If you’ve been to Hopscotch before, you know that sometimes the best shows are the ones you weren’t planning to go to. The bands whose names your eyes skipped over when perusing the schedule, simply due to unfamiliarity.
Washington DC’s Priests probably don’t care if you have no idea who they are. In the 80’s, DC gave rise to a legendary punk scene – but that doesn’t matter because Priests’ members (vocalist Katie Alice Greer and hip-name band mates Daniele Daniele and G. L. Jaguar) weren’t born yet.
Priests are a relatively new band, with only a few releases since 2012, most notably a full length release this summer, ominously titled Bodies and Control and Money and Power. While punk bands are a dime a dozen these days, and at times the genre can seem played out, Priests have gained some well-deserved attention for their energetic live shows and their politically charged lyrics.
Bodies clocks in at less than 20 minutes but it doesn’t let up once. That’s the same kind of overt energy and in-your-face attitude that you can expect from a Priests live show. Greer takes the stage like a woman possessed (is there an exorcism joke in here somewhere?) while her band mates contort and exhort their respective instruments with an eerily focused intensity. Punk done well is a visceral, raw, crazy experience, and Priests will surely deliver when they play at Deep South on Friday.
Coytah, Eric and Erica, and Star Studies at Local Band Local Beer at Tir Na Nog. Come hang out this Thursday for Octopus Jones, North Elementary, and Deep Ecology. It’s a FREE show, and an opportunity to hear what North Carolina sounds like.
Concert On the Lawn was a hit! It was definitely the best part of Wolfpack Welcome Week, and an awesome start to this year’s upcoming Fridays On the Lawn series. Due to weather concerns, it was held in Tally Student Union, but everyone still came out and had a good time. Beauty World opened, followed by Hammer No More the Fingers, with Duncan Webster performing with both groups. Fridays On The Lawn are gonna be super rad this year, and be sure to check out the next one on September 19!
Skylar Gudasz is arguably one of the Triangle’s most overlooked songwriters. Whether she’s churning out haunting folk rock with Spooky Woods, catchy hooks with Skylar Gudasz & The Ugly Girls, or most recently crooning somber songs of love with her solo project, you’ll always find yourself fixated on Gudasz’ enchanting voice. But one of the reasons she’s so overlooked may be due to the fact that she’s just so damn busy that it’s hard to focus on any single project.
Lately Gudasz has been touring along with a wide array of musicians in support of Big Star tribute shows, where she performs some of the iconic act’s most influential tracks with some of the band’s original members. A few weeks ago Gudasz joined Grant Golden in the studio for Carolina Grown in advance of the Big Star tribute that took place at Cat’s Cradle. Speaking of how she came to love the legendary indie act, what brought her into this group of highly esteemed musicians, and what we can expect from her solo endeavors, Skylar filled the hour with engaging conversation and a breathtaking performance of Neil Young’s “Needle and the Damage Done.” Listen to her full conversation and in-studio performance.
Will you be in western NC this weekend? WKNC’s got four Saturday day-passes to Harvest Record’s Transfigurations II Fest this Saturday, August 30th in Marshall, NC!!
Bands on the bill for Saturday include The Clean, Hiss Golden Messenger, Angel Olsen, Mount Eerie, Lee Fields & the Expressions, Reigning Sound, and many many more.
To win, all you have to do is tweet at us @wknc881 and tell us which artist you would be most stoked to see! One entry per person, please. Winners will be chosen at random at 7pm tonight! We’ll contact you via direct message.
This contest is run through WKNC 88.1 FM and is not associated with Tumblr.
Hopscotch Music Festival happening next week (Sept. 4th-6th) is about bringing you music that’s good and not mainstream. So yes, there’s a Subway next to King’s Barcade and a McDonalds between Lincoln and Kennedy Theaters, but why settle for mainstream chains when you can find great food locally?
Running around to catch all of your favorite bands around Raleigh is sure to leave us all hungry. So we’ve put together a list of a few local favorites that are on the way to the venues of Hopscotch. Late-night eats (open later than midnight) are marked with two asterisks (**)!
Calavela** – An empanada and tequila bar that’s quick and delicious. Tasty $3 empanadas all night long. Close to: Lincoln Theater, City Plaza, Pour House, Tir Na Nog. (Open until 2am every night)
Berkeley Cafe** – Burger joint and bar on the edge of Nash Square. Its chill atmosphere is a great place for a quick bite to eat. Close to: King’s Barcade, CAM Raleigh. (Open until 2am, Fri/Sat!)
Bida Manda – Sandwiched right between Pour House and Tir na nOg, this Loatian restaurant is a little more pricey than the rest, but it’s well worth it. It’s a place of incredible authentic food, genuinely kind service, and a great story. Close to: Tir na nOg, Pour House, Vintage 21. (Open until midnight, Fri/Sat)
buku – Looking for something a bit less American? This worldly restaurant serves street food from all over the globe. Close to: City Plaza, Lincoln Theater. (Open until midnight, Fri/Sat)
Mecca** – While this place is often mistaken for a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern place, they’ve got great food from all over. Close to: King’s Barcade, Slim’s, The Hive. (Open until 1:00 am Th-Sat!)
Raleigh Times** – Local hotspot bar, central to Downtown Raleigh. Besides drinks, you can grab sandwiches, tacos, and more as well as your typical “bar food." Close to: Slim’s, The Hive, King’s Barcade. (Open until 2:00 am!)
