Hopscotch, The Ultimate Festival for Music Discovery

Festivals seem to be everywhere these days, but few hold a candle to what Hopscotch Music Festival is doing in Raleigh, NC. Now in its fourth year, Hopscotch is spread over 3 days, taking over 15 venues in downtown Raleigh. On Friday and Saturday night the concert moves outdoors, with headlining bands performing in the City Plaza.

In total 175 bands will officially play Hopscotch with a variety of genres represented – from hip-hop to indie, electronic music to heavy metal, including just about everything in-between. Now more than ever, Hopscotch has reached another level, attracting visitors from all over to bask in the fruits of the triangle music scene, placed on the map by so many bands over the years. Of the 175 bands performing over the three nights, about 35% of the bands are local to that area, and others include many mid level artists from all around the world that don’t always get the exposure they should. Hopscotch is a festival hand crafted by taste-makers, taking attendees on a three day journey in music discovery.

The shows at night are the focus of the festival, but the day parties are where some of the best moments happen. Both official and unofficial parties take over downtown with BBQ’s, sponsored events, with most parties featuring the bands playing at night. If you do your research you’ll quickly conclude that you won’t be able to see every band you’d like. Although Raleigh is a great town to bounce from venue to venue quickly, there is still just an overwhelming amount of music going on at each time slot. Day shows give you the chance to see a band you want to see, and free up that night-time slot.

In addition to the music, Hopscotch branches out into a couple of other areas including HOOPscotch, a charity basketball game, SHOPscotch, an artisan market, and a POSTERscotch exhibition.

Just like SXSW takes over the streets of Austin, TX every March, Hopscotch has grown in only 4 years to take over the Capital city for three days every September. And where SXSW is bloated, unmanageable, and corporately out of control, Hopscotch keeps its finger on the pulse of the town, keeping it local, and showcasing what the Tar Heel state has to offer to a grander cultural scene.

Attending Hopscotch in years past is up there with some of my most fulfilling music related memories. Becoming familiar with quality new bands through a live setting, being surrounded by thousands of like-minded music enthusiasts, and the overall positive atmosphere of this festival specifically trumps what other fests strive for.

Keep checking in with SceneSC for more Hopscotch coverage including band interviews, Top 10 Must See NC Bands, and more feature artist previews.

This Years Lineup