Tuesday, July 13, 2010 The Hold Steady, The New Pornographers, Handsome Furs, and Sloan among initial acts confirmed for 2010 Halifax Pop Explosion ... festival wristbands available now! The Halifax Pop Explosion (HPX) has announced the initial acts confirmed for its 2010 line-up, including: The Hold Steady, Sonic Concerts presents: The New Pornographers, Handsome Furs, and Sloan. Taking place from October 19-23 in Halifax, NS, the festival is celebrating the introduction of its new festival wristband by offering a limited number for a reduced price. The Halifax Pop Explosion was founded in 1993. It has become one the country's premiere showcases of emerging music, art and culture from Halifax, Canada and around the world. This year will feature the festival's biggest and best line-up to date. It also sees the introduction of the festival wristband, which allows festival goers access to all Halifax Pop Explosion venues (subject to capacity) with the exception of the Rebecca Cohn and the Forum Multipurpose Room. "I am so happy to be able to announce such an exciting initial lineup for the 2010 Halifax Pop Explosion," says Executive Director Jonny Stevens. "We're working hard to make it more affordable through the support of our amazing sponsors and partners and can't wait to spend a week with our favorite bands and their fans Oct 19-23." Bands confirmed for the festival thus far, include: renowned and critically revered rock act, The Hold Steady; Sonic Concerts presents: 2010 Polaris Long List nominees, The New Pornographers (ft. Neko Case); Sub Pop recording artists, Handsome Furs; Basia Bulat with Symphony Nova Scotia; legendary Canadian rockers, Sloan; Juno award winning folk artist,  Old Man Luedecke; world renowned power trio,  High on Fire; Miami based sludge metal act,  Torche; a special reunion show by influential indie rock act, North of America; acclaimed troubadour and Broken Social Scene member,  Jason Collett; influential post-punk act, Rockets Red Glare;  Savannah based psych rock act,  Kylesa; and melodic folk act, Great Lake Swimmers. Other acts confirmed for the festival include:   Bad Vibrations,   Great Bloomers,   The Famines,   Jon McKiel,   Mt. Royal,   Silly Kissers, and   Wordburglar. Festival wristbands are available for $50.00 (the first 200 sold at $35.99). They are available by phone at 1-888-311-9090, online at http://ww3.ticketpro.ca/groups.php?id=59, or in person at any Ticketpro point of sale. A very limited number of individual tickets will be put on sale in August. Tickets for Sonic Concerts Presents: The New Pornographers at the Forum Multipurpose Room are $32.50 in advance and $37.50 day of show (including tax) PLUS service charge and go on sale THIS Friday, July 16 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at all Ticketpro outlets, including United Bookstore (1669 Barrington St), Video Difference (6086 Quinpool Rd & 1239 Bedford Hwy), Halifax Forum (2901 Windsor St), Alderney Landing (2 Octerloney St) and CD Heaven (118 Wyse Rd), by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online at www.sonicconcerts.com.  Major credit cards are accepted and service charges apply.  This show is open to all ages with a licensed area for those 19+ with VALID ID. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets for Basia Bulat and Symphony Nova Scotia are $52.00 for "A" seating, $45.00 for "B" seating, and $29.00 for "C" seating. Tickets will be available on Tuesday, August 03 at 10 a.m. They are available in person at the Dalhousie University Arts Centre box office (6101 University Ave), by phone at (902) 494-3820 or (toll free) 1 800 874-1669, and online at http://artscentre.dal.ca/#Events. The Citadel Hotel is the HPX 2010 host hotel. It will be a hub of action with activities such as The Music Matters Conference, showcases, festival registration and key note presentations all taking place at the centrally located hotel. The Citadel is currently offering the discounted rate of $115 per night with discounted parking. Please contact the Citadel Hotel Reservations dept at  1.800.565.7162 or www.citadelhalifax.com -30- Thanks to our sponsors: Molson Canadian, Sirius Satellite Radio Canada, Roland Canada, Lixar IT, The Coast, Q104, 101.3 The Bounce, Centre for Arts and Technology, SOCAN, Symphony Nova Scotia, Sonic Concerts, Marcato Digital, Advanced Screen Printing, Airfire.ca Exclaim.ca, Dose.ca, Vice Magazine, Radio Starmaker Fund, Pigeon Row, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia Dept. Tourism, Culture and Heritage and  Heritage Canada.  For more information on The 2010 Halifax Pop Explosion, visit: http://halifaxpopexplosion.com/ Press inquiries are welcome:  Matt Charlton, Pigeon Row Public Relations (902) 233-4073 | matt@pigeonrow.com