Remedy Diner – Looking for veggie options? This is a go-to spot for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Remedy has incredible dishes for all kinds dietary lifestyles, including their "Tempeh Tantrum” that won PETA’s Top 5 Vegan Sandwiches in the USA. Close to: Pour House, Tir na nOg, Vintage 21, The Hive, Slim’s. (Open until midnight, Fri/Sat)
While we could never create a fully comprehensive list (because there are just so many incredible restaurants downtown), we wanted to get you guys started so you don’t get caught at McDonalds. But just because something isn’t listed here, doesn’t mean it’s not good. Don’t be afraid to just walk in to a hole-in-the-wall joint, or anything that looks good! You might just find your new favorite restaurant.
Hopscotch Music Festival is by far my favorite weekend in Raleigh. There are countless shows by incredible international, national, and local acts every night. There is so much going on at any given point that it is impossible to be bored. The down-side of this though is sometimes there is too much going on at once and you have to miss one of your must see acts. But have no fear, day parties are here to save the day. Day parties give artists a chance to play different sets in different venues to some people who might have missed their late night sets. It’s also a place for some bands who aren’t a part of the festival (Spider Bags and Ex Hex) or a chance to see some truly incredible and rare collaborations (Mary Lattimore / Thurston Moore and Daniel Bachman / Nathan Bowles). The best part about these day parties is that they are free and some even provide free pizza!
Hopscotch just recently posted a comprehensive list of all of the incredible day parties taking place. I am going to highlight some of the ones that I am most excited about below, but definitely be sure to check out the full list as there are way too many heavy-hitters this year to include in this post.
Thursday, September 4th Slim’s: noon – 5:00 p.m. PotLuck presents The 2nd Annual Hopscotch Rock n’ Roll Pizza Party
Outside stage: Schooner (4:30), See Gulls (3:30), Lakes & Woods (2:30), North Elementary (1:30), Horizontal Hold (12:30)
Inside stage: Le Weekend (4:00), The Good Graces (3:00), Curtains (2:00), Beauty World (1:00) Rogue Band of Youth (12:00), Wichita Falls (11:30)
Sponsored by Lilly’s Pizza, Big Boss Brewing
On Thursday, we see the return of the 2nd Annual Hopscotch Rock n’ Roll Pizza Party at Slim’s. This party features free pizza provided by Lilly’s Pizza and is presented by Potluck featuring the best of the Potluck family and friends.
Friday, September 5th Kings Barcade: noon – 5 p.m. Three-Lobed Recordings/WXDU Day Show:
Mary Lattimore and Thurston Moore (4:20-5:00), MV&EE (3:30-4:00), Sunburned Hand of the Man (2:45-3:15), Little Black Egg Big Band (1:20-2:20), Jenks Miller and Rose Cross NC (12:30-1:00), Bachman-Bowles Duo (11:45-12:15), with between set improv work from Nathan Bowles and Mike Gangloff
On Friday, Three-Lobed Recordings and WXDU again bring some huge names to their day party at Kings. This showcase again features some spectacular collaborations and boasts the only performance of a lot of these people at the festival this year. Kicking off the day is DBB alum Daniel Bachman along with Daniel Bowles in their debut collaboration effort followed by special sets by Jenks Miller & Rose Cross NC, the debut of the Little Black Egg Big Band, and Sunburned Hand of the Man. The only repeat offenders of this festival will be MV&EE who promise a special set unique from their Thursday night performance. Once again, Thurston Moore closes out the party with another first-time collaboration effort with harpist Mary Lattimore. This party is once again destined to push Kings to capacity so get there early and why wouldn’t you?
Friday, September 5th Nice Price Books: 1:30 – 5 p.m. 88.1 WKNC + 103.1 WUAG Present:
Matt Kivel, Krill, Palehound, Black Santa, Y’all, The Dinwiddies
Sponsored by Lilly’s Pizza
And of course, don’t forget WKNC and WUAG’s inaugural, collaborative day party taking place at Nice Price Books. Not to toot our own horn, but this show features 3 national acts that I am the most excited to see at this festival (Krill, Palehound, Matt Kivel). The show also features Greensboro greats Black Santa, ex-Invisible Hand rockers Y’ALL, and lo-fi swooners The Dinwiddies. Oh, and also free pizza by Lilly’s Pizza.
Friday, September 5th Slim’s: noon – 5:30 p.m. Churchkey Records, The Layabout, and Bull City Burger & Brewery Present: ¡Que Viva! 2014
Inside stage: Spider Bags (4:45), Gross Ghost (3:15), Scully (1:45), Silent Lunch (12:15)
Ouside Stage: Pipe (4:00), Las Rosas (2:30), The Everymen (1:00)
The line-up speaks for itself. Learn how to be in 3 places at once.
Saturday, September 6th Warehouse District: noon – 5 p.m.
‘Babes in Boyland’ a Day Party in support of Girls Rock NC:
EX HEX, Caitlin Rose, Loamlands, The Tender Fruit
Partners: Videri Chocolate Factory, Baldwin, Slingshot Coffee, Pie Pushers, Chirba Chirba, Parlour Ice Cream, Planned Parenthood of NC, Humdinger Juice, TOPO Distillery
Boyland is the place to be on Saturday. Durham’s The Tender Fruit kick things off followed by Loamlands’ catchy, twangy Southern rock and Nashville’s sweetheart Caitlin Rose. Mary Timony’s power-trio, Ex Hex, closes out the party with their infectious display of showmanship and musicianship. The show not only features incredible music, but also features a Bloody Mary bar by Ashley Christensen, Glowmosas by Humdinger Juice, Cold Press Coffee by Slingshot Coffee Company, Pie Pushers, Chirba Chirba Dumplings, and The Parlour. Not only does the line-up stand out in the list of day parties, but on a weekend filled by big names, things like food and alcohol definitely seem to tip the scale. Oh yeah, it also supports a great cause.
