Comprehension: Myanmar Band Rocks Austin SXSW Festival

Their first album was almost scuppered by US sanctions, but Myanmar indie rockers Side Effect have played the gig of their dreams in America, playing at the South by South West music festival. 

Watch the video and answer the questions below.  Decide if the statements are True or False.

1.This is the first time the band has tried to raise money.
a. True
b. False

2.The band is the first band from Myanmar to play at the South By South West music festival.
a. True
b. False

3. The drummer doesn’t have a drum kit at home.
a. True
b. False

For transcript and answers see below.

Transcript and Answers:

From isolation, into the limelight.
Two years ago, this Myanmar rock band fell victim to their country’s then-pariah status, when their attempts to raise money for their album fell foul of US sanctions.
Now they're heading to America to be the first band from Myanmar to play one of the world’s biggest festivals — following their dreams with the help of donations from fans around the world.
"It been very difficult for us to be able to go to South By South West music festival because, like, first of all money is the major problem because we don't have any money. But you know we were raising money on a crowd funding campaign called Pledge Music but we only got 50 percent.”
Side Effect had to grapple with everything from censored lyrics to tight restrictions on live gigs under Myanmar’s former junta.
They have long struggled with funding, and their drummer Tser Htoo practices at home on piles of books because he can’t afford a kit.
But the festival in Austin, Texas is a revelation.
 “There’s so much love in the air - I mean like the people, I mean, I think because of the music you know — all the people are here because they love music.  Whenever I tell someone that ‘Oh we are a band from Burma’, their like ‘Oh really?’ they are really interested.”
The band get a packed house to play to.
 “We never thought we would be playing in South By South West one day — this is incredible”
A few of Austin’s Myanmar ex-pats have even come to cheer them on.
 “Just simple. Very happy. Just very emotionally happy.” 
Competing for music industry attention against some of the most dynamic new bands around — this is their best shot to show the world what they can do.

Answers:
1. b
2. a
3. a

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