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Festival Coverage

I Just Wanna Dance… AT HOPSCOTCH

Even though Hopscotch is known for having mainly indie-rock artists, there are a few hip hop and electronic acts that should be noted! The following list is for people who love to dance and want to have some fun. 

Thursday:
Injury Reserve, Joey Purp, and Earth Gang @ Lincoln

Friday:
No Love @ Kings
Channel Tres @ Imurj

Saturday:
Grace Ives @ Imurj
Gudiya, Jasmyn Milan, Zah and Estoc @ Wicked Witch

If you’re interested in hip hop and rap Thursday night at Lincoln is a big night you won’t want to miss and if you’re in love with electronic music you must check out Wicked Witch on Saturday. 

Even if hip hop and electronic music aren’t your thing, it’s definitely worth checking out and could be a nice break from your typical indie-rock shows at Hopscotch.

-DJ Short Strides

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Festival Coverage

WKNC Hopscotch Day Party Artist Feature: Juxton Roy

With Hopscotch right around the corner, and WKNC’s Day Party at Legends following closely in its wake– how better to promote both events than by give y’all a lil’ insight into our Day Party Line-up!

WKNC’s Day Party description is as follows.

This year has been full of milestones, and WKNC aims to celebrate them all. 2019 held Raleigh’s first ever Pride Festival, was the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and marks ten years of Hopscotch. With this in mind, WKNC’s Hopscotch Day Party aims to promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ affiliated artists from across the state to keep the Pride Party going all year long! Featuring Petrov, Emily Musolino, Juxton Roy, Through the Tallwoods, Black Bouquet, and To Julian, the party will be hosted on Saturday, September 7th at Legends Club. This event is all-ages and supported by the NC State GLBT Center.

This will be a series up until the Day Party, so the questions will be the same, but we can guarantee that every artist will add their own personal flare to each answer.

Juxton Roy is a self-described queermo band that has strong ties in the DIY scene of the Triangle, though they may take a more business-oriented route to musical success. Nonetheless, their music is empowered and raw, tugging at your heartstrings in the only way they know how– with honesty.

Read the second artist of this series’ answers– Juxton Roy.

