Merge Records announces XX festival for July 22-26

Merge Records' 20th Anniversary is coming up soon and the festivities just keep rolling in. No doubt you've heard about the box set that continues to grow. But today the label announced plans to host XX MERGE, a five-day festival of live music from Merge artists both old and new. The shows will be held in Merge's native state of North Carolina July 22-26. And that's all we know...for now.

A press release says the "lineup and ticket information will be announced shortly." Well, shortly ain't short enough to keep us from salivating over the possibilities. Now we don't want to get ahead of ourselves because there is always a chance our favorites won't show up, but when a great label announces a huge gig of past and present acts, it's hard not to get imaginative. Arcade Fire! Caribou! Spoon! M. Ward! (or She & Him), Conor Oberst! The Shins! Camera Obscura! Of course, a Neutral Milk Hotel reunion would surely incite head explosions.

In a statement, the label announced: "XX Merge will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Merge label, which began in 1989 in Chapel Hill NC, with a handful of 4-track recordings, a couple of cassette tapes, and some hand-stuffed 7" vinyl. Literally hundreds of singles, albums, and late nights later, Merge will be celebrating its past, present and future throughout 2009. XX Merge will be the label's party to mark this anniversary: five days of music by Merge artists past and present in the summer heat of sunny North Carolina."

Can't wait! Stay tuned for more news. Shortly.

Related links:
News: Ryan Adams, Zach Galifianakis, more join Merge 20th set
News: Merge Records celebrates first 20 years with box set
News: Conor Oberst to release solo album on Merge

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