While thousands of tourists have invaded Austin, Texas for the annual South by Southwest festival, showcasing the very best in film, music and technology, all eyes have been on Canadian sister power duo Tegan and Sara, who have a hectic schedule during their time here in the Lone Star state capital, with three performances under their belt already.
Sharing the stage outside of Waterloo Records with the likes of “Thrift Shop” masterminds Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on Wednesday, the duo performed for a packed parking lot venue with lines stretching around corners and spectators watching from across the street. An explosion of applause welcomed the festival darlings back for another round as soon as they strapped on their guitars and began their half-hour set.
Opening with “Back in Your Head” from 2007’s The Con, Tegan and Sara sounded comfortable and relaxed as a live act. The sisters have noticeable chemistry, great instrumental talent and near-perfect vocal abilities. After the quick “blast from the past” opener, the rest of the duo’s performance was filled with songs off their recent effort, Heartthrob, “the most commercial record of their career” with production credits by Kelly Clarkson and P!nk collaborator Greg Kurstin, which became their highest peaking release in the U.S.
After the heartbreaking “I Was A Fool”, the sisters transitioned smoothly into the album’s rumored second single, “I’m Not Your Hero“. Other album highlights such as new ex-lover anthem “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” and “Now I’m All Messed Up” were also squeezed in to please the crowd. Tegan and Sara closed their afternoon set with the album’s lead single, “Closer”, before they waved goodbye to the crowd to prepare for their next show just a few hours after.
The sisters were nervous about their fans’ reaction to their indie rock turned full-on pop change in sound, but with the numbers of music lovers waiting impatiently for the two to perform wherever they go during their SXSW stop, it looks like the fans are liking the new tunes and happy to hop along for the ride. Listen to “Now I’m All Messed Up”.