SXSW: Day Two - Nick

Pit of depravity.

SXSW is a yearly event in which people spend their time and money travelling to Austin, Texas for the privilege of living like hobos and refugees while music events happen around them. It's great if you pace yourself but nobody does and everyone is tired, dehydrated and living off of truck food. Although SXSW is host to many concerts the sensation of being inside it is so overwhelming that music seems secondary or maybe even thirdary. It's hot in the day and cool in the night and you can be in what feels like a metropolis and walk for twenty minutes and suddenly feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.

This is my second daily report of the best and worst things I saw at SXSW 2013. Every musical thing on Earth happened all at once and they all did abbreviated sets that weren't mixed great so they could get to their next abbreviated set. Although it might seem like I am totally hating SXSW I am actually having a great time, I just see a lot of raw humanity around me that is more interesting than people standing on stages with musical instruments.

This poor anonymous person does not seem to be having a great time.

I went to cheer her (him?) up but it didn't seem to do much.

If only she could have noticed this guy ten feet away it would have been a total love connection. "You pass out hunched over in corners while thrash music is playing?? Awww, me too!"

I didn't know who these guys in matching outfits were, but they seemed to think I did.

Another problem with SXSW is that there are all these freed prisoners running around, chasing families and causing stirs.

This guy asked for a light and asked what I was in Texas shooting for. When I mentioned VICE, I heard this excited groan from his drunk wife who was passed out in the backseat of this car. Then he tried to puke on camera for me without asking and I had to tell him that I didn't really want him to do that.

This is Devin from DIIV. He's the only DIIV guy I really know but he's a good one. He always wears the same outfit and has the same expression. He is definitely one of the best things I saw SXSW.

This guy is seething.

The two nicest guys in rock n' roll.

After a really severe mosh pit a really good activity is to search around for coveted debris. This girl found a ring and an official badge for South By. I like them showing off their things and nails.

I cropped out this guy's face because nobody wants to look at guys' faces.

This dog was wandering around aimlessly. Poor stray dog. He reminded me of the stray people at the festival.

These motorcycle cops look like they could be out of some anime thing or a JJ Abrams movie if there was even more lens flare in this photo.

Brad Oberhofer is just a colorful and sweet dude whose bracelets from concerts he went to seems to prove that maybe SXSW is all about the music after all.

Nick Gazin is walking around Austin, Texas with a camera. He is looking for you. Also, he's on Twitter - @NicholasGazin