SXSW tends to be a rite of passage for local bands, and this year’s event was no different. There weren’t a lot of official showcases featuring Lawrence bands. But luckily, Midcoast Takeover helped put a lot of area bands in the spotlight with a five-day stretch of shows on two stages at Shangri-La.

Here are some highlights from our time with Lawrence bands down in Austin.

Best face-melting moments: Black Luck

Much like the name implies, Black Luck tends to bathe in bad luck these days. But things are finally coming up Milhouse for the Lawrence rockers. They (unluckily) had to follow a fairly aggravated act on the final night of Midcoast Takeover. No one wants to follow a band that gets cut off early and throws a hissy fit, but Black Luck managed to completely turn the mood around. They ripped into the loudest, hardest, thrashiest set of the entire week. By this point, the venue was packed and revelers were avoiding the rain that plagued the festival during the week. The raging sea of people moved like a storm during Black Luck’s set. It was one of the best ways to end a week of nonstop rocking out.

Best SXSW noobs: Westerners

The boys in Westerners, like so many newcomers before them, were warned that they would likely make several mistakes during their first SXSW venture (we all do). This rock band is hands down one of the darlings of the Lawrence scene, and every time we ran into them they were shrugging off yet another newcomer mistake they made at the festival. They had only one set for the entire week (classic noob mistake), but rocked it as hard as possible. They were the last band to play the outdoor stage at Midcoast Takeover because the rain started right after their set and didn’t end until after everyone had left Texas.

Best covers: The Noise FM

The Noise FM don’t live in Lawrence, but they used to. So when they tour through any city full of ex-pats, they turn out by the dozens. The Noise FM put on a fun and lively, power-pop-filled set. But audiences tend to love them for their covers, which sometimes involve guest musicians and offstage antics with their fans.

Best SXSW weirdos: Something and the Whatevers

Comedic punk rockers Something and the Whatevers created a glorious new set of fans at the I Heart Local Music showcase thanks to some serious stunts. The band tends to use an iPod instead of a drum machine, but for their Austin set the iPod came to life. The band created a life-sized version of the device, complete with a robot face that spoke to the crowd in between songs (and encouraged audiences to give into their robot overlords). It was a hilarious sight and accompanied their outrageous lyrics and shrill yelling perfectly.

Best audience interaction: Approach

Approach is generally the belle of the ball at Midcoast Takeover. He brings along the entire Boogaloo Odyssey and leaves them onstage while he jumps into the crowd as far as his mic cord will take him. The rapper is the very definition of showmanship and interacts with as many faces in the crowd as possible, complimenting them and addressing them by name. It’s hard to beat an Approach set, and we’ve yet to see it happen.

Best crooner: Wild Eye

He’s just a man and his guitar, but he kept the Lawrence folks swooning nonetheless. Ross Williams is an up-and-comer in the scene thanks to his work with No Cave and casual appearances in other local bands. But he was one of the very first acoustic acts to hit Midcoast Takeover, and Lawrencians gathered round to hear his creative guitar work and smooth vocals. It felt like a gentle hug, and we’re hoping this wasn’t a one-time festival appearance for the solo act.

— Fally Afani is a freelance writer and editor of I Heart Local Music. She enjoys long walks, photography and rock and roll. She does not like cats, but makes exceptions for the ones at Love Garden. For more local music coverage, visit iheartlocalmusic.com.