Of Montreal - Charlottesville

Back in 2008, the sprawling and storied Athens, Georgia psych-pop tribe the Elephant 6 collective launched the Holiday Surprise tour. The idea was that members of these interweaving bands-- including Neutral Milk Hotel, of Montreal, the Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, and plenty of others-- would collaborate each evening, switching off instruments and playing each other's songs. Early next year, they'll do it again, crossing the U.S. with a huge lineup of over 14 musicians that includes many of the collective's stalwarts.

This year's tour will feature short films, as well as audience participation games lead by Music Tapes frontman Julian Koster. We're promised songs by bands such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, Circulatory System, the Music Tapes, and more, performed by Will Cullen Hart, Bill Doss, Peter Erchick, John Fernandes, Julian Koster, Scott Spillane, Andrew Rieger, Laura Carter, Derek Almstead, Heather McIntosh, Bryan Poole, Theo Hilton, Robbie Cucchiaro, and others.

During the 2008 tour, reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum put in a few appearances. Considering that Mangum has been warming to the idea of showing his face in public lately, there's at least a remote possibility that he'll rejoin his old crew for a show or two on this tour.