Hopscotch 2011 Recommendations by New Raleigh and Friends

September, 06, 2011 , by Jedidiah

Each year, New Raleigh decides to publish a handful of April Fools' Day articles. We rarely think they will amount to anything and are either us dreaming big for our city or calling attention to an issue that has be present at the surface level in our city for the past year. This year, somehow, we were able to plot the landing of Wayne Coyne's (The Flaming Lips) space bubble into Downtown Raleigh. It was that day, that we learned, after posting the article, that indeed, The Flaming Lips would be one of the headliners for the 2011 Hopscotch Music Festival. From that day forward, our excitement has continued to build for this week's festivities.

Greg Lowenhagen, Grayson Currin and the rest of their Hopscotch crew have continued to amass events, sponsors, bands and other layers to a, now annual, festival that will take over downtown from Thursday, September 8th until Saturday, September 10th. Thousands of music fans will come from out of town to Raleigh, NC this weekend and make it the independent music capital of the Southeast (America?) for three FULL days. There are more venues, more bands, more day parties and more more more Hopscotch.

We've asked a handful of musicians, artists, business owners, organizers and other friends what they are looking forward to at the festivities this coming weekend. Here are their fabulous answers. If you already have a plan, think again.

Caltrop - photo by David Winton

Khaner Walker - writer, NewRaleigh.com

Call it old fashioned NCSU prejudice, or just not going to Cat’s Cradle in a year or two, but I’m looking forward to catching several Chapel Hill bands this Hopscotch. I know Hopscotch is a unique chance to experience bands from across the nation – however some of the bands I’m most eagerly awaiting are from Orange Co.

At the top on that list is Caltrop. Heavy, steady metal coupled with a steady building rhythm I think of as “greasy-fast speed” is something I thoroughly approve of and cannot get enough of.

As a huge fan of the Avett’s style, Filthybird intrigues me with their slow rock, coupled with folk mixed with the occasional piano note. Also looking forward to Embarrassing Fruits – hoping their show is an amped up version of everything I’ve heard online so far.

Last year’s War on Drugs and Fucked Up changed my musical life, and am pretty sure the just announced Wild Flag Listening Party is going to do the same.

Hopscotch forever plz.

J. Mascis - photo from Sub Pop

Isaac Weeks - writer, NewRaleigh.com

The thing I am most excited about this year regarding Hopscotch is the leap in quality it has made in regards to the talent being booked. Sure, there doesn’t seem to be a Thursday night band leaping off the schedule guaranteed to have folks lined up around the block like Best Coast last year, but the headliners playing City Plaza this time around more than make up for that. So who I am most excited to catch this year?

As I said, the City Plaza concerts are really bringing it this year. Drive-By Truckers opening for Guided By Voices on Friday night should be a killer show, with the added emotion of GBV already having announced this is their final performance. Saturday night brings Superchunk and The Flaming Lips at City Plaza as well. I am really looking forward to this one. Superchunk is one of our few homegrown talents that seem to understand that you don’t have to play the area five times in a calendar year for us to remember you (coughConnellscough), and the Lips are always guaranteed to put on a killer live show.

The concert that I am most excited for, however, is J Mascis performing Thursday night at Fletcher Opera Hall at 12:30. Growing up in the boonies, unless K-Mart or Rose’s stocked your CD, I didn’t get a chance to listen, so I didn’t catch up on Dinosaur Jr. until it was common knowledge how great they were. This year Mascis released his first all-original solo LP, titled Several Shades of Why. For my money it is the album of the year. When the venue for his concert was changed to Fletcher, I was extremely happy. While I have no idea what his setlist will look like, if it contains the ten acoustic tracks on this album mixed with the hard rock of vintage Dinosaur Jr., it was crying out for a larger setting than a random downtown club.

Beach Fossils - Photo Reference

Stacey Weger - Arts Editor, NewRaleigh.com

If I learned anything at last year's Hopscotch, it was: wear comfortable shoes (go-go boots do not fall into this category). Also, I realized that you are not going to be able to see every single band you would like to see. My mistake last year was that I practically killed myself running from show to show to show, attempting to catch as many highlights as possible to share with our New Raleigh readers. It was totally worth it in the end, and I only missed one band that I really tried to see (Javelin, whom I caught a few months later at Kings). But, in an attempt to get the total festival experience, I know I missed out on a few things. I was too exhausted to drag myself to any of the after parties. I darted from venue to venue with barely any time to eat, and sustained my energy with a dangerous amount of caffeine. I never had time to mingle, and I honestly didn't have a drink all weekend. But even though I saw upwards of 30 bands there was no way it was humanly possible for me to see every single band I was interested in...there were just too many. Regardless how comfortable your shoes are, it's going to take you some time to walk from Slim's to the Lincoln Theater. And with every step you take down the sidewalk outside of a venue, you are missing awesome music all over the place.

So this year I am taking a practical approach: picking just a handful of not-to-be-missed performances and then working around that with no set schedule or band list. I am staying in the same venue for two consecutive shows on a couple nights as well. Because if there's a club band that you really want to see, it's good to get there early and stake out a spot. For me, the must-see club shows are Cold Cave on Thursday and Beach Fossils on Saturday; and I'm really looking forward to checking out their opening bands Weekend and Man/Miracle as well. I know I'm going to get crap about this, but I am way more excited about seeing The Dodos play on Friday than I am GBV. I just can't help that No Color is one of my favorite albums this year. It makes me happy. I'm also really stoked for the Ed McKay Artist and Author Series. Sitting on the front row of the hip-hop panel featuring Chuck D was a total high point for me last year. And, I'm holding out for a few surprises at the 2011 festival, hoping they'll be as much fun as the unexpected performance by the Helping Hand Mission Marching Band last year. More than anything, I'm excited to stumble across a few great bands I've never heard before, buy their music, and listen to it for the next year. I know the festival definitely won't fail me there. Welcome back, Hopscotch!

