The eight-day fest's two standout movies this year are both showing on opening night, Wednesday, at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis. "First Avenue: HayDay," which screens at 7 p.m., is a collection of old live footage and interviews compiled by Rick Fuller, half of the reputable video and filmmaking crew Harder/Fuller Films. Bands featured include the Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, Babes in Toyland, etc.

The other big film is "Loudquietloud: A Film About the Pixies," showing at 9:30 p.m. A hit at the South by Southwest Film Conference, the documentary follows the band's 2004 tour from rehearsals to finale. Portions were filmed at the Fine Line in Minneapolis, where the tour kicked off.

Other Sound Unseen highlights include documentaries on the quirky Trachtenburg Family Sideshow Players, unsung jazz hero Albert Ayler, Sympathy for the Record Industry label founder Long Gone John, and Sufjan Stevens' Christian cohorts, the Danielson Family. There's also a band vs. fan bowling night to go along with a "Big Lebowski" screening Saturday. Check out www.soundunseen.com.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER