In the couple years that I've been, a highlight of SXSW has always been beloved Brooklyn DIY promoter Todd P's free, all-ages, unofficial programming—all day punk/noise/whatever showcases on the East side of town, late night shows/parties in weird spots like a pedestrian bridge. Now, Todd P has announced that his previously hinted-at counter-festival in Mexico is now official—so one less cool thing to do at SXSW, but one pretty fun looking festival if you happen to be heading down to Monterrey:

The MtyMx festival will happen on March 20th, 21st, and 22nd at Autocinema Las Torres in Monterrey, Mexico

The MtyMx festival is a collaboration between Yo Garage | http://enelgarage.com | and Todd P | http://toddpnyc.com | and will feature up to 25 bands a day for three days, playing outdoors on two stages in a beautiful drive-in movie theater on the side of a mountain in the Sierra Madre Oriental. Over one third of the bands playing are from Mexico!

Tickets are $30 for a three day pass. 75 bands!
PURCHASE TIX: http://tinyurl.com/mtymx3dtix

Confirmed bands include:

Dan Deacon*
Neon Indian (MX/TX)
No Age*
Fucked Up (CANADA)
Das Racist
Washed Out
Thee Oh Sees
Pocahaunted
Indian Jewelry (TX)
Male Bonding (UK)
Best Fwends (TX)
Banjo or Freakout (UK)
Los Fancy Free (MX)*
Los Margaritos (MX)*
dd/mm/yyyy (CANADA)
Lemonade
Quiero Club (MX)*
Los Llamarada (MX)*
Toro y Moi
Small Black
Liturgy

* indicates that the band is *not* playing at SxSW, ie. is “exclusive” to MtyMx

and many many more, along with Mexican bands, and more to be announced in the coming days.

Band sets will be staggered (ie. no overlapping sets!), one after the other, so you can see everyone!

Part of why SXSW works is because there's this feeling that everyone in the music industry and their dog just has to be there—bands, agents, fans, promoters, critics, etc. And while Todd P's departure certainly isn't going to slow down the boozy, bizzy juggernaut that is SXSW, it does rob the fest of a few cool points and perhaps just a little of its obligatory appeal.