SXSW considers limiting free events

AUSTIN (KXAN) - SXSW organizers say they plan to work with the City of Austin to limit free events next year, after a number of incidents in 2011 . But, they stress, it will ultimately be up to the city to decide how to hand out permits.

"We're going to have to reexamine our approach to free events. There are so many free events out there, I think it's starting to attract an element of people who are troublemakers," said SXSW Managing Director Roland Swenson.

Swenson says the free events have reached critical mass, and the city is planning to limit permits next year under the Live Music Ordinance.

"One of the things about SXSW that people love is all the parties and free stuff. I think you reach a point, how much is too much, and I think we're there," said Swenson.

A video posted to YouTube appears to show Screeching Weasel singer Ben Weasel attacking two women at a show Friday night. The official SXSW showcase was at the Scoot Inn. According to witnesses and the LA Times, Weasel became enraged after someone threw ice on the stage.

Also Friday, an accident sent four people to the hospital . SXSW officials say an unauthorized camera boom came crashing down on a crowd at Stubb's before a performance by OMD. All of the injuries were minor.

Witnesses said the scene was scary, but everyone was calm and orderly.

It was definitely a moment where everyone felt very vulnerable," said witness Alice Lou. "Some place like Stubb's you would never expect that something of this magnitude would ever happen."

"It was wall to wall, but people you know they cooperated and made way and allowed the EMS people to get in and get involved and it was fine," added witness Jack Bela.

"It's really disheartening to us. We've been doing this for 25 years. Fortunately nobody has ever been permanantly injured," said SXSW Managing Director Roland Swenson.

He said the camera was part of a crew from the show's sponsor, Steve Madden. Swenson said SXSW normally doesn't authorize camera booms.

"It interferes with the show, and if it gets crowded it can be dangerous. But we didn't get a chance to say no," he said.

Swenson blamed a lot of SXSW's problems on drunken crowds, especially Thursday on St. Patrick's Day. That's when thousands of people were turned away from the Strokes free concert at Auditorium Shores, leading some to break through the fences.