CIMA: Canadian Blast! Rocks Austin as Biggest Canadian SXSW Event Ever Sets the Standard for Music Fest

Fans Eagerly Await the Blast Opening!

sxsw09 - Grant Lawrence of CBC Radio 3 and Sirius

Grant Lawrence of CBC Radio 3 and Sirius 86 Introduces 2 Hours Traffic

sxsw09 - Overflow Crowd on Brush Square for Canadi

Overflow Crowd on Brush Square for Canadian Blast!

Canadian Blast! Rocks Austin as Biggest Canadian SXSW Event Ever Sets the Standard for Music Fest

3000 Delegates Cram Brush Square to see the Best of Canadian Independent Music

It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Perfect 30 degree weather.

Sunny.

A light breeze from the east.

And 5 of the best Canadian indie bands on the stage for what will be remembered as one of the largest events ever staged at this annual Spring break bash. Over 3000 delegates to the South by Southwest Music Festival filled Brush Square in Downtown Austin to hear the best of Canadian indie rock. Joined by 300 industry VIP’s and guests, they were treated to the best Canada has to offer.

And the attending delegates from around the globe weren’t disappointed as these winter-weary Canadian bands turned up the heat for a blistering 4 hour event that left everyone wanting more.

Lead off by Two Hours Traffic from PEI then Hamilton’s Arkells, followed by Vancouver’s Mother, Mother and then Montreal’s Beast, the show was closed by Edmonton’s Shout Out Out Out Out.

Those who couldn’t be there were treated to a first for a Canadian BBQ from Austin as CBC Radio3, whose host Grant Lawrence emceed the gig, webcast the event to their site, and then on Sirius Channel 86 for a North American broadcast live!

And this is just the start. Beginning tomorrow, a 3 day onslaught of Canadian talent starts with showcases at noon, 3 pm and 7 pm from El Sol y La Luna at 6^th and Red River, the heart of the festival district. Over 30 bands will showcase from noon until midnight for the duration of the Festival, as our best talent meets the world in this, the largest of the world’s festivals.

Stay tuned for more reports from Austin! And tune into Sirius 86 and CBCRadio3 on the web.

Perfection in progress.

Two Hours Traffic (from PEI)

Arkells (from Hamilton)

Mother Mother (from Vancouver)

Beast (from Montreal)

Shout Out Out Out Out (from Edmonton)