Best one yet! 2011 edition of Westword Music Showcase attracts over 13,000 fans this year

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Man, what a day we had yesterday at the seventeenth annual Westword Music Showcase! The music was exceptional, the weather was beyond agreeable and everywhere you looked in every direction it was a sea of smiling faces. With over 13,000 people in attendance this year, this was certainly the biggest Showcase yet -- and having been to nearly every one of them since the beginning, including the past nine editions, which I've had the distinct privilege of helping put together, I'm going to go ahead and say this was the best one yet. Hands down. From that massive dance party that Chromeo conducted to close out the evening to the bow-breaking set Murder By Death turned in to the Sword covering ZZ Top to the unbelievably strong local showing, there was no shortage memorable moments. Click through to see some of the highlights.

Aaron Thackeray

Amanda Hawkins of Della

Aaron Thackeray

Due to van troubles, UME only played two songs. But in those two songs, they crushed it.

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Lauren Langner Larson of UME

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Chris Heckman of the Epilogues

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Nate Hammond of the Epilogues

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant

Photo by Aaron Thackeray

Jacob Tilley of Young the Giant