Vampire Weekend, Daniel Johnston get Popped!

Without cheating, close your eyes and try to name one summer festival Vampire Weekend is not playing this year. Can’t do it, can you? But the weird part about these festivals is this: Even if, say, the band was up against one-twenty-seventh of The Polyphonic Spree, Vampire Weekend would still not be headlining. Until now, that is.

That’s right folks, your favorite sweater-clad Ivy leaguers will finally reach the big stage at Philadelphia’s second annual Popped! Music Festival beginning June 20. In only its second year, the festival boasts quite a formidable and diverse lineup. Starting with a seminal rap pioneer (in this case, eyepatch extraordinaire Slick Rick) in its first day, Popped! boasts two more days of a general who’s who of up and coming music, mixing in a few veterans such as Daniel Johnston and Mates of State. Each day of artists takes place at a different venue in downtown Philadelphia.

The idea of Slick Rick with a live backing band sounds positively electrifying. And Saturday’s mix of festival vets Gogol Bordello with relative newcomer Dan Deacon should provide an interesting mix (along with the aforementioned Vampire Weekend closing set), followed by the always-unpredictable closing headliner Daniel Johnston with The Capitol Years.

For full artist lineup and schedule, visit PoppedPhiladelphia.org.

Related links:
HiHowAreYou.com (Official Daniel Johnston site)
YouTube: The Devil and Daniel Johnson trailer
YouTube: Slick Rick - "Children's Story"

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