SXSW: The Walkmen at Stubb's

New York-based indie rockers The Walkmen kicked off the first night of music at the NPR-sponsored SXSW showcase at Stubb's, setting the stage for the evening's headlining act, Spoon.

With the help of serious mood lighting, the established outfit rocked through several songs from their forthcoming album, though the audience seemed less energetic than would be expected. On a couple of occasions, an eight-piece horn section joined in from stage right, adding a deeper dimension to the group’s showcase.

"Canadian Girl," one track from the band's 2008 release "You & Me," featured the added horns, while "In the New Year," a usual Walkmen anthem of sorts, went seemingly unrecognized by the less-than-amped crowd. With sounds reminiscent of Coldplay at times, it's possible the set proved to be a tad too mellow for those in attendance with little prior knowledge of the band.