For over ten years Raleigh has been home to the three day music festival, Hopscotch. Because of Covid-19, there was no festival last year, but it is returning this week with a star studded line-up of acts which include Carolina Polachek, Animal Collective, Parquet Courts, and Dr. Dog.
For many people it might be too expensive to attend the festival, but unlike most festivals, Hopscotch has day parties that are free and open to the public. All you need is proof of vaccination or a negative covid test and you can enjoy shows at Hopscotch for free! Music venues all over Raleigh are hosting day parties with a variety of local bands. Venues like the Pour House, Ruby Deluxe, Slim’s, The Night Rider, Lincoln Theater, and other locations will be home to these day parties.
WKNC and the NCSU Libraries are hosting a party on Thursday September 9th from 12pm to 3pm. Outside of the DH Hill Jr. Library, Sand Pact, en-decay, JOB, and Mid Century Modular will be performing. There’s a few acts that will be playing multiple shows throughout the weekend that you can catch like BANGZZ; a punk duo from Durham, The Veldt; an alternative-shoegaze band, and Tongues of Fire; a heavy alternative band from Asheville.
Day parties are a great way to spend the weekend, hanging out with friends and seeing live music, you can even discover your new favorite artist. I haven’t listened to many of the artists, but I am excited to go to some day parties and see different bands. One day party I’m already excited to go to is at Ruby Deluxe on Friday. Wednesday, an indie rock, shoegaze band from Asheville, NC is playing and their latest album, Twin Plagues, is one of my favorite releases from 2021. The album effortlessly blends blissful guitar sounds, heavy bass tones, classic indie rock guitar licks, and admirably raw and honest lyrics. The show will be outside from 12-5pm along with Google Dolls, BANGZZ, Tall Juan, and Spider Bags.
You can view the official day party schedule on the Hopscotch website to plan your weekend of shows!