DAY FOUR >>>

If Oberhofer was on the verge of making it big on the way to SXSW, his performances yesterday will push him over the edge. I caught part of his set early in the day at the Brooklyn Vegan party at Barbarella, and then his whole set later in the evening at the Noisey party at Kiss and Fly.

When I saw him last year at Squeak and Squawk, he played with a hastily thrown-together band and only ended up doing the four songs they were able to rehearse earlier in the day. It was fun, but sloppy, and didn't quite capture the energy of his record.

Now, with a full-time band and a touring schedule that includes opening for the likes of Tapes n' Tapes and Handsome Furs, Oberhofer (the band) has clearly mastered its live show. Even more propulsive and frantic than the recordings, this new Oberhofer is a ball of furious energy, full of drastic stop-start dynamics and goofy onstage theatrics like leaping off of the kick drum. It was a star-making performance.

Earlier in the evening, I caught my third Nightgowns set at SXSW-their official showcase at the Bat Bar. The stage at Bat Bar opens out onto the street behind the band. Lookers-and-dancers-on outside the bar gave the performance an odd Today Show feel. The Nightgowns were in fine form as usual, and attendance at the show included Brandt Detling from Tall Girl.

While dropping in on various other concerts, I managed to catch the first little bit of Wild Flag, whose first show I saw in Olympia last year. I had to abandon ship at the venue, the Parish, because it was so goddamn muggy and crowded. I feel bad for the people that have to perform on that stage and all the weight they lose in the process.

I ended my night on the rooftop at Maggie Mae's for the Twin Shadow show. Twin Shadow knocked it out of the park with their majestic New Wave. Lead-singer George Lewis Jr. is a born frontman-a good-looking, sharp-dressed man with remarkably expressive vocals and the ability to shred on the guitar when need be. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand and didn't disappoint.

Today, my plan is to have no plan. I'll wander around Sixth Street - zoo that it is - and see whoever catches my eye. My favorite experiences so far have included bands about whom I've never heard. Let's keep that train rolling.