The Madison-based Forward Collective -- a vibrant bunch of magazine editors, promoters, community organizers, bloggers and, above all -- the mighty force that unites them in harmony -- insatiable music lovers -- should be pretty damn proud of itself.

For a multitude of reasons, including highlighting diverse local music, attracting regional and national attention to Madison as a vibrant arts community and supporting local music charities, this group of ordinary individuals did something extraordinary: They got a bunch of really good national bands to play at a local music festival no one's ever heard of.

That's not a crack at Madison. No one's heard of the Forward Music Festival because this is the first one. It takes over the state capital on Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 20.

Over the last year, this dedicated den of go-getters went ahead and got commitments from the likes of Neko Case, Mason Jennings, Headlights and the Dillinger Four, and that's just the tip of the iceberg for this ambitious Midwestern music event. Forward has booked more than 50 acts across multiple Madison venues, including Orpheum Theatre, Orpheum Stage Door, Cafe Montmartre, High Noon Saloon, Majestic Theatre, The Frequency, Project Lodge and the Corral Room.

Eat your heart out, Austin. Madison's bringing the artists, agencies, labels and fans together for two days of entertainment at a fraction of the price ($25 per day, or $40 for a two-day pass.) It's gotten props from Pitchfork and Paste already, so you know it's got cool-kid approval.

Ladies and gentlement, the long-ass lineup:

Neko Case, Killdozer, Mason Jennings, Flosstradamus, Bob Mould, Dan Deacon, Leslie and the LYs, Dillinger Four, Detroit Cobras, Giant Sand, Dex Romweber Duo, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Blueheels, Star F*cking Hipsters, Monotonix, Pale Young Gentlemen, Decibully, Headlights, High Places, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down, Stars Like Fleas, Box Social, Chinese Telephones, Dead End Rejects, Scared of Chaka, John Statz, Josh Harty, Jeremiah Nelson, PWRFL Power, Nick Jaina, the Dials, Bongzilla, Droids Attack, The Alarmists, Daredevil Christopher Wright, Apparently Nothing, Rock Plaza Central, A Catapult Western, Helliphant, Brutal Knights, Dick the Bruiser, Heroin Sheiks, the Gomers, Grampall Jookabox, Crane Your Swan Neck, Coco Coca, Mute Era, VO5, Jentri Colello, Things Fall Apart, Screamin' Cyn Cyn and the Pons, Vid Libert, Nan Warshaw (co-owner of Bloodshot Records) DJing as Stand By Your Nan, Aleks and the Drummer, His and Her Vanities, Red Romero, Tune Yards, Skintones, Mr. Gnome, Rob Dz, El Guante, Dumate, Dietrich Gosser, Steez, Drunk Drivers, Knuckel Drager, Zebras, The Gusto, Brainerd, Gentleman Auction House, Yea Big and Kid Static, and OCD Automatic.

A portion of the proceeds from the Forward Music Festival goes toward working with the MAMA (Madison Area Music Awards) Foundation to put instruments in the hands of children and reinforce school music programs.