Celebrities in Austin for SXSW 2018 – Part 2
April 2, 2018 |
By Dani Dudek
SXSW 2018

As previously stated in part one of the post by this same name, each year we compile a master list of all the celebrities attending SXSW 2018 (you’re welcome).

And each year, the list gets bigger, as SXSW continues to add additional programming options like sports, comedy and TV episodics.

There is absolutely no way we could see them all. However, we did accomplish quite a bit in weekend one, which you review right here.

And now, without further adieu, here are ATXgossip’s top celebrity sightings for the remainder of SXSW 2018.

MONDAY

Monday began with a trip down under. OK, so maybe it was simply a trip to the Australia House, which was PACKED for a chat with High Jackman about his Laughing Man Coffee line.

Meanwhile, across town, Mark Hamill attended the screening of The Director and the Jedi and was later seen out and about on Rainey Street.

Unfortunately, we missed Luke Skywalker while we were traipsing about on Rainey, stopping in at the Bose House, where we saw no celebs, but we did get to preview some amazing new products that are coming soon.

From there it was random pop ins on Rainey Street and up to Red River where we swung by the DC Comics installation and tried Family Business Beer for the first time. That reminds me, I need to plan a trip out to the new brewery STAT. In case you aren’t aware, the local microbrew is owned by Jensen Ackles of Supernatural fame. Read more about it here.

The Vevo party was next. Olivia Noelle opened the night, followed by Jade Bird, and capped with a performance from Miley Cyrus’ little sis Noah Cyrus. Miley was not in town, however, big sis Brandy was.

We bolted over to GSD&M from there to catch the final set of that party from Lukas Nelson, son of Willie.

We missed the red carpet and screenings of The Last OG and Most Likely to Murder over at the Paramount and Stateside. However we did get a chance to interview the director of MLTM prior to the fest. See what he had to say here.

TUESDAY

The plan was to take a little time off on Tuesday. That is, until I realized the This Is Us panel was scheduled for Tuesday. It did not disappoint. Justin Hartley, Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia were charming as ever. It was definitely the highlight of my day.

A quick stop at the Viceland event followed where people were lined up to hold and pet baby goats. I stand by my statement that those goats probably hate us.

Snagged a tasty cup of coffee from Briggo before heading back home to get some work done.

By happy hour time, I was ready for more so I set out for the BMI Howdy Texas party at the Yeti Flagship store, where we ran into longtime pal Lauren Petrowski from FOX 7’s Good Day Austin.

Enjoyed some tunes with Larkin Poe and Rayland Baxter before heading back to GSD&M for Ray Benson’s birthday party.

Everyone was hoping for a big surprise appearance (since George Strait showed up in the past).

But, alas, the final performed to join Ray and Asleep at the Wheel on stage was the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which is nothing to shrug at.

Before calling it a night, we stopped by the Media Temple Interactive Closing Night Party at Stubbs where Steve Aoki took center stage.

Wu Tang, whom we had missed at the FOX Sports event over the weekend, was also on hand.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday, we really did take things easy. In fact, the remainder of the fest was pretty low key (in regards to our usual standards, that is).

Almost the entire day was spent at the Pandora House.

It started with a country set from Devin Dawson and Walker Hayes, where we once again crossed paths with our country loving pal Lauren Petrowski.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWFzDbDN3n/?taken-by=atxgossip

Also saw this guy stopped for picture by a group of excited fans.

Anybody know who this dude is?

After a quick break for dinner at Moonshine, we returned to catch sets from Salt Cathedral, Saweetie and Kalela.

Since we were busy checking out music, we missed the screening of Hearts Beat Loud. However, I did find this stellar pic of Nick Offerman on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgWH3OKDwWs/?taken-by=atxgossip

THURSDAY

Thursday contained a mix of SXSW music and non-festival related meetups with friends.

A quick trip to Fader Fort kicked off our afternoon, followed by Feedbands Dash Fest at Cenote. While learning about the cryptocurrency concept, whether they could be the currencies of the future, how people are using the currencies currently as well as much more into the subject It has be pretty interested and I might find myself eventually wanting to Bitcoin mit PayPal kaufen or through other exchanges. When bitcoin was first unveiled, I don’t think people would have thought that it would catch out. All these years later, however, and it’s still around and is responsible for making some people millionaires. It’s got me wondering if now actually is the time to Bitcoin kaufen as they say. We also enjoyed 25 cent tacos and beers and tunes from Shrugboat before heading over to the Rachael Ray Greenhouse to pick up our bands.