Yelawolf - photo from Yelawolf.com

David Millsaps - Publisher of NewRaleigh.com

There are a ton of non hip hop shows I can’t wait to see at the festival- but the hip hop shows are all notable, so I thought I would focus my list on the genre and share what Hopscotch has to offer. Several are groups that I haven’t been able to see and the rest I can’t wait to see again. First off: Yelawolf. The biggest hip hop act at Hopscotch this year has to be number one on my agenda. This rising star is part Cherokee and has spent his life living across the South. Those roots come together to weave stories of rural drug culture, agriculture and Native American allegory.

King Mez is a particular local favorite that I was glad to see on this year’s lineup. The first thing you will notice is his surprising youth. On tracks Mez sounds like an experienced hip hop veteran with a natural knack for rhythm and complimenting his producer, Commissioner Gordon’s, beats with tight flows and confident swagger.

Of course for local favorites, I am a huge fan of Charlie Smarts. The Kooley High member has been dropping solo mix tapes for years, but has rarely appeared alone. Kooley usually gives each MC a few of their solo tracks during a show, but this is Smarts’s opportunity to show his town his command of the crowd. We know his wordplay is some of the most thoughtful around- wavering between intellectual and humorous- while self-aware and honest.

The Foreign Exchange is another national favorite that comes from the area. The duo, Phonte and Nicolay will be backed by a full band and from other shows we have seen it will be a great jazz infused show. The group brings along some talented backup singers who get some time for their own solos. Even though they are local The Foreign Exchange rarely plays North Carolina so this is a great show to catch during Hopscotch.

White Ring - photo from White Ring

Jedidiah Gant - Downtown Editor for NewRaleigh.com

Compiling this article was all the research I might have needed to get suggestions for which bands to see. So, in addition to this, I have been combing the Hopscotch website, schedule and the internet to find out as much as possible about all of the bands on this year's schedule. A large percentage of the bands that I plan to see either fall into one of two (extreme) categories; electronic or folk, in some form or another.

We are lucky that a handful of musicians that are playing night shows, are also playing day parties, which makes some of the night shows easier. The fact that William Tyler, Wooden Wand and Frank Fairfield are all appearing somewhere in Downtown Raleigh during the day, frees up a few night spots.

For Friday, I'm set on seeing as much of the Steve Gunn, Rhys Chatham and The Necks show as possible. That said, PC Worship at Slim's may be one of the most extreme shows of the weekend and I plan on packing in to see most of this experimental set that is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Cheyenne Marie Maze unfortunatley has tough competition with The Necks and Xiu Xiu, but I'm predicting that she will be talked about for months after Hopscotch. I expect Raleigh to fall in love with her and we'll see her back within the next year (this year's Sharon van Etten). The entire Pour House avant garde electro-noise bill also has my attention but I definiltey plan on getting front and center for the dark electro Cold Cave. I'm not sure if there's any other band on the schedule that could tear me away from this set. This is the closest I will ever get to see a band that embodies the spirit of New Order and Joy Division so richly.

Despite the fact that I have tons of bands circled in red pen on Friday, there are only a few that I currently have in permanent red marker. These include Julianna Barwick at Fletcher, Diamond Rings at Five Star, Twin Shadow at Lincoln (or maybe Swans) and White Ring back at Five Star. I know there are some amazing bands playing that midnight slot on Friday, but White Ring might be the one we are talking about in the morning. Five Star, a place I have never seen a live band, may end up becoming the venue I frequent the most over the weekend. Each night has the restaurant's tiny stage filled with phenomenal talent.

Last year, one of the best shows I saw was All TIny Creatures. They are back and shouldn't be missed. Or, The Tomahawks are one of my favorite recent local bands that are also playing a day party. Go see them at least once over the three days. From there it's the horns of Fight the Big Bull, the Summery pop of Beach Fossils, a toss up between Little Scream and Future Islands, Titus Andronicus and finally another midnight cap at Five Star, Dawn Golden & Rosy Cross. Announced late in the game, Dawn Golden made one of my favorite EPs of the year and their woozy electro pop will be the last tunes I plan to hear on Hopscotch weekend.

I also missed all of the Ed McKay's Authors and Artists Series last year at the Raleigh City Museum and plan on going to as many of those as possible.

One more recommendation is Youth Lagoon (fabulous debut album) at the day party with The Rosebuds on Saturday at Lincoln Theatre and all of the rooftop (!) Diggup Tapes Day Party on Friday at The Hive with Nests, T0W3RS and more.

Also, bring a bike.

The Necks - photo by Holimage

Grayson Currin - Curator, Hopscotch Music Festival

After we announced the schedule for this year's Hopscotch Music Festival, the question I began to get with some regularity was, "Why did you book Barn Owl and SWANS and Earth at the same time, you IDIOT?" The actual answer is a little too long for the purposes of these few paragraphs, but I think, for me, it reveals something fundamentally odd about my role with the festival: If I was an outside looking in on this festival, I would probably glance at the poster or the lineup or website or whatever and say, "How the fuck are Earth, Barn Owl and SWANS all coming to my town on the same weekend, if my town is not Austin or New York or Chicago? What crazy stupid dream world is this, and why are you people lying to me?"

For Greg Lowenhagen and I, a central goal is to sort of create a dreamworld of sound, a real-life manifestation of our big playlists and little brains. That said, I like ALMOST every band playing this year's festival a LOT, but some of them are truly some of my favorite bands in the world. Those include The Necks, Rhys Chatham, SWANS, Earth, Prurient, Frank Fairfield, William Tyler, Superchunk and the various projects of Mick Barr including the VERY MIGHTY KRALLICE. I am also, at this moment, endlessly thrilled by the music of Little Scream, Cold Cave, White Ring, Liturgy, Wooden Wand, Julianna Barwick, Steve Gunn, Apache Dropout and about 80 other bands playing Hopscotch 2011. I am now realizing I am probably the worst person to ever contribute to this column.

That said, one command: Go see The Necks on Thursday, Sept. 8, at Fletcher Hall. They will make you feel.