  1. Give us a lil rundown of how your band got formed! When/where/how/why!  Juxton started sometime in 2017, as an idea to start an alt-country band that slowly blossomed into genreless project we are now. It was a slow year of rehearsing and writing the songs that eventually would make up our debut “Why are you so afraid of ___”. We solidified our first lineup in that time and played our first show at Sound Off records in April of that 2018. We picked up our manager, Jonas, during that time as well which led to us being picked up by Emo Raleigh. We then did things backwards by recording our debut immediately after our first show but we’ve hit the ground running ever since.  Playing more and more shows. We’ve been nonstop ever since. 
  2. What can an audience member expect from one of your shows? Our shows are an experience. We aim to create a space of community and catharsis all at once. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of singalongs, and a big sense of unity. The goal is create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people to feel safe in a scene predominantly led by cis white men. We make at point at every show to always say that with Jux, you are safe, seen, valid and our family. 
  3. Do you see performance as a task or an endeavor? In that vein, what part about performing is most challenging or liberating? That’s an interesting question, I don’t know if I (Jess) would ever see performance as a task. Endeavor doesn’t quite sound right either but it may be closer. We put all of who we are into our live performance. We make a point to never play the same setlist twice. I think all of us are really channeling our varied experiences into the music when we perform it live, and it comes out as this loud, almost worshipful form of honest catharsis. Everything we are as people is laid bare on that stage, so I guess it could be an endeavor cause it can be draining to do that. But it also feels really good to do it, to look an audience in the eye and know you’re going through the same thing. Performance is more validating for us then a task or an endeavor. 
  4. What does Pride mean to you? How do you embody those meanings in your music? In your everyday life? Another great question. Pride to me means visibility. It means being seen and heard, acknowledged and safe. It means not denoting the LGBTQIA+ experience down to one singular narrative. Queer voices are varied and beautiful and rarely listened to, especially in this day and age. It’s amazing that Hopscotch and WKNC are including more queer centered shows and events, it’s something I cherish. Within Juxton, we approach pride within our music and shows. We stay visibly queer not as an act of defiance, but as an invitation for dialogue and the opportunity to create safe spaces for people who may not find that often enough. Our music touches on a lot of issues, be it mental health, gender identity, drug/alcohol abuse, and the ever confusing concept of love. But it always circles back to our overarching message of self love, self acceptance and community. I think that’s important in any scene. Especially for people who go to shows looking for acceptance/answers. There’s to many bands around doing it solely because they want to/are good at it. That’s not good enough anymore, you have to stand for something, in my opinion. 
  5. What are you most excited about during Hopscotch?  I’m still hoping I’ll be able to go to some of the main bill shows but I’m really excited about the Museum Mouth/Kissisippi show. Same goes for the Sarah Shook and the Disarmers set. So many of our friends are playing as well and it’s hard to narrow it down. Stand outs to me would be Through the Tallwoods are playing with us at the WKNC showcase, that band is full of amazing people and they rip. 
  6. For the tenth anniversary of Hopscotch, what would you ten years ago think about you now? I don’t think ten years ago I was aware of the existence of Hopscotch hahaha. I don’t think then I would’ve ever thought I would be entering my second year of playing it so I guess I would be proud of myself. I don’t think anyone in Juxton ever thought we’d be where we are now as fast as we got there, and we’re all really grateful for it. 
  7. Please list some fun facts about your band!  
    • Our guitarist Matt is in approximately 10k bands(Flood District, Fredfin Wallaby) and they all rip. Same goes for our drummer Parker(Hi-Dive).    
    • Our name may or may not be based on a drunken Sean Connery accent.
    • Juxton Roy will have new music out this year, and it sounds sounds absolutely bonkers. We’re really proud of it. 

You can learn more about Juxton Roy by visiting their Facebook page or Instagram (@juxtonroy) and, of course, by attending WKNC’s Hopscotch Day Party. It will be held at Legends Club on Saturday, September 7th and begins at noon! 

How else can I convince you other than saying its Prideful, FREE, and on a WEEKEND? BE THERE!!!!

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Festival Coverage

Hopscotch Day Parties: How to Survive and Thrive

Three days of live music can take a lot out of you. This guide will show you how to attend day parties in addition to the festival and still have enough energy to get the most out of your Hopscotch experience.

The full list of Hopscotch day parties can be found here: https://hopscotchmusicfest.com/hopscotch-day-party-series-2019/

Plan for The Festival
Make a schedule of who you want to see at the festival. Take into consideration the genre of music and the location of the venues. Even though all the venues at Hopscotch are close together, it can get exhausting running back and forth every night. You should also take note if someone you want to see live is also playing a day party.

Now Plan for Day Parties
I suggest planning your day parties in accordance to your festival schedule so that you have one high energy time and one low energy time. For example, I plan on seeing all of the high energy hip hop and rap groups at Hopscotch on Friday night so I plan on making my day party schedule for Friday quite relaxed. Hopscotch is a marathon not a sprint! Take it easy and take care of yourself.

Schedule Breaks
Make sure to add breaks to your schedule!! Factor in meals, water breaks, and general rest breaks.

Have Fun
Go to the day parties and have a blast!

