In what may be the best reason to show up to St. Louis a week early for fall 2011 classes, Loufest, a new summer music festival in Forest Park, just announced the lineup for its two-day August event, and boy, is it impressive!

Headlining Loufest 2011 are The Roots and TV on the Radio. Probably the most acclaimed rap group to play music while “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” goes to commercial, The Roots are known for their live act, anchored by drummer Questlove’s beats, if not his ‘fro. The last two albums from TV on the Radio were ranked the number one albums of their respective years by Spin magazine. Their live act utilizes a complete horn section, elevating their funk-punk rock to considerably epic heights. Both acts have also appeared on “The Colbert Report” if that’s how you judge your music.

Also performing are several folk and alternative acts including Cat Power, Deerhunter, The Hold Steady, and many others whom we would be beyond excited to have come to Wash. U. For two days in August, they will be within walking distance.

Last year marked the first ever Loufest, which featured Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, the Canadian band Broken Social Scene, and Titus Andronicus. This year’s lineup is decidedly bolder, with folksy bands smartly balanced with pulse-thumping headliners. This is a progressive step as Loufest moves closer to carving out its niche among more established summer music festivals.

Tickets are $64 and cover all 18 shows on two stages Aug. 27 and 28, making them significantly cheaper than similar events, which boast triple-digit day passes. So if you start to feel the boredom of summer creep in, Loufest might be the very thing that makes you weirdly excited to start school again.