Thursday:
I’m ready to kick off Thursday evening with the grooves and rhythms of Professor Toon & the Real Laww and then De La Soul at City Plaza. I may duck out a bit early to catch some contemporary Americana sounds from Wild Fur at Lincoln Theater. Later, I’ll make my way to one of my favorite spots in Raleigh, Tir na nOg Irish pub, to see what quirky complexities Blanko Basnet has in store for the Hopscotch crowd. I’ll do my best to catch some of Marley Carroll’s electronic set at Kennedy Theater, then finish off my exhausting first night with the Vermonty free folk of MV & EE at the Hive.
Friday:
My Hopscotch night number two will be just as incredibly packed, starting with the stellar City Plaza line up of NC-natives Lonnie Walker, the ever-immaculate St. Vincent, and forever-rockin’ Spoon. This City Plaza line up is my most anticipated of the festival. From there, I’ll make my way to CAM Raleigh to see local music heroes GHOSTT BLLONDE.Next up is more of the complex rhythms I crave with Celestial Shore at Fletcher Opera Theater. Finally, I’ll make my way back to Tir na nOg to see Mapei, who is coming all the way from wonderful Sweden to rock Raleigh.
Saturday:
With any and all energy I have remaining, I’ll be back out in full force on Saturday night. I’m anticipating the later shows Saturday, but will still check out City Plaza for Valient Thorr, Death, and Mastodon. I am eager for sassy girl pop from See Gulls at Deep South Bar followed by cool folk from Weyes Blood and then fun jams from Ava Luna as I camp out at Tir na nOg for a while. Closing out a fantastic three days, I’ll be at CAM Raleigh for soothing electronic melodies from How to Dress Well and Jamie XX.
Note: In between all these shows, you’re sure to spot me on a bicycle of sorts, since the most fun distance between two points is a bike ride.
See you there, Hopscotch’ers!