I didn’t get to go to the South by Southwest sweat-a-palooza this year and was only teased by stories of heated dance parties, 72 hours of drinking, good vibes and music overload. SXSW has earned a reputation for offering an extended arm of chance to the mass amounts of bands that pour in each year, working their often entire young careers for the chance someone will notice them.

The performance toll is astounding, offering up groups from here to Australia, dabbling in electronic, rock, experimental, hip-hop and every fusion of the lot. However, you would never know it by the new DVD.

Featuring performances from only two venues and 18 bands, the “behind-the-scene” interviews offer no saving grace as they also deal exclusively with the 18 bands featured. The majority of bands chosen for the DVD merge mainstream and are only featured performing their radio hit. The interviews follow suit, rehashing band experiences or history that’s done more justice in Rolling Stone.

While the quality of the film is crisp and clean, utilizing multi-camera set ups and calling attention to expensive panning and crane shots, the overwhelming energy and spirit of the festival is lost. Although it would be impossible to cover everyone at this massive event, SXSW Live 2007 doesn’t even appear to try.

Indie, experimental, “avant-garde” or whatever you want to call it, guys in tight jeans have gotten more than their fair share of the spotlight. This DVD only perpetuates this trend, offering no insight or inspiration as to what amazing musical creators lie on our horizon. No grey cloud is without its silver lining though, and watching Peter Bjorn and John physically produce “Young Folks’” myriad of whistles and hums is it.

Grade: C

SXSW Live 2007 is currently available.