While there, we figured we should at least check out the scene before heading elsewhere, so we grabbed a free Deep Eddy drink, played with some puppies and stuck our arms in a mystery hole for a free tattoo.

Don’t worry, it was fake. Thanks to Adrienne Schlow for the fab design.

From there, it was back to the Pandora House to rock out to newcomer Harry Hudson, followed by Pale Waves.

Southwest Invasion at Whole Foods was up next. We got there just in time to catch the final set of the day from Larkin Poe. As much as we love that band, it was the Stranger Things photo op from Schwinn that we most enjoyed.

Those non-SXSW related activities followed, which included pit stops at Key Bar and Rustic Tap, where Taylor Kitsch was spotted two days later.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfPBHijjAs/?taken-by=atxgossip

Finally, it was back yet again to Pandora for a quick tune from Dashboard Confessional before calling it a night.

FRIDAY

A meander down Rainey Street started our Saturday. Popped into the Showtime House at Clive to snag some The Chi swag and a free compilation vinyl from Collide.

Spotted “Captain” Kirk Douglas from the Roots on our way out.

Frank Turner at the Pledge House at Blackheart was up next.

Meanwhile. Jesse Plemons was spotted by pals at a low key gathering over on the East Side.

We were hoping to get to the premiere of Blaze, but couldn’t make it over. I did see that Ethan Hawke dined at one of my old haunts earlier in the day.

This pic was posted by Curra’s Grill on Facebook.

Our evening was spent at Rachael Ray’s Greenhouse where we rocked out to Tennessee Jet, The Teskey Brothers and Naked Giant, who had us feeling all kinds of retro with their hair band style of rock.

SATURDAY

We were up bright and early on Saturday for the FINAL St. Patrick’s day gathering at Fado. As usual, Jason and Deb were broadcasting live for 101X (with Doug Benson by their side).

Over on Rainey, we spotted Shanola Hampton and Steve Howey from Shameless posing for pics with fans outside the Showtime House at Clive Bar.

From there, it was a full day of Rachael Ray, first at her Stubbs party and then at her Greenhouse.

Enjoyed tunes from Austin’s own Bob Schneider, The Cringe (fronted by Rachael’s hubby John Cusimano), Girl Talk and Salt-N-Pepa.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgnRIZeAz53/?taken-by=atxgossip

Upon arrival to the Greenhouse later that day, Ray greeted fans, took selfies and chatted, which we have not seen happen in year’s past.

As she sailed by, I thanked her for the party and she shook my hand and said, “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.”

Later, she and pals were front and center for another set from The Cringe.

The Commonheart, Joshua Hedley and Durand Jones & The Indications also played.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Dogs premiere was happening across town with Bill Murray in attendance, who was spotted outside the Driskill earlier in the day reciting a poem.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgeOOnKDELD/?taken-by=atxgossip

We planned to end the night at the Bud Light sponsored party where The Roots were headlining. Unfortunately, that show was cancelled due to a bomb threat.

Instead, we got to bed at a somewhat decent time so that we could bright eyed and bushy tailed for brunch the following day.

On way to brunch, I spotted this sign and Shangril La which completely sums up the way I was feeling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bgeja_aDbVl/?taken-by=shangrilaaustin

SXSW, I love you so, but I also love it when you go. That’s because I need 365 days to prepare for next year, which is already fraught with controversy. Whether it coincides with Spring Break or not, we’ll be there. So count on ATXgossip to bring you all the celebrity scoop!


Want to read more about Ausin festivals?

The Moontower Comedy Fest is coming up on April 18. Check out the best moments from the 2017 fest here.

The ATX Television Festival is happening June 7 through 11. Read all about the fun facts we learned at the very first fest here.

Austin City Limits Music Festival happens October 5 to 7 and 12 to 14. The celeb sightings were aplenty at last year’s event. See all the pics here.