Showtime Celebrates 'SMILF,' 'The Chi,' 'Shameless' at SXSW 2018

03.18.2018

Showtime celebrated three of its shows at SXSW 2018 in Austin, turning Clive House on downtown Austin's Rainey Street into a three-day music venue with drinks and merch for fans.

On Thursday, March 15, the network kicked off the weekend with a day dedicated to SMILF, created, starring and executive produced by Frankie Shaw. The Showtime House was decorated in all things Boston in honor of Bridgette Bird (Shaw), a Southie native.

All of the bands and performers in that day's line up were female led, including rising teenage indie rocker Snail Mail and experimental violinist and vocalist Sudan Archives. Princess Nokia, whose music has appeared on the show, finished out the day's sets. Shaw showed up and hung out at the house before taking the stage to talk to fans.

Friday was all about The Chi, set in Chicago and created by actress, writer, producer and Emmy-winner Lena Waithe and Oscar-winning rapper and executive producer Common. The house was redecorated Chicago-style to feature a custom sneaker gallery and Chicago graffiti art. The day was filled with hip-hop, including Chicago-based Joey Purp and Lee Fields & the Expressions, whose music appears on the show. The day ended with a DJ set from RUN-DMC's Darryl DMC McDaniels.

Saturday was St. Patrick's Day and Austin's streets filled with green-clad revelers. Showtime dedicated its house that day to Shameless' Gallaghers, a family of Irish descent from Chicago's South Side who manages to keep loving each other no matter their dysfunction. Shameless stars William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum.

[Images courtesy of Showtime/Laura June Kirsch]​