Dragons for everyone!
Immersive Game of Thrones experience is coming to SXSW for a bloody good time
Resisting the urge to make a winter is coming reference, all we'll say is Game of Thrones is coming. (Dang, didn't work.) The HBO smash is popping up in Austin March 7-9, and planning on having a bloody good time will in town.
Bleed for the Throne, in partnership with the American Red Cross, is part interactive experience, part volunteer effort, and is billed as "the largest blood donation promotional effort by an entertainment company in American Red Cross history."
After donating blood, attendees to the Fair Market event can walk in the steps of Game of Thrones characters who famously "bled for the Iron Throne," reliving their experiences on the show. Those who receive an audience with the Iron Throne will be thus rewarded for their bravery. (Donors also get a T-shirt, while supplies last.)
"In partnership with the American Red Cross, HBO is inviting fans to prove their devotion and Bleed For The Throne — a gesture worthy of one of the biggest shows in television, and one designed to harness the cultural power of Westeros to help end blood shortages in the real world," HBO said in a release.
Though the SXSW activation will be the largest, it's part of global marketing campaign in support Game of Thrones' eighth — and final — season. Events will be held around the U.S. and across the world, popping up in Norway, Sweden, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, Hungary, and Poland, to name a few.
“We are incredibly excited to mobilize the global army of Game of Thrones fans to make a positive impact on the world” said Zach Enterlin, executive VP of program marketing at HBO. “We’re creating a unique platform to engage our tremendously passionate fanbase, and ultimately showcase the bravery and valor of those fans who will go so far as to bleed for the throne."
Those feeling both brave and altruistic can make an appointment to bleed for the throne (and to save lives) here, and those who can't donate blood can still access parts of the experience. But don't wait long; appointments are expected to fill up quickly.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri