here's my US2¢ on the xx merge fest in carrboro. don't know if anyone else from here went. i'd been told about the size of the venue but was still surprised by the relatively small crowd of 500 or so. was lucky enough to get tickets for 3 nights & met people who travelled the length & breadth of america to be there.

standing for 7 hours each night until 2am was exhausting, but rewarding to see 19 merge bands.

highlights:
the opening set by Pure was also one of the best. they hadn't played together for 18 years - think the best of early 90s lo-fi, fuzzy guitar sound. if anyone has any music/or could find me some recordings by them i'll give you a cookie. all i can find from the 'net is this: have a listen http://www.rockthetriangle.com/podcasts/20060703_podcast.mp3

the magnetic fields - a magnificent surprise that they played the first night, complete with a visit from an unwanted guest on stage (a flying cochroach!)

conor oberst - mac joined them for a bit of tambourining and singalong on one song. thankfully kept the stuff from the new album to a minimum.

3Ds - a most anticipated set, brought the melodies disguised in screeching feedback to the satisified crowd.

superchunk - with such boundless energy it made the mostly...erm...more mature crowd jump about like enthusiastic 19 year olds again.

essex green (tremendous sunshine pop) and spent (not played together for 22 years?) made the friday night one of the best.

lambchop - blew everyone away with a most intense version of 'once in a lifetime', kurt wagner leaned out into the audience like a mad southern preacher.

polvo's set was everything it should be: loud, heavy, with precision.

all in all a fine celebration of the 90s and merge. might go again in 5 years' time.

tl:dr? no one else went? end of thread?