Fight the Big Bull - photo by Liza Kate

David Menestres - co-owner and baker at Crumb

We're lucky to have a festival in town with such an amazing list of artists, but for me it all comes down to four shows, three of which will be in Fletcher Opera Hall. On Thursday, Rhys Chatham will be leading an all star cast of Guitar Trio, an epic ode to the implications of uber-minimalist noise rock. His new album, Outdoor Spells on Northern Spy, is high on my list of best albums of the year. Maybe next year we can arrange an outdoor performance of his Crimson Grail for four hundred guitars.

Following Rhys at Fletcher is The Necks, the reigning kings of long form improvisation from Australia. I'd use the word "jazz" but then none of you would come. Go to the Free Music Archive to get an idea of the beautiful mind-fuck that's waiting for you.

Friday night it's all about Swans. If you aren't familiar with their almost thirty years of madness, stop reading this article and go watch some of their performances on YouTube. Swans will more than likely be the loudest show ever in the history of Fletch Opera Hall. If you're bringing your mom, she'd love you even more if you provided her with ear plugs. You might want to bring a crash helmet because I'm secretly hoping Swans will break all the light fixtures in Fletcher.

Saturday you need to go see Richmond's Fight the Big Bull at The Pour House. One of the most impressive big bands to come along in years and one of the very few to blaze a modern path into the twenty-first century. Their discography on Portugal's Clean Feed and last year's I Mean to Live Here Still with David Karsten Daniels are all discs that you should not only own but but be listening to on a regular basis. Matthew White, the guitarist and fearless leader of FTBB, is also doing a solo set at the free Hometapes Friend Island Day Party on Saturday at Tir Na Nog. (Full disclosure: Crumb, the company I co-own, is a sponsor of Friend Island).

Earth - photo by Sarah Barrick

James Toth of Wooden Wand - playing Hopscotch Friday night at 10pm at Berkeley Cafe

I turn 33 on the 9th and I really can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than by seeing Guided By Voices (who played one of the best shows I've ever seen at Irving Plaza in NYC back in '96) and Drive-By Truckers (who've consistently played some of the best shows I've ever seen all 18 times I've seen them - this'll be #19). From there, it'll be The Body, Liturgy and Earth for me to end the evening. In between I'll be playing with my own band, Wooden Wand & The Briarwood Virgins, and doing a one-off collaboration with my good friend William Tyler for the Three Lobed showcase. I don't even know what's going on the other two days because my dance card is so awesomely filled on the 9th.

Billy Warden - former music critic at The News & Observer. He and Greg Behr co-founded the Cherry Bounce Festival and GBW Strategies.

Although Hopscotch is only in its second year, I’m struck by its history. When the bands crank up this month, the noise you hear will actually be the collective grunt of generations of rock’n’roll believers who labored to transform Raleigh.

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, downtown -- despite the nearby Brewery and Fallout Shelter -- was a morgue. Now, it’s about to explode with ecstatic fans streaming from one music mecca to another. Hopscotch and other recent Raleigh happenings aren’t just events, they’re a collective dream come true -- which is why I’m most looking forward to the band that’s all about the unlikely and triumphant, The Flaming Lips.

I also love what Hopscotch’s immense musical menu reveals about you and people you think you know. Last year, a supremely straight laced lawyer insisted I check out an act called Wet Mango. When Wet Mango turned out to be a raucously nutty, deliriously dancy DJ, I realized there was more to that lawyer than legalese. That’s rock’n’roll doing one of its most important jobs -- bringing out the real you. This year, the no-holds-barred Black Lips might just inspire your epiphany.

Mike Robinson - bassist for Annuals who play Hopscotch Friday at 10:30pm at Lincoln Theatre - Mike will also be playing with Rhys Chatham at Fletcher on Thursday night at 9:30pm.

Hopscotch is going to be a total entertainment overload for me, and pretty much all the people that I know. Having lived in Raleigh 25 of my 26 years, I can confidently say it's the greatest event that has ever been held in our town.

I'm lucky enough to be included in the Rhys Chatham performance at Fletcher on Thursday night, and I can't wait to be a part of such a stellar group of awesome local musicians in such an amazing venue playing Chatham's trailblazer piece 'Guitar Trio'.

I'm even more excited for my band (Annuals) to get to open for hip hop legends Phonte and the Foreign Exchange, as well as the very-buzzing Twin Shadow on Friday at Lincoln. We always love it anytime we get to be on an eclectic bill because it goes hand in hand with what we're striving for in the context of our band.

Before we play I'm gonna do EVERYTHING I can to try to go catch The Dodos and Drive by Truckers. We played with The Dodos in Chicago when they were "Dodo Bird" several years ago and I've been a huge fan ever since. And I've just recently watched the DBTruckers documentary "The Secret to a Happy Ending" and they're one of my favorite bands. It doesn't seem realistic that I'll catch Guided by Voices but I know they won't disappoint.

I've got day shows like nobody's business on Saturday with Annuals at Slims as well as Brewmasters - again the main stage that evening with Superchunk and The Flaming Lips is probably my biggest to do. I want to see my buddies in Future Islands that night as well but let all be warned - I expect this will be the single most difficult show to attend this year. I'm so proud of those dudes just like everybody else, they are coming into their own niche these days and people everywhere finally recognize how special they are. Lonnie Walker has a show they curated at Kings which I plan to check out as well.. Or I might go catch The Love Language before J Mascis. That one's a toss up! I hope I'll see Brice Bickford, Mount Moriah, Whatever Brains - again.. it's total overload and it's gonna be hard on everybody to see it all.

At some point I'll probably rest my ears and follow my nose to whatever Ashley Christensen is doing.. Can't wait for Hopscotch!

All Tiny Creatures - photo by Chris Rosenau

Tim Lytvinenko - Raleigh Photographer

I'm looking forward to The Rosebuds day party not just for The Rosebuds and Hammer No More the Finger but get there early for Big Picture and some good food from AC (Ashley Christensen) restaurants. It'll be a great way to work that hangover. White Ring at five star, heard this New York duo is insane and not something I'm going to miss. All Tiny Creatures played Kings a few months ago and killed it. They're lighting was awesome cant wait to see them again.

