The Black Lips have quite the reputation with their live shows, and tonight’s show in Austin, Texas certainly didn’t disappoint. I didn’t plan to do any SXSW coverage until I came home, but tonight’s show was just too much not to post.
They played a wild and energetic set that sent the crowd into an immediate frenzy. The security at Cedar Street Courtyard clearly aren’t trained or smart enough to handle such a crowd. As expected the show cause a wild mosh pit that sent bodies flying into each other, beers slung at all angles, and all that good stuff. Immediately it was apparent these security guards weren’t ready for this as they began jumping into the crowd mid-set, stopping some moshing and crowd surfer. A young security guard didn’t hesitate to shove a fan like a linebacker as a fan attempted to stave dive. Of course there were some people who deserved to be escorted out. However, it set the tone for the night that nothing would be accepted.
The band played an incredibly tight and fun set that was undeniably a highlight of a week of highlights so far. The crowd was really into it, and continued their ways. All of us were able to co-exist for only so long. As the band kicked into “Bad Kids”, the shit hit the fan. Things got so bad that one security guard tackled a fan from the stage taking some fans down with him. Immediately the band stopped and called out security for their hasty overreaction. They tired to kick back into it but things went back to the way they were, if not worse.
It was game over after another fan attempted to stave dive (a normal thing at punk shows) and a meat-head bouncer took a vicious swing at him that almost landed on a bunch of innocent fans in the front row. This turned the crowd into an angry mob that was ready to eat security up, also causing the band to take things into their own hand.
Cole Alexander ended up getting into the face of security and things got heated very fast, sending the band against the security guards whose job it is to protect the band. Pretty ironic, isn’t it?
The Black Lips put on a killer show that will not be forgotten. Although it got overshadowed by the chaotic finish, it proved to me that the Black Lips are willing to fight for their fans, which is a respectable thing.
The security staff at Cedar Street Courtyard should really be evaluated after tonight, and the security guard who threw a big punch should lose his job.
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