Free Week with Sweet Limb and Blah Spa

Emma Paff 

Music Journalist  

Free week began in Austin at Emos in 2003, as a way to keep the venue up and running during the slower winter months. 23 years later, the tradition spread across Red River Street. This year, 12 different venues hosted local musicians and bands allowing concert seekers to enjoy live music with no entry fee. My first Free Week began around 9pm on Friday, January 9th.  

A cool breeze comforted the vibrant streets of Austin, as my friend and I waited in line outside of Stubbs. After about 25 minutes of hearing the muted instruments through the brick wall, we were granted entry.  

Walking past the restaurant area, a crowd was formed leaning over the upstairs railing. Bodies swayed gently as Paige Plaisance’s voice, that she perfectly described as “Swampytonk” in an interview with Austin CBS, filled my ears. The stairs leading down to the stage produced a smaller area than I had expected. People were packed all the way down to the bar area. We caught the very end of her set, watching from the back of the crowd as her band, “The Yeah You Right Boys,” played the song “Bayou Moon”.  

After Paige’s set, the crowd cleared out a bit, allowing my friend and I to get closer to the stage. Looking around, Stubb’s was filled with a good range of people looking to be anywhere from 18 to their late 40’s. With hands wrapped around their drinks, there was a carefree energy that liberated the room. I soaked up the feeling of being unburdened as the next act began fine tuning their instruments.  

Sweet Limb, led by Chris Robinson, seemed to have one mission by coming on stage- to get the crowd moving. They mixed soft cymbal crashes with the smooth strings of the guitar to create the ultimate lo-fi hip-hop experience. Every track was allotted by a small explanation by Robinson. He covered sensitivity during his opening song, “” Heart on A Shelf” and anxious attachment accompanied by mesmerizing guitar riffs on the song “What We Gon Be?”. Photographers lit up the stage and the crowd during their performance of “Down In ATX”. The crowd, buzzing with locals, was filled with pride during that track with everyone moving and ad libbing right back at him. 

My favorite track from Sweet Limb was “Soul”. Featuring his feathery singing voice and R&B back instrumentals, this song had me entranced in the rhythm of the audience. Robinson’s footwork combined with his calm but inviting energy was perfect for warming up the crowd. 

Stubbs were packed for their closing act, Blah Spa. I’d been hearing whispering about them all night. As the art punk band took the stage, I could immediately feel the comradery and excitement dripping off of them. Their lead vocalist Alex Arendt was smiling and laughing alongside guitarist Marshall Sales.  

They opened their track, “Dance with Me,” from their latest album Hyper Wellness. Their explosive energy coupled with Erica Sorensen’s tambourine had the whole venue bouncing. They kept the energy alive playing with their next two tracks, “Next Level,” and “Anything to get it.”  

My favorite part of their set was watching guitarist Marshall Sales head bang and dance around the stage. His enthusiastic moves were captivating; there was never a still moment.  

With Alex Burton crashing the hi-hats of the drums, a small pit opened at the front during their song, “Get Lost in It.” People were jumping and pushing each other around as Arendt leaned over the stage while singing into his microphone.  

Blah Spa’s music has an experimental intensity. The backing vocals/ percussive instruments from Sorensen and the fast-paced instrumentals are exhilarating. They were the cherry blossoms on top of my free week.