Caitlin Cary - Raleigh musician formerly of Whiskeytown and Tres Chicas, now in The Small Ponds who will be performing a few shows over Hopscotch weekend

We have Posterscotch, which opens Wed. at Amplified Art in City Market and goest throughout the weekend. This represents a number of the area's finest poster artists, including Ron Liberti, Chris Williams, Paul Friedrich, Skillet Gilmore, and several others. The opening will feature Caitlin and Matt of The Small Ponds playing an acoustic duo show from 8-10 PM, and a preview of all the official Hopscotch posters, including the winner of the Posterscotch contest.

Then just down the street, in the former location of Visual Art Exchange on Blake St. in City Market, we'll be holding Shopscotch. It's the Kung Fu pop up store, and also a designers market, featuring hand-crafted goods by some of the Triangle's top designers, including RebusWorks, Zass, Araliegh, PamOr and others. The KungFu shop will offer records and tees from many of the acts featured at Hopscotch, as well as merch from area labels including Merge, YepRoc and others.

Friday from noon to five is the GRAND OPENING of the Fox Liquor Bar, the third in Ashley Christensen's triumverate of new businesses on Wilmington St. This is basement bucolic, alcoholic, gastronomique. Super-swanky liquor drinks to get you primed for all the most current sounding sounds of the weekend. Featuring the music of Roman Candle and The Small Ponds. Plus ambiance.

There's plenty to be excited about this year--this is just my little corner.

Times New Viking - photo source

Nathan Price - Co-founder of Local Music Label DiggUp Tapes

The two things we are most excited about for Hopscotch are the Day Parties and Lonnie Walker’s curated night at Kings. Since we are hosting and booked some of these it gave us the freedom to ask our favorite bands and hopefully see them in ideal settings in front of good crowds. Also, The Flaming Lips are up there for us. After living in Raleigh my whole life it is going to be surreal to see Wayne Coyne crawling over the crowd in a large plastic bubble behind a huge video screen with confetti cannons shooting in the background ALL ON Fayetteville Street.

Must see bands: Andrew Cedermark, Braids, Cassis Orange, Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross, J Mascis, Mount Eerrie, Lower Dens, Invisible Hand, Liturgy, PC Worship, Oulipo, The Men, Future Islands, Titus Andronicus, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Whatever Brains, Yardwork

Best Line Up Thursday: Kings Barcade (Dinosaur Feathers, Lower Dens, Grandchildren, Woodsman, Lonnie Walker)

Best Line Up Friday: Pour House (Soft Company, Braids, Disappears, Japandroids)

Best Line Up Saturday: The Union (Embarrassing Fruits, Gross Ghost, Gauntlet Hair, Times New Viking)

Youth Lagoon

Whitney Ayres Kenerly - Writer, NewRaleigh.com and Formosa Music

Veterans of other big festivals have all advised me, “Don’t try to see too many acts or do too much. Just pick a few things to prioritize and focus on the couple of shows that you really want to see.” It’s probably good advice, and I am definitely not listening to it.

I’ve never wanted to clone myself so badly. Looking at my color-coded schedule of all the bands I want to see, I’ve slated myself to be in the audience of multiple shows at once, and my OCD side is at war with mellow-artist side.

There’s just too much I’m dying to experience. I want to see how Youth Lagoon – a solo project by a young man out of Idaho – manages to translate the cinematic expanse of sound from his EPs into a live performance. The same goes for other solo-drive acts – I want to see if Cold Cave shows any sign of emotional strain in front of the heartbreaking rush of his music, if Diamond Rings is as coy in his infamous Technicolor eye shadow, and if Twin Shadow tries to seduce everyone in the audience.

There are bands that have come to the area on previous tours that I’ve always been bitter about missing. When All Tiny Creatures came this spring, I wanted to kick myself with every rave review I heard about their show. I’m also not missing my second chances to see Times New Viking or Lower Dens. When I first missed seeing Japandroids on their last tour, I was really bummed. But now that I’ve heard rumors that they perform with a giant fan blasting down on the audience I am determined to elbow my way to the front of the crowd to scream and jump around for at least a few songs.

There are many old favorites worth revisiting. Anyone who has not seen Future Islands perform live is missing out on one of the best front men in indie music, Sam Herring, act of the vulnerability of their music with both an overwhelming emotionality and physicality. Heather McEntire is known for her mesmerizing presence as a front woman for Bellafea, and has one of the best albums of the year so far with Mount Moriah. When I saw BRAIDS open for Toro Y Moi in April, I was blown away by the tenderness of vocals in their talented female lead, and how the lyrics fingered their way through a fluttering of synth and loops in a way that made me feel transported. I am also looking forward to seeing Generationals play live, since I missed their set when they came to Local 506 this spring, losing track of time over cocktails at Lantern.

Of course the best part of Hopscotch (aside from planning my outfits for each night) will be discovering new bands. Despite my impossibly strict schedule, I’m hoping to see where the nights lead me and looking forward to the inevitably of stumbling into a show I hadn’t planned on seeing by a band I’m not familiar with, and being dazzled.

Between the impressive headlining sets, plethora of indie buzz bands, and outstanding speakers at the Artists and Authors Series, these three days will be stuffed with entertainment and inspiration.

Liz Maznik - Owner of The Borough, who is a Hopscotch sponsor

The thing I'm looking forward to most during, or from, Hopscotch is meeting the bands. The Borough is offering a food voucher to each band member participating in Hopscotch. We offered one last year as well, and the staff and regular clientele got to meet some amazing artists from all over the place. I consider myself and my bar privileged to be included in Hopscotch. This festival is such a fantastic benefit to downtown Raleigh and I'm proud that it is a homegrown effort.

Mount Moriah - Photo Andrew Synowiez

Adam Kincaid - WKNC DJ, Host of the Local Beat every Friday from 5-8pm

Being involved in our local music scene first and foremost, Hopscotch to me is a way for our region to make a splash in the news and ripple outwards to the far corners of the nation. Without a doubt, the Triangle of North Carolina is the hottest region in the states for a budding music scene and Hopscotch, with its pool of national and international touring acts, can pull in people who might have otherwise not had the opportunity to experience the bands and musicians around here and see them first hand.

