Rapper Lil John, indie rockers Spoon headline this year’s festival on Alumni Lawn.

Vanderbilt Programming Board’s Music Group has released the initial 2008 Rites of Spring lineup.

Indie rock band Spoon will headline Friday, April 18, and rapper Lil John will headline Saturday, April 19.

David Silverstein, co-chair of The Music Group, said the organization highly anticipates this year’s headliners and is excited for the lineup as a whole.

“I think Lil John will bring a fantastic level of energy for the Vanderbilt student community as well as the greater Nashville area that hasn’t been seen on Alumni Lawn,” Silverstein said. “And Spoon will bring a twist to the rock ’n’ roll sound I think everyone will enjoy.”

This year’s group of supporting artists consists of both established and up-and-coming musicians. The initial lineup includes Colbie Caillat, Old Crow Medicine Show, Feist, Hill Country Revue, the Avett Brothers, DJ Kool, Jeremy Lister, Randy Rogers Band, H-Beam and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Silverstein said the supporting lineup could be considered as good as a normal Rites lineup.

“From Feist to Old Crow to Colbie Caillat and the Hill Country Revue featuring members of North Mississippi Allstars, The Music Group has strived to bring the best talent in a wide array of genres,” he said.

“We strive to bring the best music to Vanderbilt University and Nashville and are very pleased with this year’s Rites of Spring,” Silverstein said. “The weekend will be packed with fantastic artists and bands ranging from rock to hip-hop, and we anticipate a great festival.”

F.Y.E. will sponsor this year’s Rites. The company will have an on-site presence at the festival and will sell tickets from the Ticketmaster outlet at its West End store.

Vanderbilt student tickets are $15 for a two-day pass and limited to one per student. The general public may purchase tickets individually or as weekend passes. A one-day pass is $35, a weekend pass purchased in advance is $45, and a weekend pass purchased April 18 is $55.

Tickets go on sale March 10 and can also be purchased from the Sarratt Box Office.

—Elizabeth Middlebrooks can be reached at