As the sun began to set on Austin yesterday, a few things were made very clear:

1.     Beer was not running low

2.     Music was getting louder

3.     People were showing up in insurmountable proportions

At times, it seemed a wonder even one more body could fit into any given venue, and yet when they play, the crowd will come. And while the names of Dave Grohl, Justin Timberlake and Wayne Coyne were floating around the streets in buzzed excitement, we were in search for the best new bands who were pouring their abilities into the atmosphere – by God, did we find them.

That’s the great thing about a band like The Weeks. They’re ready for it – they want it. The young long hairs from Mississippi are incredibly personable, likable and intelligent. They wear their state proudly on their arms and they discern a great bit about the South’s ability to leave impressions. This is exactly what is reflected in their music . When they brace the stage, they are magnetic.

As a set of twins and friends from childhood (if you want to call it such a thing, they’re still twenty-two years old) it seems their connectivity is unstoppable. They’ve welcomed esteemed keyboardist Alex Collier to their line up and it’s a beautiful call. The 4-minute track “The House We Grew Up In,” highlighted just what this band came to do at SXSW – speak their music with authenticity. It’s refreshing seeing the young band, signed to Kings of Leon’s label Serpents and Snakes, take the wheel for a new generation of southern-indie rockers.

We made it over to The Moody Theatre in the late evening to enjoy the dynamite duo of Lucius. If you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the spelling binding abilities of these Brooklyn ladies, it is about damn time you do. Lead singers Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe act as one melodic voice with the power of two haunting souls apart of the five-member piece. Their outfits are impeccable and matching, but there is no gimmick to their attire. In fact, it is just the opposite. They use their ensemble as a part of the visceral experience of their highly energetic melodies. “We started making music because we wanted something we could dance to,” Holly offers. When the track that we’d go as far to call an anthem, “Turn It Around” comes on, it pulses through the room. As a commanding heartbeat, the track leaves the crowd in utter disbelief at how musically gifted this young band is. We expect only perfect, yes, we’re going to say perfect things to come from the powerhouse of Lucius.