With that said, my recommendations are going to be limited to some amazing local acts you don't want to miss.

Popular Durham folk band Bombadil has played less than a handful of shows since Spring 2009 due to health concerns involving member Daniel Michalak. Since then they have spread out to the far corners of the country and their status remained uncertain until the announcement they would be playing Hopscotch. Already an enormous draw among North Carolina acts, and with a nearly completed album in the works, expect this show to be packed out.

Mount Moriah has probably put out the best album from North Carolina since Bombadil's Tarpits & Canyonlands when they released their self titled LP this past spring. Soft driven folk music with powerful lyrics, this record will bring you to your knees begging for more than the eight songs it features. Luckily, their live show is brilliant and delivers the emotional and mesmerizing music that the group is becoming known for. Don't miss this show.

The Body - photo from Hopscotch Music Fest

Tina Haver - Co-organizer of the Hopscotch Hepcat, happening on Saturday, September 10th

As an organizer of the Hopscotch Hepcat - as well as the partner of the incredible Grayson Currin - I’ve been thinking about Hopscotch 2011 for a while. It’s pervasive, really: My home will soon be given up to couch-crashing performers, my pets will all be relocating to friendlier environments that guarantee a walk or two each day, I’ll be taking vacation at work and my dude will be nearly unreachable. So, you can be sure that I’ve put some serious thought into how to most effectively entertain myself given three days of being homeless, petless, jobless and single. These are the ways I will do it.

Tina’s Hopscotch Recommendations: The Body and The Hepcat.

The two dudes from Providence, R.I. who call themselves The Body like sleeping in and hanging out with dogs just like the rest of us. But, unlike the rest of us, they supplement those hobbies with creating some of the loudest, meanest music you might hear at Hopscotch 2011. The Body’s most recent album, 2010’s All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood, is a farrago of harrowing, full-force noise, seraphic gospel and lush soundscapes—think sousaphones, saxophones, guitars, violas and keyboards, in addition to the 13-piece Assembly of Light Choir—that smash the confines of traditional doom metal into jagged pieces.

Watching The Body perform live turns cerebrospinal fluid into thick jelly. The band builds upon a base of slow, heavy, brink-of-chaos control before letting loose a bone-rattling collision of booming drums, punishing cymbals and utterly distorted guitar, creating a sonic wasteland that threatens to swallow everything you love whole. If vocalist Chip King sounds like he’s screeching, it’s out of necessity; The Body is, unquestionably, one of the loudest live bands around, and not to be missed. See them on Friday, September 9th, at 10:30 in King’s Barcade.

On Saturday, September 10, from 1pm to 3pm, the Hepcat Charity Bicycle Race will take place in downtown Raleigh. Inspired by a traditional alley cat ride, Hepcat aims to bring together cycling, music and animal enthusiasts around the Triangle for a fun, casual downtown scavenger hunt. All proceeds will benefit SAFE Haven for Cats, the Triangle’s first no-kill shelter. Hepcat is teaming up with with SAFE Haven to eliminate euthanasia as a means of population control by 2016.

To win the race, cyclists must navigate to nine different downtown locations, all of which focus on Raleigh’s history, art, music and cycling culture. The first place rider will win a new bicycle from Gran Royale Bicycles, an awesome supplier from right here in Raleigh, NC. Other goodies include gift cards, cycling gear, and music from tons of awesome labels.

There’s going to be more free stuff than we know what to do with. You can race in alone or in teams, or just hang around the vendor booths and Hopscotch’s day party with your pals. Check out the website for full details.

The Flaming Lips - photo from Hopscotch Music Fest

Jack The Radio - Each member makes their picks, JTR is playing Hopscotch on Thursday at 9:30pm at The Hive

George Hage (guitars, vox, sketches): I am excited to see the triangle come together from so many different areas with national sponsors and touring acts to do something great in Raleigh. One example is seeing Deja Mi team up with Hopscotch to make a festival app that allows you to create a schedule and see events details with maps directly to your phone. I'm also stoked to play in the 1st Annual Hoopscotch Charity basketball game. And of course free day parties all over town. You can literally just walk and stumble into an amazing day party.

Danny Johnson (lap steel, guitar, vox and genuine jack of all trades): Mount Moriah, Frontier Ruckus and my first time seeing the Flaming Lips. Day parities and food trucks are the icing on the cake.

Brent Francese (drums, just drums): It's embarrassing, but I've sadly never seen any of the bands on the Lips/Superchunk/Dreamers of the Ghetto (a big new favorite) lineup so I'd have to say of all the big shows this weekend, that's the top. But why do Future Islands + Unknown Mortal Orchestra have to play at exactly the same time? Guess that's what you get with an amazing festival like this. So proud of Raleigh.

A.C. Hill (guitars, vox): Saw The Flaming Lips live back in 2004 and i've been hooked since, so really looking forward to that. The day parties should be pretty amazing as well.

Chris Sayles (bass, vox): As if playing hopscotch, a Music festival renown for awesome shows and awesome times, and being on the bill with The Flaming Lips, Guided by Voices, Drive By Truckers and all the other amazing musical acts wasn't enough, I'm looking forward to the peripherals. Seeing what the town does to compliment Hopscotch. What vendors will be out, how the town will be set up. And just having fun at a great party with my boys, Jack The Radio!

Ford & Lopatin - photo from Hopscotch Fest

Tripp Gobble - 1/2 of Local Music Label Denmark Records

Here's a big list of bands to check out at Hopscotch as recommended by 1/2 of Denmark. Pumped!

All the bands playing the "3Ds After Parties" at Moving Island!

