Our colleague on the music beat, David Menconi, is reporting that James Taylor may be returning to North Carolina soon to perform on behalf of Barack Obama.

Menconi says it would be the biggest local political-rally show since Arcade Fire performed in May.

An Obama spokeswoman told Menconi that she could neither confirm nor deny that Taylor is coming.

Tickets for available today for a couple of indie rockers who will be performing next week to help Barack Obama get people out to vote.

Superchunk and Arcade Fire are scheduled to perform in Greensboro on May 1 and in Carrboro on May 2.

Details on ticket sales after the jump.

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Barack Obama is locking up the indie vote.

Not unaffiliated voters, mind you, but indie rockers. The Democratic presidential candidate will hold two concerts featuring independent-label bands Superchunk and Arcade Fire to encourage young voters to cast their ballots early.

Superchunk is a beloved Chapel Hill band best known for a song — whose title is unprintable here — about a particularly slothful Kinko's coworker. Arcade Fire is an arty Montreal band that draws on the Talking Heads for inspiration.

The bands will play at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex Pavilion parking lot at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, and at Carrboro Town Commons at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 2. Tickets are free, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

The concerts are designed to highlight Obama's early voting effort, held early in the afternoon so that attendees can cast one-stop ballots afterward.

Barack Obama may hold a major rally in Carrboro on May 2.

The event has not been officially confirmed, but the Carrboro Citizen reports that town officials are planning for a rally and rock concert on Friday afternoon at the Town Commons.

Town Manager Steve Stewart said the event, a concert and rally for the Illinois senator and leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, would be unprecendent since it will happen during business hours, while typically large events at Town Commons are held on weekends. The Obama campaign asked for the time slot, he said, because they want to be able to encourage attendees to take advantage of the early-voting site nearby at Town Hall.

The Citizen reports that local indie legends Superchunk and current Canadian darlings Arcade Fire will be on the bill for the concert. 

The town expects between 3,000 and 4,000 people to attend.