SXSW: Drinking from a fire hose

That's an exceptionally apt summary of SXSW. It's big. Really big. 

I haven't ever actually been to a real music festival before, but I've been to several conventions and conferences. At those events, though I understand the impossibility of going to every panel and concert, I at least understand everything that goes on there. I know what's available at what times and can pick all the ones I'd be willing and able to hit.
At SXSW, you'll be lucky if have half a day figured out. The massive size of the space the event takes place means you'll walk upwards of 12 miles over the course of a day, and just standing for a good portion of it too. There are SO MANY BANDS. The panels start around 10 am and finish around 6 pm every day, presenting bands at around 50 different venues from then until 3 am. A single person can only hope to see at most about an 1/8 of what SXSW music has to offer. and there's also the film and interactive tracks on top of that.
The sheer amount of things going on gave me an unpleasant feeling. I dislike the idea of not being able to see everything there is.