Puppies, Prizes, Pixies & Pizza: Here's What Angie McMahon's SXSW Looked Like

Melbourne artist Angie McMahon certainly had a successful trip to the US for SXSW. 

Not only has she spent some time supporting Pixies and at Willie Nelson's ranch, McMahon also picked up this year's Grulke Prize award for a Developing Non-US Act at the Texas conference, which acknowledges "artists who are breaking new ground with their creativity and show the most promise in achieving their career goals". 

"My highlights were firstly Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion - I hope the photos give an idea, because I can't really describe it, but I guess it's a mini festival away from the festival with lots of country outfits and happy people. Playing with the boys was really special, each time," shares McMahon. 

"And also, when we won a SXSW award, most of our team was together in one place and we got to hug and cry together, and that was really special. That night, we played our last gig and everyone from the team got up to dance with us. It felt really special to share the last song like that and now I've seen them all cry happy tears, and twist and shout on stage to my song, and be rewarded for the stuff they do, and that makes me happy!"

Check out McMahon's SXSW tour diary, including her own handwritten notations, below. 

"Pre-SXSW, finalising album cover at Dualtone label office." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"On-stage supporting the Pixies in Knoxville, Tennessee." Pic by Jono Steer.

"Successful gig happy nerds photo." Pic by Jono Steer.

"First day pancakes." Pic by Lachlan O'Kane.

"A weird long bike-bus-snake full of people. First thing we saw at SXSW." Pic by Angie McMahon.

"30 mins before gig." Pic by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore. 

"5 mins before gig." Pic by Charlotte Abroms.

"Oh Pep! at Australia House. We got to share the stage with them, my favourite band." Pic by Angie McMahon.

"Charlotte with one of Austin's many cute doggos." Pic by Angie McMahon.

"Lobby nap." Pic by Lachlan O'Kane.

"Lach + Gormie, cowboys." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"After we played at Willie Nelson's Luck Reunion." Pic by Charlotte Abroms.

"We were on Willie ranch all day..." Pic by Jono Steer. 

"People filling the chapel and watching from outside." Pic by Angie McMahon.

"Char + Jono, tour captains." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"Dream outfit." Pic by Alyssa Austin. 

"Met another cute dog, Tula the husky baby." Pic by Alex O'Gorman.

"Ben (agent/angel), Alyssa (label/angel), and Gormie (bird)." Pic by Lachlan O'Kane.

"Jono (sound), Alex (bass), Lachie (drums), me (tired)." Pic by Jono Steer.

"Ended the Willie Nelson day by joining Mavis Staples on stage. Overwhelmed again." Pic via @ourgrandtour on Instagram.

"Our second last gig, at Stubb's, right before we heard about winning a prize." Pic by Lachlan O'Kane.

"Reading the email about the Grulke prize, emotional." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"Charlotte Abroms, the one and only." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"Introvert moment to process emotions." Pic by Lachlan O'Kane.

"We happy." Pic by Alyssa Austin.

"Jo + Charlotte, good eggs." Pic by Jo Syme.

"I went for a walk before we flew out of Austin. Had lots of hippie thoughts about balance, nature, the universe, etc. and saw some turtles and these birds." Pic by Angie McMahon.

"Goodbye hug!" Pic by Jono Steer.

"Final gig." Pic by Adrian Spinelli.

"Everyone came on stage to dance to Pasta!" Pic by Raymond Lew.