Friday 14 March

SXSW's first ever classical music event, Reichs, Rags and Movies, took place in St David's Episcopalean church. Hosted by Boosey & Hawkes, groovy church staff in psychedelic tie die t-shirts sold brownies, whilst canapes were handed out. The hall is a simple, high ceilinged wooden clad room, the perfect backdrop for some of the most famous contemporary classical pieces every written. An occasional dull thud outside reminded you that there indie Valhalla was in full swing all over the city, but it was never enough to disrupt the sense of zen calm and sanctuary. Reich's minimalist pieces have seen him hailed as the godfather of techno and certainly watching Piece For Five Blocks of Wood, in which five players bash away on five wood blocks, it was clear to see where so much of the theatrical, tribal, rhythmic and percussion-based music that has dominated this year's festival has it's origins. "We play 'new' music", said Jason Reiting of So Percussionists, the group performing a programme that also included works by John Adams, "apparently SXSW has never had any music, which is kind of funny.'

Speaking to Reich after the event about whether he was a SXSW virgin he joked, "Well, I'm 71, so, it'd be weird if I was a virgin but, yes, it's my first time here. The next day in an interview discussion with Thurston Moore the urbane Reich admitted one of the festival's more bizarre revelations, other than Lou Reed claiming that the Bourne Ultimatum was his favourite film of all time, that he and John Cage had once run a removal van service together.

8pm, Friday 14 March

Snapped up in the UK by Moshi Moshi, Swedish popster Lykke Li is unsigned in the US, making her one of the hot 'ones-to-watch' and sure enough, despite it being her third show of the day, there was an A&R crush at this small gig in a street corner club. Dressed in black apart from a stripy cardigan, she was wearing enough silver bling around her neck to sink a ship. These turned out to be a kazoo, finger cymbals and sleigh bells - the kind of clever, unaffectedly 'cool' touch that, along with her knack for a brilliantly simple and catchy pop song, should (if there's any justice) see her be bigger than Madonna. Backed only by drum, accordian and acoustic guitar, her star quality and arsenal of pop-classics-in-waiting saw her gather and keep (no mean feat at SXSW) a crowd so large, that passers by ended up sitting down on the pavement outside to listen.

7pm, Friday 14 March

Sat on a bar stool, playing to a largely empty room, Welsh songtress Cate Le Bon, couldn't have appeared more peeved if an actual thunder cloud had appeared and started raining just on her. SXSW can be a tough gig. High expectations are often met with a tumbleweed audience, a crappy PA or two other louder bands playing next door. Also performing with hype band, Neon Neon, it must have been quite an anticlimax. Le Bon's mood only added to her appeal though. No crap. Just beautiful, bittersweet songs by someone who might possibly be a fan of Leonard Cohen. Bathed in neon light from a building over the road, as she muttered, "Got another cheery one for you"...then launched into 'These are hard times to fall in love', a small but spellbound audience, including Super Furry Animal's lead singer Gruff Rhys, knew they'd seen something special. PG

4pm, Friday 14 March

The preppy New Yorkers Vampire Weekend arrived on a tide of 'the next big thing publicity'. Playing at a party hosted by ultra trendy Spin magazine, there was an expectant but self-conscious crowd. Neverthless the boys in their cardigans did their best, though you'd imagine they'd rather be in the Upper West Side apartments talking philosophy and polyrhythms. Jerky single A-Punk even caused the free popcorn to be thrown confetti like in the air. PG

9pm, Thursday 13 March

The baby-faced Jens Lekman is a number one seller in his home country, Sweden. Backed by a female trio on violin, cello and bongo and Bathed in blue light, his witty, sweet pop is like a lemon sorbet to the SXSW's more typical beardy, BBQ-flavoured rock, think Jonathan Richman or Belle and Sebastian with a lounge/disco twist. He hasn't cracked the UK yet, but is a star here and the night is filled with the sound of the beaming crowd singing along. In classic SXSY style, in a backroom bar in the same venue, New York's 'drill' rockers, Parts and Labour, try to beat world records for fast-guitar playing. A kind of Green Day or Motorhead on speed, it's quite a contrast. PG

6pm, Thursday 13 March

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