Andrew Cedarmark
Braids
Budos Band
Cold Cave
Earth
Ford and Lopatin
Future Islands
Gauntlet Hair
Guided By Voices
Heads on Sticks
J Mascis
Japandroids
John Vanderslice
Julianna Barwick
Mount Eerie
Oulipo
SWANS
The Body
The Dodos
The Flaming Lips
Foreign Exchange
Prayers and Tears (they're back!)
Toro y Moi
Wooden Wand
Woodsman

Matthew Rostetter - Founder of CompostNow

This year, unlike last year, hopscotch festival goers that buy draft beers while attending the city plaza shows will be served their libations in compostable cups made from corn plastic. And, unlike most places where corn cups are used, the trash and recycling receptacles will be joined by compost receptacles to make sure these "organic recyclables" actually make it to a facility that will compost them correctly and safely.

More and more businesses and venues are starting to provide corn plastics as alternative to traditional plastic and styrofoam that just sit in the landfill and don't break down. However, not many know that if that compostable item doesn't make it to a composting facility, it will just sit in the landfill and not break down or decompose, just like the items you were trying to avoid using. While compostables might eventually biodegrade in a landfill, they emit more methane in the meantime. So kudos for Hopscotch for taking the extra steps to ensure that this years Sustainability efforts are a reality and not just a green facade.

Krallice - photo from Hopscotch Fest

Karen Mann - Music Writer and Photographer at Mann's World, Mann is also hosting a Day Party at Dive Bar on Saturday with Lurch, Black Thai and Righteous Fool

Hopscotch made it easy on me this year by putting most of the bands I want to see all at the same venues.

Thursday

The entire Berkeley Cafe lineup
9 p.m. Man Will Destroy Himself
10 p.m. Hog
11 p.m. Mouthus
12 a.m. Oxbow

Just like last year, much of the metal is taking place at the Berkeley. Man Will Destroy Himself and Hog are two of the best and loudest bands in this area -- metal or otherwise. Mouthus is a metallic noise cacaphony, and Oxbow is just pure aggression.

11:30 Filthybird at The Union - Pure, beautiful vocals and uplifting, finely crafted songs. The Union is close to the Berkeley, so Filthybird should be a good, quick aural palatte cleanser before experiencing Oxbo.

Friday
7 p.m. Drive By Truckers on City Plaza

The entire Kings lineup
9:30 p.m. Whatever Brains
10:30 p.m. The Body
11:30 p.m. Liturgy
12:30 a.m. Earth

Another metal/noise night with the misfortune of going up against Swans at Fletcher. Liturgy is progressive black metal noise, and they put on an amazing show at Kings back in November. The Body is doom in the truest sense, because it’s impossible to listen to them without feeling like some horrific event is about to unfold. Earth is shimmering, hypnotic drone that should be played in the aftermath of said horrific event.

12 a.m.: Mount Moriah at Berkeley Cafe
12:30 a.m.: Jennyanykind at Deep South

Celebrating its 20th year, Jennyanykind is one of the original old-time influence local Americana bands. Mount Moriah is one of the newest and, for my money, the best.

Saturday
The entire Berkeley Cafe lineup
9 p.m.: Caltrop
10 p.m.: Horseback
11 p.m.: Duane Pitre Sextet
12 a.m.: Krallice

Saturday’s metal line up at Berkeley is the best show of the entire festival as far as I’m concerned. Caltrop have perfected the Southern blues-metal stomp, and Horseback’s seething drone was mesmerizing at this year’s metal fest at the Casbah. I really don’t know anything about Duane Pitre, but Krallice is one of the best American black metal bands out there right now, with only Agalloch topping them.

9 p.m. Slim’s Shit Horse
10:30 p.m. Bombadil at Fletcher Music Hall
11:30 p.m. Lost in the Trees at Fletcher Music Hall

Shit Horse is weird-ass hippie-funk gospel. Bombadil was sidelined at the height of their popularity due to health issues. Glad to see that they are back. Lost in the Trees is haunting, gothic folk.

Day Parties

Thursday: Hopscotch kickoff at Sadlack’s noon-9 p.m. Many bands, but don’t miss Stella Lively, Debonzo Brothers, and The Trousers

Friday: Odessa Fest 2011 at Kings with Transportation and Shit Horse

Saturday: Mann’s World Day Party at Dive Bar with Lurch, Black Thai and Righteous Fool
American Aquarium & Friends at Slim’s with Jack the Radio (Full disclosure: This is my own day party!)

Leo Suarez - Writer and Editor of The Raleigh Connoisseur

How is it even possible to make some good recommendations for this year’s Hopscotch Music Festival? The lineup brings so many bands to downtown that you should take a chance on something new rather than sticking to what you know. The weirder, the better I think.

To get the most out of an event like this, I CAN recommend that you stay in the music zone and tell your mom not to wait up for you. I mean don’t let up for one hour or minute and attend as many live shows as possible as there are highlights buried in the schedules that no one can predict. Last year’s Double Negative show had people doing front flips off the stage while a guy in an eagle costume was in the pit. Fucked Up’s lead singer walked mid-song into the Berkeley bathroom and embarrassed this poor soul inside, telling the whole crowd that he didn’t wash his hands. Yeah, kind of stupid, but those details added depth to the weekend experience.

A nice bonus to the event was that I met some new people and talked to some from out of town. The Day Parties are perfect for this as they are generally more laid back. This is also a good time to talk to any band members, as they, too, are checking out other acts.

What I want to recommend for this year’s festival is for everyone to come downtown and not to half ass their way through Hopscotch. This is an event for Raleigh to be proud of so live it up for three days. You can rest up afterwards.

Jon Lindsay - photo from Jon Lindsay Music

Christy Smith - Lead Singer of Tender Fruit who are playing Hopscotch Thursday at 10pm at Tir Na Nog

I'm excited to be playing Hopscotch this year - both for the experience of playing and for the FREE WRISTBAND. Once I secure said wristband to my freakishly small wrist, I'll be jogging around to catch the multitudinous talent. Thursday, I'd like to see the Black Twig Pickers (unfortunately their set overlaps mine, so I may have to settle for a youtube video), Love Language (such hooky hooks), Spider Bags, William Tyler and Mandolin Orange.

