Xander Harris Criticizes the Audiences of the Austin Music Scene

August 1, 2016, 7:20am

In a series of tweets, synth pop and disco musician Justin Sweatt, who performs as Xander Harris, criticized the current state of music listeners on the Austin music scene. “Playing Austin is not fun and a little frustrating. Only place where ppl talk over yr set,” wrote the Austin-based musician. Sweatt went on to describe the current scene as a, “entitled tech bro playground,” that has changed dramatically over the last couple of years.

It’s not all bad news. Sweatt praised the fact that people are now discovering the city’s synth music scene. “Like unreal. Finally! Only took 7 years,” he wrote.

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Read Harris’ entire set of tweets below. In July, we premiered an exclusive stream of the new Xander Harris album.

I will say, this weekend was awesome. I wanted to keep going. I used to hate playing live but now I love it. And now I’m restless.
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016

Having said that, gonna have an honesty moment: playing Austin is not fun and a little frustrating. Only place where ppl talk over yr set
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016

Like fucking constantly. Or the arms crossed and go ‘never heard of you’. This town has become an entitled tech bro playground.
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016

It used to not be like that. Hilariously, I’ve noticed a drop off at shows here. Most people want 15$ drinks and a Spotify playlist. Boring.
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016

I know, the sin. Don’t tell the outsiders that Austin is full of shit. I’ll be burned in the Wicker Man by morning.
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016

I will say thankfully people are finding out about the synth music here, lots of amazing shit. Like unreal. Finally! Only took 7 years.
— Xander Harris (@SynthXndrHarris)August 1, 2016