Merge's Anniversary Fest Goes Onsale Wednesday, Promises To Be Awesome

Last fall we mentioned that Merge Records was ramping up to a seriously cool record release for their twentieth anniversary this year. Well, in addition they've also lined up a five day music festival that's going to feature the best and the brightest of the Merge roster. Given that Merge hosts some of HAD's favorite artists, the fest has us drooling like crazy monkey people.

XX Merge is taking place from July 22nd to the 26th, at Merge's headquarters in Carrboro, NC. Currently the confirmed lineup is as follows:

SUPERCHUNK
SPOON
CONOR OBERST
SPENT
M.WARD
THE ROSEBUDS
DESTROYER
GUV'NER
POLVO
PIPE
THE BROKEN WEST

What's more there's the promise of "Many more expected & unexpected". While there are no guarantees, we'd be willing to make a pretty solid bet that Merge powerhouse Arcade Fire will make an appearance. What's more, much of the label's cred-establishing bands like The Magnetic Fields, Crooked Fingers and Robert Pollard also seem to be likely suspects. The real question, however, is that conspicuous legacy on the Merge roster: Will Neutral Milk Hotel make an appearance?

All of these mysteries will be revealed in July, but in order for that to happen, you need a pass to the fest. If you're so inclined - you're in luck: the passes go on sale this Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern Time via catscradle.com and mergerecords.com.