Friday afternoon, I'm doing a set and interview with Kelly Reid of Sound Situations. It's a new public access show focusing on local music, and they're doing a Hopscotch addition - should be fun. Afterwards, I wanna catch a little John Vanderslice, a little Mount Moriah, some Justin Robinson & the Mary Annettes, the Old Bricks (love the drums) and - a very critical goal of Friday night - Bandway. They have a song called "4Day Weekend" that's been stuck in my head since I saw them open for Ween in 2004. It's mind blowing. It's mythical. Go see them.

On Saturday - I'm very excited to see Bombadil play again. They make such inventive pop music, and I love their live shows. Also on the docket for Saturday - Kort, Des Ark, Jon Lindsay (who's kind of a phenom, if you ask me), Duane Pitre Sextet and others TBD.

Frank Fairfield - album cover image

Heather LaGarde - Co-owner of the Haw River Ballroom, the newly restored mill turned beautiful music venue in Saxapahaw, NC

HopScotch has a pretty, pretty line up this year, curated to show off the best of NC and supplemented by bands from a number of other musical incubation towns like that sister city of sound otherwise known as Madison, Wisconsin, homeplace of great groups like All Tiny Creatures who you really must not miss.

So many of our Saxapahaw favorites are playing like The Old Ceremony, The Love Language, Justin Robinson and the Mary Annettes, Mandolin Orange, D-Town Brass Band, Mt. Moriah, Onward Soldiers, Lost in the Trees and the time-warping Frank Fairfield who’ll be walking out of the Dust Bowl and right into Five Star to blow you away.

Add to that list Superchunk who I’ll always love and Drive By Truckers who I can never stop listening to and the Apple Juice Kid whose music is fabulous and whose cause, Love Propaganda, is one you should be part of and you’ve got an amazing music festival in your backyard. Get yourself to as much of it as you can.

Chris Tamplin - Creator & curator of Local Band-Local Beer at Tir Na Nog

For me first and foremost the most fun is had at The Day Parties. Day parties I am looking forward to are The Arbor Ridge Party on Friday and The Home Tapes & Trekky Records parties at Tir na nOg and Pour House. The Digg Up Tapes Party on Saturday along with American Aquarium and Friends and the Aqui Estamos parties will be a blast too.

For night time, I say that I will stay away from the big outdoor shows but I would be lying. Seeing The Flaming Lips is always a great time and then GBV and Drive-By Truckers are worth checking out. Mostly though I will be bouncing around checking out acts like J. Mascis, Love Language, Fan Modine, Brice Randall Bickford, Mount Moriah, and The Temperance League. I am not sure how I will get to see everything I want but that is part of the fun of Hopscotch, trying to fit everything in and not regret missing anything!

Kelly Reid - lover of Downtown Raleigh, former Music Director and DJ for WKNC 88.1, current host and producer of tv show, Sound Situations

Rule #1 Don't wonder what you're missing. Enjoy the hell out of what you're experiencing.

Rule #2 There will be lines to get into some venues so don't roll the dice---use the bathroom before you leave the venue you're currently at.

Rule #3 Recycle and for the love of Greg, Grayson and the other beautiful citizens of Raleighwood-- do not litter.

Thursday //

Dinosaur Feathers // Itching to see these guys live. Their sound is solid and familiar in ear-feel to that of the Triangle's Bright Young Things or the very missed Max Indian. They recently did a set at KEXP this summer which made me even more excited to catch their set.

Spider Bags // If I had to pick one Thursday show for J Mascis to go see it would be this one which means this is a necessity. Expect an energetic, yet well composed, healthy dose of gritty rock-n-roll. They are playing at the Lincoln Theatre so it will be loud, large, and there is a nice balcony to perch in. DO IT.

Filthybird // Quickly becoming a go-to group for many people in the Triangle. The music is kind of like an ethereal southern progressive rock soundtrack. It feels complete and their live show is always satisfying. It's music that will let me drift into my dream of owning a junkyard in a desolate area of West Texas, riding a motorcycle everywhere I go and always wearing a pair of jeans.

Friday //

The Loners // Go to Slim's and see The Loners. Slim's is where everyone in Raleigh goes to drink a cheap beer, or five. The Loners is a garage rock duo who never disappoint. This is Raleigh.

Two hard choices here but like Rule #1 says, don't wonder what you're missing.

Wooden Wand + John Vanderslice + Mount Moriah = amazing song writer + another amazing song writher + one of my absolute favorite song writers, local Heather McEntire of Mount Moriah (Bella Fea and Un Deux Trois)

Old Bricks + Generationals + Royal Bangs = mesmerizing local band + fun n catchy pop band + a band that makes me want to see the show while dancing on a pogo stick. These bands are paired perfectly and are guaranteed to be fun.

Saturday //

Way too many decisions. Way way too many. And if you're in it for the long haul of all three nights, and days, of music then by this point it's kind of a lost cause to make plans. Pick one thing for Saturday and achieve that.

On that note, you must see Future Islands. This includes you Wayne Coyne and don't bother wiping off any glitter or paint. Just go. I kinda feel silly telling anyone that they need to go see them, because the band is so familiar to the Triangle, Raleigh in particular. They are well known for a reason. Future Islands is one of the most pumped and sweaty experiences to be had for the festival. Their performance is an epic balance of quaint, bass-driven post-punk with a fearless, Shakespearian lyrics.

Let the Future Islands show be the anchor for the last night. Everything leading up to it and following it will be bliss.

Little Scream - photo by Susan Moss

Abby Nardo - Psychologist, Photographer, Gig Goer

I’m no expert on the bands playing Hopscotch – many are brand new to me. That said, many friends have asked for my opinion about who they should see. The advice I am repeating most often is this: Don’t go see anyone you’ve ever seen before, unless there is no one else playing during the same time slot. Grayson has impeccable taste in music, and if last year’s Hopscotch is any indicator, you will not be disappointed.

These are the bands I know enough about to recommend. Most are from the Triangle, of course. Following my own advice, you will likely not see me in these audiences, since I will be off exploring bands unknown.

