Though I'd listened to Grizzly Bear before this show I have to admit I wasnt really a fan. Not to say I didn't like them, I just hadn't made it out of my way to seek them out. Wow do I feel stupid now. How could I have not noticed that their vocal harmonies alone are enough to just sit and listen to for hours. The somewhat distant sound present on their albums (as if they were singing in the next room) is collapsed when you are standing only a few feet away. Really I can't say enough about how gorgeous the harmony was. Beyond this I also remember thinking that their sound is something like what you would get if you took a 60's pop/rock band to Hawaii and taught them what lo-fi was: bright, mellow and delicate all at the same time.
The boys also struck me as quite genuine, smiling gracious and thanking the venue and all the other bands playing along with them. They seemed comfortable (Daniel Rossen even removed his shoes- but I think this might be typical) and happy on stage, smiling frequently between songs and exchanging sideways glances to one another. Chris Taylor, whose blond curl could make Shirley temple jealous, also seemed rather excited to introduce Victoria Legrand of Beach House on the song "two weeks" as they could take advantage of the fact that SXSW does indeed bring many, many bands together.
