There are a plethora of people, places, events and moments that “Keep Austin Weird.” What keeps Austin weirder? South By Southwest. Even heading out each day expecting to see the unexpected, one can be entirely taken off-guard by the truly remarkable instances that present themselves in this normally laid-back Texas city of Austin. On East 6th Street you have the subset of bars boasting a delicious blend of local live music and local unpredictable characters. At SXSW, that already high level of general chaos is sky-rocketed with the over-concentration of branding that is thrusted upon the conference goers. Seeing Captain Crunch dancing with a team of flashdancers was amusing, but alarming not that jarring.

Although the promo money does not stop with the Interactive, crowd. The “Spring Breakers” premiere party not only showcased a spread of neon flip flops, beach pails and bright solo cups, they also had three ski-mask clad bikini babes reminiscent of the trio from the film.

From rubbing shoulders with some of the most innovative and brilliant thinkers in the world to drinking a beer with some of Hollywood’s most elite talent at a dive bar, the interesting people that you can meet (if you open yourself up to it) is endless. Though everyone is constantly looking down at their cell phones to get directions to the next panel or party, if you keep your head up long enough you are bound to see a unique brand of “weird” that both energizes and surprises even the most veteran of SXSW attendees. And the weirdness is what keeps us coming back.

Standard Austin Bar Decorations