spindlebox
 That's why I'm considering cancelling this particular gig.  We'd be 1 out of 2100 bands and 1 of 14 in that particular venue.  What kind of exposure could we possibly get?

By my math you will get 1/14th of the exposure for the day.
 
The 1 of 2100 is moot unless you plan to spend the entire time (every hour of every day) promoting yourself in other ways (CD sales, getting people on your mailing list and the like, if that is allowed).
 
HTH.

Bapu, you're right.  That's my "disillusioned" side talking out loud.

Bubba's post is really on the mark.  I'm torn.

The thing is, we have a keyboard setup too.  Not a cheap one.  I'm having nightmares of lugging it down the street, even though it's in a flight case.  Through crowds of drunken revelers.  

I mean, we're a good live band.  But depending on the equipment provided, are we even going to be at full strength?  1466 miles round trip.  14 miles per gallon gas.  $85/night hotel room.  2 nights house/dog sitter.

It's not that I haven't thought of this, but the naive part of me thought at least we'd be able to pull up out front, unload and then park.  We did that in Nashville, parked like 5 blocks away.  I'm thinking, lugging our nice equipment that far may not be the smartest idea in the world.

Does it sound like I'm trying to talk myself out of it?  God, I'm pitiful.

I'm certainly not seeing much ROI in this situation.

One question. What is it worth to be able to tell folks "we played at SXSW".

ampfixer
One question. What is it worth to be able to tell folks "we played at SXSW".

I wonder if I could get a SXSW T-Shirt online. 

From everything I've heard from my younger associates who've actually played at SBSW that's the long and the short of it. Take it or leave it. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Either go play and HAVE FUN...or screw it.

Hmmm SXSW, I guess that be the kind of gig to expect press and label scouts. It most certainly sounds like this agent is testing you (your band).-- Are you (and your band) really that keen, Yes/No?

I've been in that situation repeatedly and yes it's can be freaking nightmare. --- Sydney (downtown city - central) in Australia, the traffic is so bad the roads are like a over-crowded parking lots ; most people are advise to leave their cars at home and take a flight, taxi, train or bus, BUT obviously for a band or courier vans/rucks that is not an option (imagine how they cope, think about that and you might come up with solutions).
 
I'm not entirely sure how business is done in the US, in Australia, bands are required to sign a contract (this is usually through major agents, at least 4 weeks in advance) so unless the entire band is hospitalized, you better 'all' show up.
 
Tip: (1) get to the city a day early, (2) book a room (unless the venue supplies 'one') yes, probably share a room together lol. (3) To-heck-with-it = parked in an awkward spot close to the venue, two guys directed traffic around and the others VERY quickly off-loaded the gear on the pathway... then load in whilst one person kept watch on the gear. In my case, as the band made enough money, we  hire a road crew and luckily most venue bookings included all expenses paid - room, but I never stayed in those (others did) I prefer my own room at my own expense.
 
Yep, sounds like this agent is really testing you (and your band)! Once the money rolls in, hire a truck/driver for these types of gigs but always have a couple of band members arrive to keep an eye on load in/outs.
 
I wish you all the best with your endeavors. Good luck!
 

I hope you don't have a B3 and Leslies to carry!  Is there any chance of the keyboard player using a lighter set-up.  That  choice may help your decision making.  

In addition to my post:
 
Another tip: (for example) MusicPro Insurance. I think it's about $150 per year up to $25,000 coverage. And of course, reminder to backup all sounds; this be for example keyboards, modules (and/or plugins) outboard fxs (and/or plugins) and guitar user-presets -- Have multiple backup copies)! My band also paid the yearly 'public liability insurance' You never know; I heard of a band that literally set the entire stage on fire; a stunt gone horribly wrong -- the singer rises out of a black coffin, smoke rises, but in this case, fire!!! FIRE!!! {yikes} . Other incidents involve the singer 'crowd surfing' literally diving on the crowd and oops {yikes}!
 
 

Songcraft, there is NO agent to impress, no contracts, no money involved for any payout for our trouble.
 
We are already utilizing a lighter setup for our keys, but an 88 keyboard is needed for our keyboardist to accomplish what she needs to.  It doesn't make any sense to go through all of this time, expense and hassle - to perform at less than full strength.  After all, if we're trying to market ourselves, why would we do so with anything less than 100%?
 
Someone else said "damned if you DO, damned if you DON'T".  Well, if we are going to be damned, it will be cheaper to be damned — if we DON'T.  Also less of a hassle.  

I believe we are going to pass.  We are beginning to make GOOD sums of money for other tour dates on other trips and perhaps that fact alone tells us that maybe we don't exactly need another "notch" in our belt to prove ourselves.