Hopscotch 2025 was action-packed with an intensity that did not settle until the final note was played. From day parties to the main stages, there was no lack of entertainment downtown Raleigh this year. Let’s break it down day by day with some personal experiences of mine sewn in!
Day one of Hopscotch kicked off with the WKNC Day Party at D.H. Hill Library. Paperbrains opened the festival with a bang! After their set, it was off to the main stages for the day. I spent the majority of the day at Moore Square, seeing artists like MIDS, Frog, and Unwound. The stars of the stage for the day, in my opinion, were MIDS. They were the stage opener, and they set the bar high. The energy was unmatched.
Once the sun set, it was time to head over to the City Plaza for the night. I was able to work my way to the front of the crowd for Earl Sweatshirt. This was by far one of my favorite sets of the festival. From the “mood board” of a surfing dog to the appearance of MAVI, there was no lack of pure entertainment at this set!
Day two was less music-based for me as I spent a considerable amount of time at the Skate Raleigh event. This also happened to be the day that I realized I was allowed to bring a camera into the venues (shocker, right).
Photo by Lachlan Vester
Geese was a fan favorite of the day, with the crowd even throwing the band an NC State red Cookout shirt. While I wasn’t able to snap a picture of it, I’m sure one exists out there somewhere! On the musical side, Geese was one of my favorite acts of the festival, with their stage presence being unmatched. One of my favorite parts of the whole set was when Cameron Winter (the frontman of Geese) drank a cup of tea on stage before their set. This little piece of humanity was nice to see on stage for me.
Day three was spent almost entirely at the Moore Square for me, with artists such as Sluice and Superchunk being the standouts for me (although I wasn’t able to see Crumb because of the rain). Superchunk was by far the most fun for me personally on day three. The energy on stage, along with the colors and visual effects, made for a near-perfect concert experience.
Right after Superchunk finished their set, the rain set in, sending everyone into hiding. I personally had to leave the venue completely as I was equipped with a press bag and my precious camera (and a lens that was not mine). I was devastated to miss out on Crumb; however, the festival was so amazing that my feelings didn’t stay hurt for long.
For my overall picks from Hopscotch, Superchunk gets the number three spot. They had an all-around great show with amazing lighting and stage presence. Number two has to go to MIDS as they played early in the day and brought the energy despite the heat. Number one has to go to Earl Sweatshirt. His performance was electric and exactly what Hopscotch needed to close out its first night.
The festival was a core memory, and I truly believe that anyone in the Raleigh area should attend any and every year that they can.
— Lachlan Vester