South by Southwest is underway in Austin, with the much vaunted music portion of the festival kicking off tomorrow. For four days, everyone who’s anyone in the music business (or hopes to be) will be playing or attending showcases at every bar, venue, church, patio and rooftop in town. If you’re already on the ground, Austinist’s interactive guide to each day’s parties and showcases can help you navigate the mayhem. Also, check back for their local take on each night’s concerts and film screenings. If you’re going to make a last-ditch effort to attend, cost be damned, you might be able to find a ride or room share at SXSW Baby!, and Craigslist Austin has plenty of questionable listings offering festival wristbands and badges for sale. If this year’s SXSW isn’t in the cards, though, you can start planning now for the Austin City Limits festival from September 14 – 16, when a smaller, but still sprawling, number of artists will play on eight different stages in Zilker Park.

– South by Southwest (official site)
– Austinist
– SXSW Baby!
– Austin City Limits Festival

On Travelistic:
– Tagged: Music
– Tagged: Festivals
– Video: Austin City Limits