The perfect way to start off Austin’s annual ruckus of a music conference South by Southwest was at Hype Machine’s Hype Hotel tucked away in a little new warehouse space within the Whitley in the heart of downtown Austin. Complete with an endless array of free drinks and Taco Bell yums, the party promised a festive night. Passion Pit took to the stage fresh and ready to charge. All though the acoustics of the space were less favorable, they managed to please a large crowd of earlybirds blasting through “I’ll Be Alright,” “Carried Away,” and “Moth’s Wings.” Without fail, they touched on fan favorites “Take a Walk” and “Cry Like a Ghost.” Ending the night with “Little Secrets” was icing on the cake. Witnessing an epic indie electronic favorite in such an intimate underground setting assured that this SXSW has a lot to offer.