The pairing seems a little odd at first glance…and even at second glance. Raleigh’s artsy Annuals project an Animal Collective meets Arcade Fire sound, whereas Atlanta’s Manchester Orchestra feels more like an emo band in Whiskeytown clothing. They certainly didn’t attract the same group of fans and in between sets there was a visible changing of the guard in the area right in front of the stage.

Still, the co-headliners actually have a lot in common. Both young bands from Southern states have gone from virtually unknown to major label record deals over the course of the past year and both have spent that time period touring relentlessly as opening acts for any and everybody. Both acts were ready to shift to headliner status and each brought egregious amounts of energy and intensity to their sets.