Bands would stop by Raleigh on occasion to play at a venue—perhaps the Lincoln Theater or the Raleigh Amphitheater—but as a music destination, Raleigh was no Woodstock. And then came Hopscotch.
This three-day event featuring more than 135 bands is returning to Raleigh for its second year.
But coordinating and bringing together all this entertainment takes a full time job. Greg Lowenhagen came to Raleigh two years ago dreaming of such an event—and then he teamed up with Grayson Currin from the Independent Weekly execute the plan.
According to Lowenhagen , the festival is only expected to climb higher in ranks as a must-see music event of the year, after a successful first year.
The festival got its start when Lowenhagen returned to the Triangle area to work for the Independent Weekly, a tabloid distributed throughout the Triangle. Lowenhagen said he embraced the music and downtown scene and noticed the great talent and heritage of Raleigh.
“[I] put this music festival together mostly for selfish reasons so I could have something really cool to look forward to,” Lowenhagen said.
With a colorful combination of every genre the music scene has to offer, there really is something for everyone to enjoy, according to Lowenhagen . The list includes folk, indie, rock, pop, hip-hop, classical, alt-country and other obscure genres.
According to Lowenhagen , Hopscotch will feature 40 percent local talent to highlight and work alongside the 60 percent national and international musicians.
Hosting the wide variety of bands are 13 venues.
Considering how many performances there are, it would be impossible to see them all. A few of Lowenhagen’s personal highlights include a mix of bands that each have their own sound.
One show he said he recommends to see is the band Cold Cave from New York, NY.
Currin , also music editor of the Independent Weekly, described their sound as “brilliant dance music, resplendent pop.” Cold Cave will have a late performance at the Pour House Friday Sept. 9 at 12:30 a.m .
Another of Lowenhagen’s highlights is the trio from Sydney, Australia called The Necks. Regarding its style, Currin described this experimental jazz trio’s live as “two of the best hours of music I have ever heard.”
This newest addition to the Hopscotch venue list will play at Fletcher Opera Hall Sept. 8 at 11 p.m .
Lowenhagen’s third pick is a lineup including shows by the Dreamers of the Ghetto, Superchunk and the Flaming Lips, playing at the Raleigh City Plaza Sept. 10 at 5:45 p.m .
These bands will perform on the biggest stage behind the biggest sound system on the final day of Hopscotch 2011.