My Top Picks for Day Parties:
Thursday
Imurj: noon – 5 p.m.
GEM Productions Presents: Thursday Shmursday Day Party
The Muslims, Cosmic Punk, The Augurs, Fish Dad
Sponsored by Fiction Kitchen and Raleigh Brewing Company
Cash Donations accepted to benefit GirlsRockNC
Free food from Fiction Kitchen while supplies last
Free samples from Raleigh Brewing Company

Friday
Imurj: noon – 5 p.m.
GEM Productions Presents:
M8alla, ZenSoFly, Tanajah, Sonny Miles
Cash Donations collected to benefit Neighbor2Neighbor

Ruby Deluxe: noon – 5 p.m.
To the Front: A Hopscotch Day Party Hosted by The Pinhook and Ruby Deluxe
Vaxxers (12:00), The Muslims (12:45), Cold Cream (1:30), TRIPPLE X SNAXXX (2:15), Bangzz (3:00), Loamlands (3:45), Khxos (4:00)
Tables by and donations accepted for NC Resists and Siembra
Feat DJ’s Gemynii (of The Conjure) and Luxe Posh

Carolina Waves x K97.5 Present:
DJ RNB (12:00), FAMMO (12:45), BRASSIOUS MONK (1:00), DAVAUN (1:20), CHYNA VONNE (1:45), SK THE NOVELIST (2:00), TY HARRIZ (2:25), 3AMSOUND (2:55), KRAWZBONEZ (3:20), LO$T GENERATION (3:55), TANAJAH (4:35)
Hosted by K97.5’s Mir.I.am & Red Jones Feat. DJ RNB.
Draft Specials from Raleigh Brewing, Liquor Specials from Don Julio, Free Food from Johnny’s Pizza

Saturday
Legend’s Nightclub (330 W Hargett St.): noon – 4:30 p.m.
WKNC Day Party
Through the Tallwoods (12:00), Juxton Roy (12:45), To Julian (1:30), Black Bouquet (2:15), Emily Musolino (3:00), Petrov (3:45)
In Partnership with the NC State GLBT Center

Kings: noon – 5 p.m.
AdHoc Presents: “Free for All”- Official Hopscotch Day Party
Indigo De Souza (12:00), Yowler (12:50), Mega Bog (1:40), Truth Club (2:30), Grace Ives (3:20), Faye Webster (4:20)

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Festival Coverage

WKNC Hopscotch Day Party Artist Feature: Black Bouquet

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With Hopscotch right around the corner, and WKNC’s Day Party at Legends following closely in its wake– how better to promote both events than by give y’all a lil’ insight into our Day Party Line-up!

WKNC’s Day Party description is as follows.

This year has been full of milestones, and WKNC aims to celebrate them all. 2019 held Raleigh’s first ever Pride Festival, was the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and marks ten years of Hopscotch. With this in mind, WKNC’s Hopscotch Day Party aims to promote and celebrate LGBTQ+ affiliated artists from across the state to keep the Pride Party going all year long! Featuring Petrov, Emily Musolino, Juxton Roy, Through the Tallwoods, Black Bouquet, and To Julian, the party will be hosted on Saturday, September 7th at Legends Club. This event is all-ages and supported by the NC State GLBT Center.

First and foremost, though not the opener, is Black Bouquet (and that’s simply because they answered the fastest– we love that).

This will be a series up until the Day Party, so the questions will be the same, but we can guarantee that every artist will add their own personal flare to each answer.

See Black Bouquet’s answers below!

  1. Give us a lil rundown of how your band got formed! When/where/how/why!  Ian and Jake (me) met in high school chorus class, Tristan and Hunter met through a flyer Tristan put up for an Americana band at Wake tech. We all came together through craigslist.
  2. What can an audience member expect from one of your shows? Audience members can expect dramatic flailing, needlesharp guitar work, modulated bass, and dynamic drums. Also probably some flowers and Halloween decorations for flair.
  3. Do you see performance as a task or an endeavor? In that vein, what part about performing is most challenging or liberating? Performances are what we thrive and depend on as a band to know how well we are functioning as a music making unit. All of the work between shows (writing, recording, practicing) is done to make sure the next show will have something new to stand out from the last. It’s also the best opportunity to communicate to an audience where we’re all at artistically, in real time.
  4. What does Pride mean to you? How do you embody those meanings in your music? In your everyday life? Pride to me is about being unapologetically yourself, even when other people or your own brain want to discourage it. We make a point to be unabashed with our music, stage presence, art, and how we dress and present ourselves to the world using the band as a vehicle to do so. I personally just try to carry that same energy the band gives me everywhere I go.
  5. What are you most excited about during Hopscotch?  I’m excited for the streets of Raleigh to be flooded with people who have love and appreciation for art and music! Even if it makes getting to work a pain for a couple days.
  6. For the tenth anniversary of Hopscotch, what would you ten years ago think about you now?  Me 10 years ago would probably look at me now and say “huh. nice hair.”
  7. Please list some fun facts about your band! 
    #1. Some of the employees at the Taco Bell by Ian’s house know us each by name
    #2. I’ve been drawing Petunia (our cat logo) since I came up with it doodling in an Art History lecture in 2015
    #3. Listen to Birdland by Patti Smith
    #4. The first one on one response to our first show ever at Schoolkids Records was “You got bullied a lot in high school, right?”

