Maximum Ames Music Festival returning Sept. 20-23

Last year the Maximum Ames record label kicked off the initial Maximum Ames Music Festival. Headlined by the formerly Ames-based Mountain Goats as well as Xiu Xiu, the festival featured 120 bands at multiple venues around Ames.

The festival has a return date, Sept. 20-23, and organizers are planning more than 130 bands this year at 23 different Ames venues.

Who will play? The first lineup announcement will be made July 16, though pre-sale tickets will go on sale July 12 through Midwestix. So you've got some time to think about it.

I'll go out on a limb and guess that Christopher the Conquered and Mumford's will perform, since members of those bands founded the Maximum Ames label and are involved with organizing the fest.

I'll keep you updated as more news comes out.