SXSW Editor's Picks for Friday: Blasts from the past

With a full slate of well-known acts scheduled to grace stages at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX, on Friday, it might be tough for lesser-known bands to be heard over the din.

One of the night's more compelling lineups is at the KUT showcase, which will feature roots-country siren Rosie Flores, Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets, and ex-Dinosaur Jr. leader J Mascis. The festivities get underway at Cactus Cafe (Union 24th @ Guadalupe) at 8 p.m.

BoDeans will be at the Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces St.) at 11 p.m., followed by Alex Chilton of Big Star fame.

Veteran rockers The Mekons take the stage at Antone's (213 W. 5th St.) at 1 a.m. Relative newcomers Papa Roach play at The Backroom (2015 E. Riverside Dr.) at 1 a.m.

Also at 1 a.m., reunited mope-rockers American Music Club hit the stage at Bigsbys (505 E. 6th St.), and punk mainstays NOFX perform at Emo's Main Room (603 Red River St.).

And grizzled country singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson makes a can't-miss, free performance at 6 p.m. at the free Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores, which is open to the public.

Other Friday night highlights include:
New West Records' showcase at La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th St.), with Delbert McClinton, Dwight Yoakam, Drive-By Truckers and others.
Stinky Records' showcase, featuring Low Flying Owls, Singapore Sling and others, at Copper Tank (North Room) (504 Trinity St.)
Kacy Crowley at 9 p.m. at Tambaleo (302 Bowie St.)
Jessi Colter at 10 p.m. at Continental Club (1315 S. Congress Ave.)
Gary Jules at 11 p.m. at the Texas Union Theatre (Texas Union 24 @ Guadalupe)
Neal Pollack and Tammy Faye Starlite at midnight at Club de Ville (900 Red River St.)
The Polyphonic Spree at 12:45 a.m. at Stubb's (801 Red River St.)
Vue at 1 a.m. at Maggie Mae's (323 E. 6th St.)
Japan Night, featuring six acts from Tokyo, runs all night at Caribbean Lights (612-614 E. 6th St.).

Friday's SXSW Links:
Click here to visit the SXSW homepage.
Click here for a printable list of Friday's SXSW performance schedule.
Click here for a printable venue map.