Amazon Prime Video’s new and upcoming show “Good Omens” brought an apocalyptic experience to SXSW this year full of angelic activations and devilish delicacies. From March 8 – 11, the “Good Omens Garden of Earthly Delights” summoned festival-goers to enjoy worldly enchantments in their immersive yard around the corner from Austin’s beloved Rainey Street.
Directed by Neil Gaiman, “Good Omens” is a new show based off of the 1990 novel, “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch,” written by Terry Pratchett and Gaiman himself. The novel tells the story of the angel Aziraphale (played by Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (portrayed by David Tennant) who have formed an uncommon union to stop the apocalypse so they can continue their cherished lives on earth.
Out of all the different SXSW experiences, I must admit the “Garden of Earthly Delights” was in my top five (I even went twice). The garden was an oasis to escape to during that mid-SXSW drag, the perfect place to just sit, relax, and enjoy refreshments. Beer and wine poured out a giant 20-foot tree that stood in the garden’s center, bearing apples that opened to reveal small gifts and a prophecy for each visitor.
The garden was split in two, one side heaven, the other side hell. As an ethereal strings band played covers in the corner we enjoyed delicious bites from some of the best local restaurants, a much needed pick-me-up after a long morning of walking. There were even free manicures, hand massages and hairstyling courtesy butterLONDON, Cosmedix and SexyHair – talk about bliss!
The experience was not short of photo opportunities and interesting backdrops: an A.Z. Fell & Co. bookshop (which also contained secret gifts), a replica of Crowley’s 1926 Bentley, interactive angel and demon wings that came alive with the Snapchat app, and several photo booths spread throughout.
If you think for a second it couldn’t get better, think again. PUPPIES. Yep, the “Hellhound Puppy Pen” let you hold and snuggle with adorable, adoptable puppies from Austin Animal Center. It truly was heaven.
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Featured image & photo gallery credit: Leigh Kettle/Shuffle Online
Leigh is a native Texan gone temporary New Yorker and now proud Austinite. Passions include but are not limited to music (both as a spectator and dabbler), traveling & cultural adventures, film & television, true crime, design (of the fashion, interior, and graphic sorts), and photographing & writing about all the aforementioned. Self-acclaimed coffee connoisseur & wino, cat aficionado, book worm, and nature junkie.