Gonna keep this final day recap to the point. Since things got off to a late start and we’re past SXSW enough that this is more of a relevant discoveries post, I’ll format it as such, roughly. Here are the highlights of my final day:

Demob Happy: I saw this band during my first and only visit to the British Embassy venue. Publicist Ashley DiBuduo of A12 Entertainment and Steph Maskimow of Catalyst PR were there (I met them earlier in the week at the Catalyst showcase) and Ashley informed me that Demob Happy were in her top 10 bands to catch that week. She listened to EVERY BAND playing officially. Impressive. Her suspicious of the UK group’s quality were on point – the band rocked the crowd with fervor despite a long time soundchecking. I’ve searching the interwebs for some records – but seemingly none are available in the US. Darn!

The Gills: I met the guitarist of this band when he was filling in as a touring member of Abandon Kansas. The band played very loud rock and roll music that Columbus native Spenser Wilson seemed to dig (the Columbus scene native moved to Austin last year and was volunteering at this showcase). The expansive room and sparse crowd made the echoes a little overbearing, but the band played a fun set in spite of their drummer being under the weather. If you’d like to read more about The Gills check out my album review of their self-titled release here.

Mainland: This band, unbeknownst to me until SXSW – played their first Columbus gig at Brothers Drake Meadery and were booked by Tuned Up friend April Kulscar. My college friend Chet Mancini (whom I shared a dorm floor with my freshman year) is currently roommates with one of the members, and recommended I check them out. They ended up playing one of my favorite sets of SXSW. Frontman Jordan Topf sang their catchy, radio ready, triumphant tunes with confidence and the band was so incredibly tight. I probably enjoyed the songs themselves the most of any new band I heard this year. These guys have big things coming. Them touring with Jukebox the Ghost and Marianas Trench is a great start.

The Wet Secrets: What do you get when you combine Canada, attitude, marching band uniforms, and punk? Something along the lines of the Wet Secrets. Longtime follower of Tuned Up Andrew Jones of Checkered Owl Media bugged me about seeing them last year and I didn’t make it out to a set, so I was sure to close out my 2016 SXSW with a memorable set. My fatigue (both literal and general weariness of crowds) threatened to overcome me but even so I have to admit that the band puts on an entertaining show. “I Can Swing a Hammer” is instantaneously memorable. Everything about this band is fun and quirky. The party-ready rock songs. The matching outfits. The coordinated dance moves. The ironically stoic expressions and movements of the keyboardist and drummer. This band definitely needs more press.