You can learn more about Black Bouquet by visiting their Facebook page, Bandcamp, or Instagram (@blackbouquetband) and, of course, by attending WKNC’s Hopscotch Day Party. It will be held at Legends Club on Saturday, September 7th and begins at noon! 

Oh…. and it’s free 😉

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Festival Coverage

Hopscotch Venue Spotlight: Lincoln Theatre

Lincoln Theatre is an old movie theater converted into a music venue. It is located at 126 E Cabarrus Street which is only one block away from Fayetteville Street, making it a prime venue for Hopscotch! With a capacity of 1,225, it’s the perfect place to take your friends and go dance; it can be cozy at times but usually, there is enough space to move around. On Thursday night of Hopscotch, you can expect the music to be centered around hip hop and rap with artists such as Ric Wilson, Injury Reserve, Joey Purp, and Earth Gang. Friday night will be very indie-rock heavy with artists such as Black Surfer, Truth Club, Yowler, Caroline Rose, and Deerhunter. Saturday night will be centered around folk and Americana with Blue Cactus, Kelsey Walden, Mike and The Moon Pies, and Sarah Shook and The Disarmers. No matter what kind of music you’re into, Lincoln Theater has got your back at Hopscotch.

The venue is all general admission with standing in the room closest to the stage, a seated area with barstool towards the back, and a balcony overlooking the stage. Lincoln Theatre has always been one of my favorite venues for this reason. You can dance in the standing room then take a seat when you get tired, and then eventually make your way up to the balcony to watch everyone else dance. Since the venue was once a movie theater, the bar is located in the lobby. Overall, the staff is super friendly and helpful. Every time I have been to Lincoln Theatre I’ve had a positive experience and I can always count on them to have a good time.

-DJ Short Strides

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Festival Coverage

Dreamville, More Than Just Music

Dreamville, More Than Just Music

J.Cole’s Dreamville festival will happen this Saturday, April 6th in Raleigh’s own Dorathea Dix Park & although the line-up features some of hip-hop & RnB’s top artists, Cole has done an exceptional job planning to make Dreamville more than just your average music showcase. Dreamville will include a putt putt golf course, beer garden, local merchants in a bazaar of vendors, & the “Dreamville Festival Art Wall.” Furthermore, there will be an exclusive lounge space set aside for members of the Divine Nine (black Greek letter organizations/BLGOs).

However, the most unique part of Dreamville– in my opinion– is the “For the Students” session put on by Dreamville in coalition with William Peace University. As a student, employee of the music industry, & attendee of Dreamville hearing the announcement of a “For the Students” greatly excited me. The full title of the off-location event is “For the Students: A Conversation with Ibrahim Hamad & Sacha Stone-Guttenfreund.” This assembly will be held, as previously mentioned, at William Peace University & is open to the public at 6:30 PM. The specific address is 15 E. Peace St, Raleigh, NC 27604. I have copied below the overview of the event provided to WKNC by Dreamville. 

