SXSW jam-packed but jams still matter.(music notes)

There's no denying that Austin's SXSW Music Festival is a must-do annual industry event. Since it began in 1987, it has grown to include countless panels, invaluable networking opportunities and thousands of perfs by burgeoning musicians alongside established artists like Bruce Springsteen.

SXSW Music has ballooned from 700 registrants to more than 17,700, not counting the unregistered hangers-on or the massive Interactive and Film components. And while this may be good news for fest organizers, it makes life difficult for festgoers. It used to be easy to waltz into official SXSW showcases, but now a badge-holder who wants to see, say, Jack White perform may wait in line for …