AUSTIN (March 23, 2009)--The talk about which acts made a mark at South By Southwest begins right after the last guitar is strummed, the final beer is downed and East 6th Street clears out.

The annual music conference and festival concluded its 23rd annual event early Sunday after four nights of revelry.

Among the established acts was Metallica, promoting a new videogame, who played a semisecret, intimate show for 2,100 - if a thunderous heavy-metal band can play an "intimate" show.

Kanye West performed twice, once at a showcase for his G.O.O.D. Music record label, the other in a surprise appearance at the party hosted by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

Big Boi, half of the rap duo OutKast, was eager to talk about his upcoming solo album but less so to perform songs off it, instead playing older material.

Other veteran acts that performed included Echo & the Bunnymen, Devo, P.J. Harvey, Primal Scream and the reunited Jane's Addiction.

Some of the most popular shows were those by indie heavyweights like the Hold Steady, M. Ward, Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear and the Decemberists.