The year is 2023, and how many times have you heard someone you know say “There’s no good music out there anymore…” well we thoroughly disagree, however, to test that concept we thought we would head to the biggest global showcase for new and emerging music the industry has to offer.
So, we got ourselves on a flight and headed to Austin, Texas in the grand old USA to check out SXSW Festival in all its glory…
It seems we brought the British weather with us as it was overcast and raining for the most part, however the light shone bright when it came to the music on offer including a few emerging Laney artists like The Hara and James And The Cold Gun. We partnered with Fire Records of London to support their showcase at the infamous Hotel Vegas for Thursday and Saturday.
Starting with The Hara, Zack Breen (lead guitar) was travelling with a new addition to the Laney range in the form of the Ironheart Foundry Loud Pedal, the 60w ‘amp in a pedal’ gig saver and fly gig goer. Back home Zack runs a dual rig setup of two Ironheart IRT120H heads and GS412IA cabs, but of course bringing his main rig over wasn’t viable so he brought the Loud Pedal and his trusty IRT-SLS head as both can travel with no questions asked, ensuring the tone is exactly what he needs everywhere he goes.
“I can’t believe how great this Loud Pedal is, literally all the tones I need are in this, I’m using the IRT-SLS too, but I could have easily just brought the Loud Pedal as having two switchable channels on it and the Boost is all you need. Game changer mate!”
The Hara played The Velveeta Room to the east end of the city and the heart of where the action happens during SXSW. Roads closed and every venue showcasing artists made this event one of the highlighted venues. The boys from Manchester saw solid and strong support through the crowd leaving no space left unfilled come the start of their set. Frontman Josh Taylor fired the fans up, climbing up the PA stack to rapturous response, Jack Kennedy laying down the drums and synced tracks thunderously and of course our very own Zack Breen providing all the riffs and solos across a 40-minute set of banger after banger. Wrapping things up they left the stage to chants for an encore. This band are developing their sound and their new album dropping soon ensures that they are on the rise and the sky is theirs!
South Wales’ Loudest Band; James And The Cold Gun were next to put the Loud Pedal through its paces with their showcase at ’99 Trinity Street’. Late afternoon in Austin saw the highest recorded humidity of the week, an outdoor show with the heat of a hot and sweaty club show, perfect for James And The Cold Gun who thrive in these moments. They turn up, turn it up, and turn the showcase up and beyond! Loud riffs can never be beaten and these are some of the finest. Blasting through their set with the audience headbanging and moshing. Singer/Guitarist and Laney artist James Joseph grabs the mic stand, takes it into the audience and rocks out with them, a memorable performance. James’ using his new IRF Loud Pedal throughout, something he actually says has changed his ideas towards his tone.
“I feel really comfortable with the mid-level gain that the Loud Pedal is providing, I usually go for high gain but this is really suiting the style that I play, making me change my approach to the sound we make, I love this little thing!”
Rain halted play at the Fire Records showcase, electrical storms and flash floods saw people run for cover under anything they could, again, this all just adds to the madness of SXSW. A few hours later, the rain has stopped and the show carries on into the early hours of the morning. Fire Records showcase artists include new members to the Laney family like Amber Arcades, Graham Reynolds and RVG. All showcasing mighty sets with varied themes and vibes. Each show had a packed room and all who came leaving feeling full to the brim with melody, riff and energy for the next one.
Other acts that caught the eye were the brilliant Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Ist Ist, Abraham Alexander (with Laney Artist Monica Valli on guitar), Balimaya Project, Thala, Lime Party and so many more!
Here’s to a fantastic event, one that any music lover should definitely try and experience at least once in their lifetime, let’s just hope for less-British weather in 2024!
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