Tortoise are the official "curators" of the event, and it would appear that it was members of that band who convinced the guys in Television to reform. One wouldn't imagine John McEntire as a particularly persuasive soul, but one would be wrong in that estimation; the man knows just when to release the catches on the cash-laden briefcase, and the exact right way to rub the coconut oil into Tom Verlaine's back.

Other confirmed performers for the festival include Yo La Tengo, Broadcast, ESG, Calexico, Femi Kuti, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Company Flow, Cannibal Ox, the Ex, Savath + Savalis, the Sea and Cake, and Boards of Canada; the authorities involved promise more big names to surface in the coming weeks, as well. If you can't pony up the dough for international plane fare, don't hang yourself yet; it seems that an American version of the event will be taking place next October at the UCLA campus. No reports on whether Television or any of the other bands will be there, although the "curators" will likely be Sonic Youth. We'll see if Thurston Moore knows precisely how Verlaine likes his spicy ahi tuna rolls served. We'll just see.