“OFFICIAL OVERVIEW: An in-depth conversation featuring Ibrahim Hamad and Sascha Stone Guttfreund. This conversation will focus on how the relationship between ScoreMore Shows and Dreamville developed, as well as how each "mogul” got to where they are. The event will offer students perspectives & insights on the industry directly from two of the most intelligent behind-the-scenes figures in the game today.“

I took it upon myself, after reading the overview & having my interest piqued, to research both featured speakers. First, Ibrahim Hamad. Hamad is a self-labelled "International Dreamvillain” but is also a close friend to J.Cole as well as his personal manager & the president of Dreamville. Hamad has been working with Cole since before the release of 4 Your Eyez Only, & believes– as stated in an interview done with Billboard– “grinding at a slow pace leads to success well worth the wait.” Aside from working with J.Cole, appearing in the Eyez documentary, & building Dreamville Records, Hamad also helped to set-up the Dreamville Foundation. Clearly, Hamad is a worldly man of many talents & experiences, & has a fountain of wisdom to share at William Peace. For more information on Hamad & his work with Dreamville, I have posted the link to the 3rd installment of Dreamville’s “Born Sinner” series, which features Ibrahim Hamad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxss0ybWS8M&feature=youtu.be

Next, Sascha Stone Guttfreund, is another key player in the music industry. His work with J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, & Tory Lanez has been noted through his promoting company, ScoreMore– which describes itself as “your favorite rappers’ favorite promoters.” The company, which Stone-Guttfreund started in college, is now a massive promotion business, which makes Stone-Guttfreund a massive music industry mogul– & he isn’t even 30 years old yet. Stone-Guttfreund went at the game with a very DIY approach. Billboard reported on Stone-Guttfreund in an interview in which he described the development of ScoreMore. He attributes his experience in door-to-door sales, development of a street team, & word of mouth to the initial growth of his business. The man that was once promoting concerts with less than 100 audience members, years later & out of college, is now helping to coordinate Dreamville, which is sure to garner thousands of attendees. 

While there is no Born Sinner video on Stone-Guttfreund, you can find out more about him at the “For the Students” session this upcoming Thursday. Audience members must RSVP at forthestudents.co AND at hiphopedwpu.com. Although this event is open to the public, non-WPU students are required to pay a nominal fee & must fill out a separate registration form.

J.Cole & his team at Dreamville are attempting to literally put the tools to success in the hands of his fans. Don’t miss out on this incredible event, for the students.

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Festival Coverage

A Local’s Guide to Dreamville Fest

Parking

  • Park at NC State’s Wolf Ridge apartments’ parking lot!!! NC State is charging $20 for event parking at the coliseum deck and other parking lots, but NC State resident spots are free and open to the public on the weekends. You could realistically park anywhere on NC State’s campus that is a resident’s spot, but the Wolf Ridge apartments are the closest to Dorthea Dix. As pictured below, the red circle is the parking lot and the yellow line is the path you will walk to the festival grounds. The path is 0.4 miles which is a 9 minute walk. Even though you will have to cross the Centennial Parkway, there is a light and crosswalk where you have to cross.
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What to Bring

  • Portable charger
  • Empty water bottle
    • The festival will have multiple water stations but if you really want to stay hydrated and save the environment bring a small empty water bottle
      • Note: this must be empty when going through security
  • Some kind of light and portable jacket
    • Bonus if its a rain jacket
    • Raleigh’s weather is weird and even though it says 75 and cloudy the weather could change in an instance
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What NOT to Bring 

  • Non-clear Backpacks
    • I was really surprised by this! You are not allowed to bring backpacks into the festival grounds unless they are clear and only have one pocket. You are allowed to bring a fanny pack so pull up in style and rock that fanny pack instead.

Helpful Tips

  • Get there earlier than expected
    • This is the first Dreamville festival ever!! Security may take a little longer than expected simply because they want this festival to run as smooth as possible. Instead of missing an artist you really care about, get to the festival grounds a little earlier than intended so that you can ensure you see all your favorite artists.

