Shhhhhhh. Don?t tell anyone this band?s in Baltimore

We?ll also tell you how to see them live yourself in a few days.

Of course, some of the news about the show will soon leak.

Let?s face it, one point of the show is to prompt music lovers to text each other.

“They generally want to generate some excitement,” said Eliot Wadsworth, one of the publicists at Nasty Little Man, New York, about such “secret shows.”

“It?s great because in this day and age you can get the word out in a matter of seconds.”

But while Wadsworth and others know the message about this band?s show will spread quickly, arranging a show such as this is anything but quick.

Generally record label execs look at the bands that bring in larger-than-expected attendance to their shows, have new record releases or have appeared on major television programs that started a buzz.

This band sold out New York and San Francisco shows a month prior to its latest album release. No surprise when you consider the band?s previous release was hailed as the best 16 minutes of music in recent memory.

Oops. We?re saying too much again!

Well, these shows are tricky. Promoters have to find a free venue that is the right size. After all, no one wants to play in a half empty club or watch their fans turn around in disgust, because they?re packed in like sardines. And of course they need the right city. Baltimore is a top choice because of fans.

“Baltimore is an interesting market for us,” said Aaron Redner of Hot Buttered Rum. “From the first show it caught on and took off. People there really like the music and put the word out to their friends, so we play bigger and bigger shows there. … It?s great.”

And just what do the musical princes who will play Baltimore?s free show think?

Alas, they were snoozing well past our paper?s deadline so we?ll tell you that Monday, too.

Until then, spend some time on MySpace.com or watch a movie. “Juno” is good.