The Walkmen bring the party party, but not likely Stephen Harper, to the Bronson Centre on Friday.

The Capital Idea! Festival is already underway, having already seen Quebecers The Besnard Lakes and Sunset Rubdown headline their respective shows on the first two nights.
But by golly, don't you worry: the rock will still be brought over the course of 9 shows in the next 8 nights, the first half of which has been summarized into this handy little guide below.

It's actually pretty exciting to see some of these names come to town, some of them without even having Montreal or Toronto shows scheduled around the date, which makes you feel so much more special as an Ottawanianite, don't it? We don't usually get that sort of treatment in these parts, and hey, maybe this is being slightly overthetop, but this brings a bit of hope that maybe those ways are changing. Or not. Time will tell. Don't count your eggs before they're hatched! History is written by the winners, and a stitch in time saves nine.

It's also nice to see the big names almost all paired with local acts, who'll get exposure they wouldn't have before. Take Fucked Corpse, for example: they get to play to fans of Chris Garneau! dial613 is crossing fingers for an impromptu collaboration, but will settle for the awkward juxtaposition.

And for your convenience, dial613's mathematical mind has also figured out that, if you plan on going to every show, the $99 festival pass (available at the doors for all shows) is still worth buying up until the Xiu Xiu show on 25th. After that, taking it show by show is the way to go. Yo!

Speaking of Xiu Xiu, that could be the festival show that dial613 is most looking forward to. Which show(s) are you capital idealising?

dial613 reader's guide to Capital Idea!, pt. 1: days 3-6

Day 3 - Friday, June 22
The Walkmen with Relief Maps* and Acres*, at The Bronson Centre
-->The Walkmen - Louisiana
-->Relief Maps - Pattersickle
Doors 8PM, $25.

Day 4 - Saturday, June 23
The Wrens with The Darling Arms and Poorfolk*, at Babylon
-->The Wrens - Everyone Chooses Sides
-->Poorfolk - Demons
Doors 7PM, $18.

Day 5 - Sunday, June 24
Frog Eyes with Books On Books* and People For Audio, at Zaphod's
-->Frog Eyes - Achaean Press
-->Books On Books - One Page At A Time
Doors 8PM, $15.

Day 6 - Monday, June 25
Xiu Xiu with Fucked Corpse* and Chris Garneau, at Babylon
-->Xiu Xiu - I Luv The Valley
-->Chris Garneau - Not Nice
Doors 9PM, $15.

* denotes local act

note: keep in mind that the headlining act generally starts either 2 or 3 hours after doors.