Annnnd we're off. I just got out of the long, snaky line for South by Southwest music badge pickup, which of course included a taped-off human-cattle section (above). Relatively painless process, though, and there are racks of every alt-weekly known to man and tables full of flyers and CDs to make the wait more interesting.

Once I had my badge, which had last year's picture on it (I got a haircut for nothing?), I went downstairs to get my "big bag," a fabric shopping bag packed with party invites, CD samplers and free magazine subscriptions. Life sure is hard.

The graphics on last year's bag were designed by Wayne Coyne of Flaming Lips. This year's design is significantly less cool. It advertises the imminent SXSW British invasion. Artists such as Mika, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen are some of the most buzzworthy at the fest. I'm seeing all three of those if it kills me.

More later, gators. I haven't even left the convention center yet. POINT ME TO THE PARTAYS!