Dress up

5 bands with standout stage style — for better or for worse

When thousands of artists grace the stages of SXSW in a four-day period, certain styles begin to stand out as intrinsic to a band's identity.

We've pinpointed five buzzworthy acts whose on-stage looks made a statement — for better or for worse.

Icona Pop :: Goth chic
Best known track :: "I Don't Care"
Spotted :: Filter on Rainey Street

The DJ duo from Sweden is statuesque no matter what they're wearing, but on stage they opt for all black everything.

Usually topped off with a long trench or sheath, it comes as no surprise that Caroline (the red-headed half) once told Elle Sweden that "some clothes make you feel like a super hero."

Solange :: Buttoned-up flirt
Best known track :: "Losing You"
Spotted :: Fader Fort & Spin

Solange loves a good two-piece suit. For both her Fader and Spin performances, she wore suits that were more playful than prim and proper. Never one you'll see looking disheveled, Solange goes for sharp, tailored and fashion-forward — about the farthest from "boho" you can get.

Fashion clearly factors into her backing bands' looks as everyone wears tones and cuts complementary to the leading lady.

CharliXCX :: Fly-girl grunge
Best known track :: "Stay Away"
Spotted :: Perez Hilton's One Night in Austin

Oh, the fear we felt whilst watching CharliXCX dance wildly atop dangerously high platform sneakers.

She's single-handedly bringing the 90's fly-girl back, but with a grunge twist. Plaid hammer-pants and belly-baring crop tops were a favorite of the 20-year-old Brit throughout the SXSW circuit.

St. Lucia :: The boaters
Best known track :: "September"
Spotted :: Filter on Rainey Street

St. Lucia not only impressed us with their danceable synthy set, but with their Riviera pretty, preppy style.

Nautical stripes, layered shirts, tightly rolled, short sleeves and trim haircuts had us fanaticizing of yachting down the French Riviera with this band.

DIIV :: The little brothers
Best known track :: "Geist"
Spotted :: House of Vans at The Mohawk

Donning reversible practice jersey's, old school New York Yankees insignia, laughably large flat billed hats, these kids constantly look like they're in hand-me-downs from an early-'90s sports fanatic.

Somehow the ridiculous oversized clothing matches their lanky limbs, long stringy hair, and dream-pop rock n roll.

Solange

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Concert News

Austin icon Gary Clark Jr. to play free show launching wife's maternity pop-up

Photo courtesy of Bumpsuit

Bumpsuit is now open at the Domain Northside.

Austin icon Gary Clark Jr. is playing a free hometown show on Friday, December 13, to celebrate the opening of his wife, Nicole Trunfio's trendy maternity store, Bumpsuit. It's open now, and will be in Austin for six months.

Clark will be playing with his band: King Zapata and Elijah Ford on guitar, JJ Johnson on drums, and Dayne Reliford on backup vocals and keyboard.

They're fresh off the announcement that Clark will receive a Texas Medal of Arts, one of the highest honors a Texas artist can receive. He's known for modernizing the blues — not overwriting past traditions, but bringing the established sound into popular music people love whether they're conscious of the genre or not.

The new store's neighbor Grimaldi's Pizzeria is bringing a pop-up bar to the event, and there will also be yard games, photo opportunities, and more, according to a release.

Bumpsuit is filling an auspicious space for minimalist fashion at Domain Northside. It'll spend its tenure at 11700 Domain Blvd. Suite 120, the former site of Austin's first Skims Workshop, which has since moved on to a permanent location in the same shopping center.

The two stores are very similar in aesthetic, with Trunfio's focusing on maternity and postpartum wear. Styles are generally made in neutrals or jewel tones, and cut in extremely simple shapes.

“After spending our summer on tour as a family with Gary and his band, we are excited to end the year at Domain Northside to coincide with the opening of our Bumpsuit store,” said Trunfio in the release.

"Doors" for the (presumably outdoor) concert next to Bumpsuit neighbor Vuori (11701 Domain Blvd. Suite 154) are at 7 pm; the show starts at 8:30 pm.

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