MACRoCk 2008

I figure now is as good a time as any to do a little plugging/bragging about the upcoming MACRoCk music festival in Harrisonburg, VA this weekend. To an outsider it might seem an unlikely location to host a weekend of coordinated rock concerts featuring handfuls of the best up and coming bands in America, but Macrock is nothing new to regional locals. The festival, first done completely by JMU's radio station WXJM, now done in tandem with the city of Harrisonburg and local volunteers, began in 1996. Alumni of the event are an all-star list including: Elliott Smith, Matt Pond PA, Archers of Loaf, Appleseed Cast, Avail, The Dismemberment Plan, Dillinger Escape Plan, Fugazi, The Faint, Hot Water Music, MewithoutYou, the Walkmen, and Q and not U.

This year, this Saturday, at Memorial Hall, I will view as near a perfect lineup as I ever hope to absorb. Owen, Aloha, Anathallo, Shapiro, Mock Orange, Unwed Sailor, Brooke Waggoner, The Forms. All in one place, in one day. For $12. You've gotta be kidding me. SXSW eat your heart out.

Get tickets/info here.

Listen:
Owen ["A Fever Analog"]
Aloha [ "Gold World"]
Anathallo ["The Angry Neighbor"]
Mock Orange ["Majestic Raincoat"]
Shapiro ["Right and Wrong"]
The Forms ["Bones"]
Brooke Waggoner ["Hush if You Must"]