Last Year’s Men - No idea of the actual age of these kids, but it’s YOUNG. I first saw them last year during a Hopscotch day party at Tir Na Nog, and they were a punk rock force. Frenetic energy, tight, thrilling live show.

The Love Language - Stu McLamb would have had a singing career at any time in history, and he oozes charisma on and off stage. All that, and he doesn’t upstage the rest of the band. With BJ Burton and Missy Thangs by his side and a strong rhythm section at back, The Love Language’s songs are catchy and jangly. Expect to dance a lot and be completely entertained.

The Tender Fruit - Christy Smith is the one constant of The Tender Fruit. I first saw her sing at the old Bickett Gallery in Raleigh. She’s one of the most down to earth people I’ve ever met. She’s all about the music, and she possesses the dual gifts of songwriting and one of the purest Americana voices I’ve ever heard.

Annuals - I’ve always struggled to describe the Annuals. Their songs are varied, and they can go between highly rhythmic and consonant to utter chaos, but for me, it always works. Their live shows are consistently exciting and thrilling and like no one else’s - sort of a virtuoso carnival of sorts.

Mount Moriah - I can not say enough about Heather McEntire as a singer, as a songwriter, as a person. She is a kind and generous performer with a strong, resonant, yet still vulnerable voice. I want to compare her voice to a certain boobalicious East Tennessee resident, but I don’t want you to go thinking this is glittery pop-country. It’s definitely more real than that. Heather is stunningly beautiful, but she’s generally wearing a t-shirt and jeans. She and Jenks make wonderful music. There will be quiet moment and times when the entire audience is dancing, and expect the most upbeat break-up song you’ve ever heard.

Justin Robinson and The Mary Annettes - Justin went and picked up his Grammy with his previous band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and then he hung it up with that band to focus on his new band - less travel, more schooling, a more normal life. The result is FANTASTIC. He belongs up front. This new combo is much more varied, less of a one-trick pony than CCD. He’s where he should be. Go see him be there!

Old Bricks -One of the best live shows I’ve seen this year was Old Bricks the night the tornado hit Raleigh. I hadn’t planned to go, but since power was out for everyone east of Fayetteville Street, a lot of us ended up at this show (Nests opened). Double drumming. Insane energy. I definitely want to see them again. May not be Hopscotch, since I know they are local, and I can catch them again here, but if you don’t get out much or aren’t from the Triangle, this is a great show to see.

All Tiny Creatures- I really like these guys. I saw them by accident when Phil Cook & His Feat recently opened for them at King’s Barcade here in Raleigh. Apparently, they are Hometapes labelmates with Megafaun (Phil’s regular band), so it all started making sense. Layers of rhythmic electronic sounds, voices, and guitars is what I remember, and lots of driving forward motion. The whole thing was very hypnotic.

Future Islands - They used to live in Raleigh, so I’ve seen them many times. Future Islands shows are sort of like live theatre and a rave combined, and there WILL be glow sticks. The live theatre part is Sam’s stage presence. He does very interesting animalistic and theatrical things with his voice, and he is there with the audience, drawing every single person right to him. It’s something to see if you never have.

Prayers & Tears - Perry has one of those busy brains that never stops. He tells stories, makes unexpected observations about passersby, and lucky for us, he writes songs about life, love, and religion. There’s an almost uncomfortable level of vulnerability in his lyrics, but that’s what makes it work. The songs are melodic and beautiful. I’ve seen them many times, and I highly recommend you catch them if you haven’t before.

Lost in the Trees - Ari Picker isn’t just a guy who write songs and leads his band. He went to Berklee School of Music in Boston, and he studied film scoring. He scores all the parts you hear his small orchestra playing. Yes, they used sheet music to learn what you are hearing. His songs are deeply personal, and he has a vulnerability in his performance that you just don’t see much in rock venues.

Peter Lamb & the Wolves - Wonderful jazz! I see these guys at least once a month. Peter is a real old school band leader. I have a crush on Mark’s voice. Every single guy in this outfit is amazingly competent. Swing dancers are known to show up at their shows and strut their stuff.

Shit Horse - Ah, Shit Horse! Danny Mason is older than most guys fronting thrash bands, but who cares? He has more energy than all of them. And you know what? He’s pretty good, too! Don’t be surprised if a half naked woman wearing a horse head and carrying an uzi makes an appearance.

The Old Ceremony - I’m actually surprised TOC haven’t broken out yet. Django is yet another amazing songwriter from the Triangle, but his songs have real radio/pop-rock appeal. Plus, this band plays constantly. They are tight! They never put on a bad show. Plus, they wear suits, and who doesn’t love suits?

What I’m most excited about: -

Thursday at Fletcher - Steve Gunn, Rhys Chatham G3, The Necks, and J. Mascis – Just because I keep reading about how awesome it’s all supposed to be, Grayson won’t shut up about The Necks, and while I’ve seen Dino Jr, I loved the new J. Mascis, and I’ve never seen him solo. Plus, at the recent Dino Jr gig, I was so taken with Lou Barlow, that I barely watched J. Mascis. I can’t lie.

Saturday at King’s (because of Des Ark and Little Scream, two bands I’ve begun to listen to a lot this year and Kort – 1/2 of which is Kurt Wagner of Lambchop, the band that took the XX Merge festival by storm a few years ago)

A few more words of advice:

Pace yourself. There is a lot on this schedule. Don’t overdo it on night one, then miss out on amazing stuff on day two. It’s an endurance race.
Don’t try too hard to stay with a group. You’ll find them again. See what you want to see. Make sure you check your phone for texts, and you’ll find them again.
The talks at the Raleigh City Museum are amazing. Go to them. Just do it. The real music lovers went to them last year and have been talking about them all year long.
Day parties. Lots of these overlaps you are all complaining about aren’t really a problem because many of these bands are also playing free shows during the day.
Keep a schedule with you. There is a printable PDF on the Hopscotch site.

Music , Other posts by Jedidiah.