Annelise Thorn, Assistant Promotions Director, WKNC 88.1

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Festival Coverage

4 Reasons WKNC Is Excited About Dreamville Fest

The time has finally come – after an unfortunate postponement due to Hurricane Florence, Dreamville 2019 is less than a week away. J. Cole’s Dreamville Fest will take place right here in Raleigh on Saturday, April 6th at Doretha Dix Park. The WKNC staff and I are very excited for the jam-packed day of music and here is why

1. First and foremost, I’m looking forward to potentially getting the chance to hear the music Dreamville has been working on for their new collaborative LP, Revenge of the Dreamers III. Sources indicate that some of the innovative producers in hip-hop, such as Mike WiLL Made-It, Kenny Beats, !lmind, and ChaseTheMoney were invited to the album’s recording sessions. In addition to Dreamville emcees (J. Cole, EarthGang, JID, Bas, Cozz, etc.), some of my favorite artists like Ski Mask The Slump God, Raleigh-based Mez, Smino, Saba were rumored to have attended the recording sessions as well. Some have been previewing some of these tracks during their live shows, and I have loved what I’ve heard so far. Considering many of the artists involved in the recording process will all be in the same place on Saturday, it’s safe to say those attending Dreamville Fest will get a chance to hear some of these new songs.

2. Second, It’ll be interesting to see Dorthea Dix Park be put to good use and transform into lively festival grounds. Raleigh has put forth a master plan to expand and transform Dix park, and Dreamville Fest is the first major event to be held on the land. I’m hoping the the festival can be used as an example of using the park in creative and interesting ways.

3. Next, If you know anything about WKNC you know we love us some North Carolina music. We cannot wait to see the talented Raleigh artists billed on the lineup play for large crowds in a local space. NC artists featured on the Dreamville Fest Lineup include: J. Cole, Rapsody, King Mez, and Loot. It’ll be cool to witness Raleigh hip-hop fans show these talented artists love for keeping the NC music scene alive and well.

4. Last and most obviously, we are excited for Dreamville Festival because the line-up is stacked with great artists. Whether it’s 21 Savage’s I Am > I Was, JID’s DiCaprio 2, J. Cole’s KOD, or Saba’s Care For Me, most of the lineup contributed to some of the strongest hip-hop releases in 2018. JID, EarthGang, J. Cole, and Saba have all proved themselves to be incredible performers when I’ve seen their shows in the past, and I believe the rest of the lineup will do the same this weekend.

Looking to explore some of the artists on the lineup? Check out our Spotify Playlist: WKNC’s Guide to Dreamville 2019

Jack Greene,  Program Director at WKNC 88.1

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Festival Coverage

Off the Record: Boulevards 

DJ Beowvlf interviews Boulevards live from Hopscotch Music Festival!

Listen Here

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Concert Review Festival Coverage

Double Duchess’ Day 1 Hopscotch Recap

Day One is DONE. The WKNC team had you covered djing live downtown, capturing photos and videos, and I’m continuing the coverage for you here. To recap the night, H.C. McEntire and Real Estate kicked off the night prior to the crazy show that The Flaming Lips put on for us with tons, I mean TONS of confetti in City Plaza. I’m talking I was pulling confetti out of my being until I got home and showered. This morning I still woke up with confetti in my apartment; I think it’s going to follow me for a while.

The fans went wild last night; someone tried to steal my shoe (off of my foot) since it had gotten attached to a prop that had been thrown into the crowd, I had gotten a piece of my ear plug lodged so deeply into my ear canal authorities couldn’t assist me, and someone outside of King’s was trying to show me some “VERY legal marijuana” of which I politely declined. What a crowd! 

After TFL I hopped over to King’s and caught Erica Eso from Brooklyn, made my way to The Basement to chill in the nice air conditioned space and snap a few shots of Skeletonwitch before catching some of Sleep. After that I trekked back to King’s/Neptunes and caught Kilbourne’s set and a smidge of HOLYCHILD before crawling back to my apartment for some good Zzz’s.

Real Estate

The Flaming Lips

Skeleton Witch

Sleep