SXSW: The fest heard around the world

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Justin Vernon didn't sound happy when he found out his first of two performances Thursday afternoon at the South by Southwest Music Conference (SXSW) was being broadcast around the world.

"I thought this was just another drinking party," quipped the Eau Claire, Wis., native better known by his songwriting alias Bon Iver.

SXSW used to pride itself on invite-only events, but Thursday's schedule showed just how worldly an event the 22nd annual music marathon has become. Vernon joined other national buzz bands Vampire Weekend and Jens Lekman at National Public Radio's stage inside the Parish nightclub, where the sets were beamed worldwide via the Internet and good ol' terrestrial radio.

NPR also broadcast R.E.M.'s showcase at Stubb's BBQ late Wednesday night. The outspoken Georgian rockers debuted a crop of feisty and seethingly political songs from its hotly anticipated April 1 album, "Accelerate." Singer Michael Stipe also took a jab at SXSW's tech-oriented industry crowd, joking that "instead of clapping, people now start blogging immediately after each song."

DirecTV erected two elaborate soundstages in Austin's convention center to offer nonstop live performances on its Channel 101. Like Vernon, frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa of U.K. punk trio the Noisettes had trouble getting used to the bigger audience.

"Do any of you ladies have any lip gloss?" she asked before stepping in front of the cameras.

As the sun broke out late Thursday afternoon, two Minnesota bands happily soaked up the heat and the SXSW attention. Art-rock quintet Cloud Cult performed another live broadcast on the Current's (89.3 FM) outdoor stage, taking care to shade cellist Sarah Young's two infant children, who travel with the band.

Meanwhile, the Twin Cities band that earned a big boost at SXSW two years ago, Tapes 'N Tapes, returned to a sweaty, packed crowd inside the giant punk club Emo's.

"I think the heat stretched out my guitar strap," frontman Josh Grier complained -- with a smile on his face.