XP

The six-act lineup at the Avant-Garde Bar on Saturday was certainly a diverse one in terms of approach. Here's the first three acts: Paris Hilton (a team up between Akisakila and if then do), Crystal Eagles (the nom de noise of Fluorescent Friends' Christie Watson) and Christina Carter of Charalambides fame.

Paris Hilton. If this gang has any sex videos, they can keep them to themselves.



Unfortunately I failed to capture the full glory of their Tinkerbell cutout.



There were some interesting moments and some floor-shaking low end, but I have to say I've enjoyed shows by if then do and Akisakila more.
Crystal Eagles made his noise by manipulating various looped noises and feed back. He also brought a couple of glowing, blinking things. I don't know if they added anything to the music, but extra points for presentation.



Feedback at work.



I only got one good picture of Ms. Carter (actually, Ms. Madonia these days) as she used slide, delay and her lovely voice.



I prefer the work of Charalambides but it was still good.

Taylor made

Akisakila took the middle slot in Friday's festivities with some loud computer-assisted drone, looped vocals and electronically bowed guitar. The group is a duo: Joshua James Bastien and Shub Roy.

As above ... Joshua.



So below: Shub.



Under observation from one of Sunburned Hand of The Man's guitarists.



Hard at work!



They made a very effective opener to Sunburned Hand of The Man, despite their markedly different tools of the trade. I'm looking forward to seeing them again.

• Show reminder: Julie Doiron, Snailhouse and Sarah Hallman play Club SAW tonight. Those with stranger tastes can check out Daiquiri, The TunaHelpers (they're from Austin, so they must be weird!) at Zaphod's. I think I'll go see The Golden Dogs, Clothes Make the Man and Iconoclast at Mavericks; I dig what I heard of the Dogs' rootsy pop on their website.