Music

Matador in our midst

Pavement set to headline indie label’s October Vegas blowout

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Pavement’s Stephen Malkmus (left) and Mark Ibold hit town in October.
Photo: Michael Mishak

"Hey, Spencer, what’s your all-time favorite record label?” Hmm ... I’d say Matador. “Which of their active bands are you most into?" Probably Pavement. “Where you living these days?” Vegas. “Favorite venue there?” The Pearl’s nice.

That conversation never actually took place, but it might as well have, given what’s headed to town this fall. Iconic indie label Matador Records will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a three-day, band-filled bash right freaking here, October 1-3. Why Vegas? Might have something to do with that 21—maybe a blackjack reference, maybe a what better place to celebrate your 21st birthday than Vegas kinda deal. They’re calling the fest The Lost Weekend.

Few details have been revealed—apart from the event’s co-promoters, Goldenvoice (the folks behind Coachella) and LA’s noisy FYF Fest—but a good source tells us the host venue will be the Pearl. And that Pavement is set to headline. The just-reunited alt-luminaries play LA’s Hollywood Bowl one night earlier, with Sonic Youth (whose latest album happens to be on ... Matador Records!).

What else might we see? Matador’s active roster includes Belle & Sebastian, Dead Meadow, Harlem, Mission of Burma, Mogwai, The New Pornographers, Ted Leo and Yo La Tengo. Among the label’s “alumni”: Bardo Pond, Bettie Serveert, Chavez, Cornelius, Guided By Voices, Helium, Interpol, Liz Phair, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Thinking Fellers Union Local 282.

Updated (May 10): It appears Pavement will headline Night 1 (October 1), according to the updated Pearl listings at online concert hub Pollstar.com.

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