With warm winds blowing through downtown Austin--the better to keep fans comfortable while shuttling between packed, steamy clubs--the stage was set on Thursday for another fun adventure at the South by Southwest Music Festival.

The night's exploits began for this reporter at the Austin Music Hall, where Sacramento pop-rockers Cake [ tickets ] delivered a strong performance that focused on the group's catalog.

Cake [ tickets ]'s fans tend to be rabid, and a good percentage of the crowd sang along through the 40-minute set with charismatic frontman John McCrea, who seemed slightly tipsy. He taught the crowd the chorus to the new song "No Phone," persevering until the audience finally got it right.

After a way-too-long soundcheck, rock-and-roll legend Little Richard [ tickets ]-- who earlier in the day delivered the SXSW convention's keynote address--took the stage with the help of a band member. He then climbed atop a grand piano, lifted his arms and drank in the cheers of the crowd.

Little Richard is no youngster, and he preserved his energy by mugging for the crowd and leaving large chunks of his songs open for extended jams by his tight band. His trademark scream isn't what it once was, but that doesn't stop him from trying to unleash it.

Later, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer [ tickets ]--who deserves to be a star--played a strong set for a reverent crowd of fans at Caribbean Nights. Her rootsy, melodic style manages to be smart without being precious. She's also got an easy stage presence; she kicked off her shoes toward the end of her 40-minute set and performed her last few songs barefoot.

Juliana Hatfield [ tickets ]'s set at the same venue was dominated by lots of impressive new material, most of which, she said, will appear on her forthcoming album "In Exile Deo," due on May 18.

Hatfield's guitar-playing prowess has to be seen to be appreciated. While no great technician, she's developed an unmistakable style that simultaneously draws on the throaty riffs of The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, the rhythmic jangle of The Velvet Underground's Sterling Morrison and the controlled feedback/distortion of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. It's a tasty and effective combination.

And Hatfield's current backing band seems to be more in touch with her quirky style than any group she's been a member of since the Blake Babies.

Wednesday night's good vibes were spoiled for some when Austin Police--who generally keep a low profile during SXSW--a boon for city businesses--decided that Latin-rockers Ozomatli went too far at the end of their performance.

The group--know for its high-energy live shows--traditionally leads a procession of fans from a venue, playing pied-piper style, at the end of its gigs. On this night, police decided that strict enforcement of noise- and performance-permit ordinances were in order.

According to the Austin Chronicle, police trying to enforce the law used pepper spray to try to break up a crowd that chanted "Nazi police." Police allege that a member of Ozomatli hit an officer "several times in the head with his drum."

Ozomatli member Jiro Yamaguchi reportedly was arrested for allegedly hitting an officer with his drum, and bassist Willy Abers reportedly was arrested for trying to incite the crowd. Band manager Amy Sue Blackman-Romero reportedly was arrested for interference with the duties of a public servant.

Ozomatli's camp and some witnesses told the American-Statesman that police incited the crowd, and said that Yamaguchi was unaware that he struck an officer with the drum.

The band members and their manager reportedly were released from the Travis County Jail on personal recognizance bonds on Thursday.