Promotional logo for Dreamville Festival.
The “end of an era” is what Atlanta-based rap duo EarthGang tweeted in reference to their performance at month’s Dreamville festival. Dreamville, held annually at Raleigh’s Dorothea Dix Park, has come to a close, at least in its current form. Considering this, many are wondering what is next for live music in the Triangle.
While Raleigh will still have Hopscotch in its downtown area each fall, the desire for a major Rap and R&B festival is clear with the massive crowds and several hundred dollar ticket combos that pop up with each Dreamville festival. J. Cole, a Fayetteville native who created Dreamville Records, has teased a continuation of the festival in “a different form,” yet it’s unclear whether this prospect will still be at Dix Park.
The city of Raleigh has expressed a desire to hold a new festival at Dix Park to replace Dreamville. Where Dreamville attracts major headliners like Lil Wayne, 21 Savage, SZA, and more, a locally-backed effort can present an opportunity for North Carolina-based artists to perform at such a large stage. Such an opportunity could allow local rappers to gain a greater presence in the regional music scene and possibly gain traction to book larger and larger stages.
Beyond Dix, local organizers and promoters can play a role in boosting venues in Raleigh and other Triangle cities to boost the regional profile. Live Nation’s involvement in the new festival at Dix has already been reported, so an independent alternative could be a welcome sight for Triangle live music fans. Local venues don’t just boost the area’s cultural capital, but can also be a site where aforementioned local artists, especially rappers, can gain new listeners and an active audience.
Overall, despite Dreamville’s departure and/or transformation being a major change for live music in the Triangle, it also presents an opportunity for local or independent venues and artists to gain traction among new audiences.