The always busy members of The National will curate two festivals this year. The group as a whole will curate an All Tomorrow’s Parties festival at Minehead, UK’s Butlins Holiday Centre from December 7-9, 2012. In addition to The National, the festival will feature an eclectic mix of performers: Kronos Quartet, The Antlers, Owen Pallett, Boris, Tim Hecker, Sharon Van Etten, My Brightest Diamond , Wye Oak, Lower Dens and Megafaun, Suuns, Dark Dark Dark and Buke and Gase. This will be The National’s only 2012 performace in the UK. The event will also feature DJs, a selection of films chosen by the members of The National and a Book Club curated by The National.

In addition, National guitarists Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner will curate the Crossing Brooklyn Ferry festival at Brooklyn, NY’s BAM from May 3-5, the Dessners will take over BAM’s spaces to curate a music festival. Each of the three nights features a different selection of New York artists as well as screenings of commissioned short films and accompanying scores. A late-night dance party will also take place. As previously reported, the members of The National will also oversee a Grateful Dead tribute album.