So if you’ve seen what I referred to yesterday as my “final” SXSW schedule (note: it wasn’t – I’ve already updated it), you’ve probably noticed that I have about 150 or so different bands on my list. I obviously won’t see all of them, but they’re all really good acts that I’d love to see if I had the time.

What you don’t see, however, are all of the bands that I will be adding to my list over the next few days based on word-of-mouth. I know for a fact that several of my friends will suggest bands that I’ve never heard (and maybe never heard of), and I also know that I’ll learn of a few bands just by randomly talking to people next to me at a show or in line for a beer. And now that everyone in the world is on Twitter, I guarantee you I’ll be adding “Twitter buzz” bands to my schedule as the week goes on.

But for those of you out there who are still trying to put your own lists together, allow me to recommend five bands that I think everyone should try to catch in Austin. Odds are you’ve already heard of most or all of these bands – I’ve mentioned all but one on this blog before, and most of them are starting to get some real buzz around the big music blogs. But that doesn’t change the fact that you should try to fit them into your schedules.

Oh, and all bolded sets listed below are sets that I plan to catch, so try to say hi if you’re there!

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The Antlers
I just saw these guys in DC last week, and I can’t wait to see them again. The band’s debut LP, Hospice, is absolutely stunning, and Peter has finally found two great musicians to help him bring his music to life on stage. I feel pretty confident that SXSW is going to be their “coming out” party, and it’s well-deserved.

The Antlers, “Two”

See them:
Fri. 3/20: 1:35pm, Emo’s Annex, Soundcheck Magazine party (RSVP)
Fri., 3/20: 5pm, Club Primos, 1700 E. 6th (RSVP)
Sat., 3/21: 5pm, The Parish, 214B E. 6th

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The Deep Vibration
I’ve been dying to see these guys after hearing their WOXY Lounge Act a few weeks ago. Quite possibly my most anticipated band of SXSW. I’m only half-kidding when I call them the next Wilco.

The Deep Vibration, “Oklahoma City Woman Blues”

See them:
Thu., 3/19: 1am, Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room, 512 Trinity (technically Fri. morning)
Fri., 3/20: 4:30pm, Maria’s Taco Xpress, 2529 South Lamar
Fri., 3/20: 1:50am, American Spirit Party, 504 Trinity (technically Sat. morning)
Sat., 3/21: 3pm, Longbranch Inn, 1133 E. 11th St. (RSVP)
Sat., 3/21: 5:30pm, Jovita’s, 1617 S. 1st St. (RSVP)

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The Henry Clay People
Possibly my favorite “surprise” of the 100 Bands in March Challenge so far. I discovered these guys a few months back via The Rock Insider blog, and quickly became a big fan of their debut LP, For Cheap or For Free. But I wasn’t prepared for how good they’d be live. They opened last week’s Airborne Toxic Event show, and by the reception they got from the crowd, I’m pretty sure they were the surprise hit of the night.

The Henry Clay People, “Working Part Time”

See them:
Wed., 3/18: 1pm, Paradise, 401 E. 6th St.
Thu., 3/19: 4pm, Opal Divine’s, 700 W. 6th St.
Thu., 3/19: 5pm, Peckerhead’s, 402 E. 6th St. (RSVP)
Thu., 3/19: 10pm, The Independent, 501 N. IH-35
Fri., 3/20: 2pm, Mohawk, 912 Red River (RSVP)
Fri., 3/20: 3:50pm, Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River

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The Rural Alberta Advantage
If you’ve read this blog at all over the last few months, you’re probably sick of hearing me talk about these guys. But, seriously, they’re that good. I’m sure they’re tired of the Neutral Milk Hotel comparisons, but they’re valid if for no other reason than I’m confident that I’ll be listening to Hometowns in 10 years as much as I listen to In The Aeroplane Over The Sea now (read: a lot).

The Rural Alberta Advantage, “Don’t Haunt This Place”

See them:
Thu., 3/19: 7:45pm, Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th St.
Fri., 3/20: 12:30pm, Mohawk, 912 Red River (RSVP)
Fri., 3/20: 3:45pm, Home Slice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress Ave.

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We Were Promised Jetpacks
The only band on this list that is still pretty much an unknown quantity to me. The first thing I heard about them compared them to countrymen Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad, and that was pretty much enough to get me interested. So far they have one MP3 making the rounds (below), and it’s fantastic. The band’s debut LP comes out on FatCat in June.

We Were Promised Jetpacks, “Ships With Holes Will Sink”

See them:
Wed., 3/18: 2:30pm, Maggie Mae’s, 323 E. 6th St.
Wed., 3/18: 3:30pm, Emo’s Annex, 600 Red River (RSVP)
Thu., 3/19: 12:45pm, End of An Ear Records, 2209 South 1st St.
Fri., 3/20: 12:45pm, Homeslice Pizza, 1415 S. Congress Ave.
Fri., 3/20: 7:30pm, La Zona Rosa, 612 W. 4th St.