More than 1,900 bands – an astounding number — performed officially and unofficially in Austin and surrounding communities, bringing a Mardi Gras vibe to the Texas state capitol. Sixth Street, where most of the city’s nightclubs are located, was teeming each night with festivalgoers until the wee hours of morning.

Metallica and Kanye West each made a surprise appearance at SXSW. Metallica’s included an outdoor performance at Stubb’s.

Performing Saturday night at Vice on Sixth Street was Janelle Monae, an R&B and soul singer destined to be a star in the coming year. Sporting a Little Richard pompadour, Monae performed a roiling, otherworldly brand of R&B that thrilled a packed house. But she also surprised the crowd with a tender version of the Charlie Chaplin classic, “Smile,” made famous by Nat King Cole.

Seattle-bred composer, producer and musician Quincy Jones delivered the keynote address March 19, kicking off a long weekend that explored such topics as Islamic heavy-metal, music and branding, intellectual property issues and social networking.

At the music and branding panel discussion, the phrase “selling in instead of selling out” was used to describe the trend of young bands collaborating with major retail brands to launch careers and introduce songs. Can you imagine Nirvana or Mudhoney doing something like this in their early years?

Another panel explored the legacy of Texas musician Doug Sahm, who led the Sir Douglas Quintet and recorded the hits “She’s About a Mover” and “Mendocino. Panelist Bill Bentley of Sonicboomers.com described Sahm as “the father of Americana music.” Band member Augie Meyers shared humorous stories about getting arrested in Texas in 1966 for having long hair and stuffing marijuana into their microphone stands on a tour of Germany in the ‘60s. Sahm’s son Shawn also talked passionately about his father’s career, sharing memories of growing up in a rock ‘n’ roll family.

Aside from Janelle Monae and the South by Seattle showcase earlier in the day, Saturday’s musical highlight was a live taping of Ben Harper and Relentless7, Harper’s new band, for “Austin City Limits” at the studio on the University of Texas campus. Harper and company performed songs from the dark and powerful upcoming album “White Lies in Dark Times,” due in May.

It was a riveting performance that PBS viewers can enjoy during the show’s 35th season in October.

The festival closed with an evening of music by Alejandro Escovedo and Friends at iconic Austin nightclub the Continental.

— Gene Stout