Few band reunions this year have got the indie kids salivating as much as the return of Neutral Milk Hotel, the '90s lo-fi pop perennials whose sophomore LP, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, is routinely listed as one of the decade's best. Reclusive leader Jeff Mangum had been edging back into the limelight for a few years now, but it was announced on April 29 that he'd be reconvening with old bandmates Jeremy Barnes, Scott Spillane and Julian Koster for a handful of dates later in the year. Japanese fans will be pleased to hear that these include an appearance at the winter edition of the Hostess Club Weekender festival, where the group share headlining duties with Atlanta art rockers Deerhunter.
Update (June 14): US indie veterans Sebadoh and – more unexpectedly – cult Syrian singer Omar Souleyman have been added to the lineup, alongside relative newcomers Austra and Temple.