One of the most interesting moments of SXSW for me so far happened not inside a venue but outside on the corner of 6th and Congress. Here, a duo of xylophone players from Africa are joined by a local clarinetist named Roy Coon in a completely unplanned collaboration. The mixture of raw percussion and melodic woodwind sounds evoked a number of passersby’s to gather round. And this street session was made possible initially because of the clarinetist’s curiosity.

“I just saw them on the corner and I asked if I could join along,” Coon tells me as he packs up his clarinet. He adds that the situation was just like going up and talking to people he thinks look cool—it’s that easy.

Walking down 6h St. there’s countless other performers posted up, hoping to make a little dough and get exposure or just simply entertain the throngs of people walking the strip back and forth. Another memorable ongoing performance came from a group of Asian drummers who joyously move up and down the strip in a circular formation, inspiring spectators to follow their marching line.

Of course many of these musicians are local—notably drummer Jimmy Way who plays with vigor on a portable drum kit attached to his bike. But when people come from as far as Africa, or domestically as far as Albany, New York, like indie folk group Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned, the variety of talent is even more incredible.
Music isn’t the only draw on the street either as juggling mimes, guys twirling light sticks, and a mobile kissing booth with three girls called Janky and Cuties all add to the randomness of the 6th St. experience. That said it’s time to get back on the street and see what oddity is being offered today.

Words by Max Herman, Photos by Dustin Downing