The music festival to see and be seen at held annually in Austin, Texas, South by SouthWest (SXSW), is always a jam-packed flurry of music performances, A-List parties and gift suites to attend. This year, CARRERA Sunglasses Escape returns to SXSW for its third consecutive year in a row due to popular demand. Also, LA’s the Place brings you the highlights of UV Vodka hosted Diesel Island Dinner and the Express Rocks! Music Lounge with UV Vodka.
CARRERA Sunglasses Escape Highlights
Taylor Momsen with Liz Phair
Gossip Girl starlet Taylor Momsen, dressed in a tight white dress and clear sky-high heels, discussed her recent career transformation from actress to musician backstage at CARRERA Sunglasses Escape during the Samsung Focus™ Concert, telling onlookers that it’s better to stick to one thing.
Taylor arrived to play at SXSW for the first time, greeting fans from a backstage balcony by waving to them while they waited in line to enter the venue. While performing her song “Just Tonight,” Taylor made a shout out to all the beautiful ladies in the audience and even brought one on stage for a quick unplanned dance routine.
The Pretty Reckless singer, influenced by Debbie Harry, seems to know her stuff, giving clear direction to the stage manager during rehearsals regarding vocal needs for her performance. She hung out with her band members for four hours in her dressing room, where she was later joined by artist Liz Phair, before taking the stage. The two compared wild music festival experiences and gave kudos to each other’s work.
Ben Nemtin from MTV’s “The Buried Life” and Whitney Port’s beau was at the SXSW enjoying a boys’ weekend. He dropped by the CARRERA Sunglasses Escape at the Samsung Focus™ Concert to pick out a pair of white Carreras for their next adventure to Miami for the Ultra Music Festival. Although his lady was not by his side for this trip, she was mentioned in conversation when asked which sunglass style Whitney prefers he wear. He flashed his pearly whites in an infectious grin at the mention of her name.
Nate, Igor and Smith DrivenbyBoredom.com
Notable Attendees: Taylor Momsen & Pretty Reckless, Jamie Burke, Ben Nemtin, Perez Hilton, NERVO, Frankmusik, MNDR, Selah Sue, Zowie, Kids of 88, Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe, Liz Phair, Oh Land, Dirty Vegas.
UV Vodka at Express Rocks! Music Lounge
B.o.B, in high spirits, attended the Express Rocks! Music Lounge. Sipping on a tasty UV Vodka cocktail, the “Beautiful Girls” singer made his way across the room snapping photos with the ladies, getting into the festival vibe with a little dancing, and playing around with friends, making them try on his sunglasses. He was overheard saying he had a late night, arriving back to his hotel at 6 am. Just before leaving, Cisco Adler showed up and was greeted with a high-five – the boys posed for a photo and began talking about Cisco’s recent vacation to Mexico.
Notable Attendees: B.o.B, Cisco Adler, Neon Hitch, Chromeo, A-Trak, Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe, The Sounds, Diamond Rings, Neon Tree.
Diesel Island Dinner
SXSW veteran Mischa Barton was spotted chatting it up with various band members throughout the Diesel Island Dinner, with a UV Vodka cocktail in hand, she made her way around to greet each table. Frazzled about the recent paparazzi hounding, Mischa felt Austin was a reprieve from all the LA craziness. She was relaxed, enjoying herself, and was anticipating seeing Duran Duran perform. The music lover comes every year and she always has a list of anticipated picks she wants to see.
Notable Attendees: Mischa Barton, B.o.B, A-Trak, Chromeo, Theophilus London, Perez Hilton, Bam Margera, Ellie Goulding, Blaqstarr, Mia Moretti, Local Natives.
Photo Credit for all images except B.o.B.: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
Photo Credit for B.o.B image: Nate Igor Smith – drivenbyboredom.com
