The Grates
The promise of SXSW is always tempered by the feeling of weariness of standing for hours on end, waiting in line, fighting crowds, and subjecting yourself willingly to a barrage of amplified sound for hours at a time. By the time the Grates rolled on stage at the Parish, I was flagging and almost ready to turn in for the night; however, Patience Hodgson was the jolt of energy that I needed.
The Grates have been described as a friendlier, cheerier Australian version of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I believe the comparison is due in a large part to the stage presence of their frontwomen. Lead singer Patience Hodgson, wearing a polka dot dress and striped socks, jump-kicks, pogos, bounces, flounces, and flies all over the stage with boundless energy. I wasn't sure what to expect from the Grates but they were just what I needed. And it doesn't hurt that the tunes are catchy as well. I've got "19 20 20" stuck in my head still! Stream it at Myspace.
Photographs on this site are © Kathryn Yu. Don't steal.
