Basically, there are two types of visitors to SXSW: those with a see-and-be-seen agenda, and those who just want to check out what's new and have some fun. The fact that one faction can't escape the other is probably SXSW's greatest irony; as the event has grown, more shows have become invite-only, and Austin's laid-back spirit suffers in the tension between cell-phone toting record-company executives and average music lovers. Still, SXSW's position as the top new-music showcase on the continent makes it a great place for anyone who loves music to catch up-and-coming bands before the buzz becomes a roar. Beck, Bush, Cake, Ani DiFranco, Hanson, Jewel, and Lucinda Williams are just a few of the acts who used SXSW as a springboard to the big-time. Outdoor stages, unplugged stages, and dozens of booze-and-schmooze events provide ample opportunities to see the hip and the hyped, whether you like rock, hip-hop, R&B, country & roots rock, blues, folk, swing, or bluegrass.•