SXSW Review: Beach House at Cedar Street Courtyard

The dream pop of Baltimore, MD, duo Beach House appeals to more than just Pitchfork Media, as evidenced by the throng of people milling about outside of their SXSW set last Friday night (3/20).

Despite the well-known rule of SXSW badgeholders and wristband-wearers getting priority entrance into festival showcases, hundreds of ready-to-pay fans formed a line wrapping through the Warehouse District in anticipation of the lineup including Beach House and Brooklyn indie act Grizzly Bear.

Taking the stage with the unusual addition of a drummer, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally kicked off their 40-minute set with "Gila," a "Twin Peaks"-like track that fit the abnormal space, an outdoor stage and small courtyard squished between the ivy-covered brick walls of infringing bars.

Overheard in the crowd: "This is stoner pop for girls"--perhaps a fitting tagline considering the breezy melodies, deep dreamlike vocals and the undeniable scent of marijuana wafting through the air.

The popularity of the laid-back East Coast band packed the venue, ultimately leading to the alleged violation of fire codes and resulting in the Austin Police Department stepping in and enforcing capacity limits, though not before the spacey duo and temporary drummer finished up their set. The finale, "Master of None," left the show on a fairly upbeat note, or at least as upbeat as a sleepy, slightly stoned listener can get.