The Radio Room stage is not really an appropriate setting for a 20-member musical collective. Although only eight members of The Phenomenal Handclap Band were present for Wednesday night's SXSW performance, they were packed like sardines on the long narrow wooden stage. Amanda Tomme and Laura Marin, who shared primary vocal duties, stood center stage and whose silky vocals drifted over a steady backdrop of disco-funk dance beats. The crowd ate it up, dancing and cheering all set long. Even during Marin's silly attempt at rapping, which was more chuckle-worthy than cheer-worthy.
Late in their set, TPHCB was joined by a "good friend" (whose named escaped me), who was a little too excited to join them on stage. He proceeded to surge into the crowd, causing the mass of photographers in the front to fall over themselves trying to get "the shot." He followed this up with a ridiculous harmonica jam, much to the crowd's delight.
