In honoring the late electronic music pioneer Dr. Robert Moog, I will admit that I’ve never pronounced his name correctly and will hereafter pronounce it properly (rhymes with “vogue”). It will be relatively miniscule gesture compared to MoogFest, a unique and growing festival honoring the doc’s vast contributions to the modern musical landscape. After a strong debut at its new location in Asheville, NC last year, MoogFest 2011 boasts a diverse lineup filled with exclusive performances and exciting acts from all walks of genres.

Leading the festival this year are The Flaming Lips, Passion Pit, STS9, and a rare US appearance from synth-punk pioneers Suicide, performing their lauded first album in its entirety. Other big highlights from vanguards of avant electronic and pop music include Ghostland Observatory, Crystal Castles, Chromeo, Battles, Umphrey’s McGee, Mayer Hawthorne & The Country, M83, Tim Hecker, Toro Y Moi, Austra, Matthew Dear, Gold Panda, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, and an exclusive performance from German electronic/spacerock explorers Tangerine Dream.

Still going strong, Holy Fuck, Twin Shadow, The Naked and Famous, Causing A Tiger, Anika, Cant, and many more round out this intial lineup, with more bands to be announced in the coming months leading up to the festival.

The visionary fest will take place Oct. 28-30th at various locations around Asheville, including the Asheville Civic Center Area, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, and the Orange Peel Social & Pleasure Club. Between the music, you can also catch various workshops, talks, interactive experiences, art exhibitions and installations, and a chance to fiddle around with a variety of Moog instruments during the fest. It’s the equivalent of sitting down at a guitar shop and playing “Stairway To Heaven”, only you have to play “Autobahn”.

Weekend passes for Moogfest 2011 will go on sale on Saturday, June 4, at 12:00 PM EST only at Moogfest.com. Check out the website for a complete list of bands and more information about the festival.

Absolutely we’ll see you there.