Bombadil releasing deluxe edition of 'Tarpits and Canyonlands'

We told you a little more than a week ago about a curious concert listing for Bombadil playing an album release show for Tarpits and Canyonlands at the Cat's Cradle on June 21 even though the album was released in 2009.

As we predicted, the band is planning a big re-release of the album as a double-LP on colored vinyl on June 24. The album has been remastered from the original tapes and will include a download of the album as well as the previously unreleased track from the album sessions titled "Barcelona." It will also include 14 art prints that they say are suitable for framing.

Tickets for the release show are available now via Ticketfly for $10 (or $20 for a ticket as well as a poster).

Iron & Wine announces summer tour, coming to Raleigh

Photo by Craig Kief

South Carolina born singer-songwriter Sam Beam, better known as Iron and Wine, released his fifth full-length album last year titled Ghost on Ghost, and he has just announced some new summer tour dates that will bring him to the Triangle.

Iron and Wine will play the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh on Saturday, June 28. Angel Olsen will open. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $27 (general admission) or $35 (reserved).

Watch Beam performing a solo set for KEXP last fall below.

Album Review: Wye Oak - Shriek

It’s well-documented now that Wye Oak’s fourth album, Shriek, is a total departure from the sound that built the band’s fan base. There was a deliberate attempt to prepare fans through a steady stream of single releases and interviews. Even the opening track, “Before,” starts with a simple, 30 second two-note rhythm seemingly designed to ease listeners into the new, guitar-free sound.

Let’s get the comparisons out of the way: this is not Civilian or The Knot and listeners won’t find the same kind of physical catharsis here. The massive guitar sound is gone and Wye Oak don’t try to replace it with anything. That’s okay. Civilian and The Knot will always be there. Those records won’t disappear just because of the existence of Shriek.

Hopscotch adds third City Plaza show with De La Soul

For the first time in the brief history of the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, this year's festival will expand their main City Plaza stage to a third day with the addition of a show on Thursday, September 4.

Veteran hip-hop group De La Soul will headline the big stage on September 4 with Toon and The Real Laww kicking things off. All 3-day passes will include admission to this show and individual tickets for the show will go on sale soon HERE for $30.

De La Soul have received a lot of attention this year after they gave away their entire back catalog as a digital download for a limited time. They have a new album out soon titled You're Welcome.

Chvrches play their debut album for a sweaty Raleigh crowd

All photos by Kevin Norris

Scottish synthpop trio Chvrches are riding high since the release of their debut album The Bones of What You Believe last year and that success has resulted in packed shows across the country, including a sold out show last night at The Ritz in Raleigh.

Flanked by Iain Cook and Martin Doherty manning a variety of synthesizers and samplers, frontwoman Lauren Mayberry sang the group's infectious melodies like she meant it starting with the opening song "We Sink."

Damon Albarn announces short US tour, coming to Raleigh

Photo by Linda Brownlee

British singer-songwriter Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and The Good, The Bad and The Queen, as well as the mastermind behind Gorillaz, will release his debut solo album tomorrow, April 29, titled Everyday Robots. Albarn has just added a few US tour dates between his appearances at the Governor's Ball Festival in New York and the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee.

He'll play Memorial Auditorium the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Thursday, June 12. Ticket information is not available yet but we'll keep you posted. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $42.29. Tickets are on sale via Etix for $40.75.

Check out the music video for "Heavy Seas of Love" from Everyday Robots below along with Albarn and his band's recent performance of "Mr. Tembo" on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Southern Culture on the Skids, Mandolin Orange, Bombadil & more slated for 2014 Back Porch Music series

With springtime finally here in full force and temperatures rising, it's about time for summer concerts to kick off in the Triangle. Music in the Gardens and the Oak City 7 lineups have already been announced, and now WUNC's free Back Porch Music on the Lawn series has joined the ranks.

The series takes place at Durham's American Tobacco Campus and kicks off this year on May 15 with Southern Culture on the Skids. Mandolin Orange, Balsam Range, The Lee Boys with Love Cannon, Yarn, Bombadil with Loamlands, and Mipso with Victoria Lee round out the series. The series will close on September 4 with a surprise musical guest to celebrate the American Tobacco Campus' tenth anniversary. Check out the full series schedule below.

New music from T0W3RS - "The Situation"

Local psychedelic pop rockers T0W3RS are planning to release a new album later this year titled TL;DR and have shared a brand new song with us titled "The Situation."

The track features T0W3RS leader Derek Torres on all instruments except for drums (Ryan Van Fleet) and backing vocals (Josh Moore, Thomas Costello, Jesse Wooten). Check out the anthem-esque tune below (you can download the song via Bandcamp).

T0W3RS will be playing the Hopscotch Music Festival again in September (they also played the festival in 2012). Three-day passes are on sale now HERE.

Lyle Lovett & His Large Band announce summer tour

Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett has just announced a big summer tour with His Large Band that will bring them back to the Triangle for the first time four years. The last two times Lovett came to town was with his Acoustic Group last year and for a solo set with John Hiatt in 2012.

Lovett and His Large Band will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 27. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $45 to $100.

Lovett's latest album is 2012's Release Me. Check out a video of the band performing "Isn't That So" from the album live for KUTX last year below.

World of Bluegrass 2014 Bluegrass Ramble lineup announced

With the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Association bringing their World of Bluegrass festivities back to Raleigh this year (and next year too), the big multi-club nighttime shows dubbed the Bluegrass Ramble will return as well.

The Ramble will happen on September 30 to October 2 at seven downtown Raleigh venues, The Architect Bar & Social House, Kings, Lincoln Theatre, Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh Convention Center, Tir Na Nog and Vintage Church. The lineup has just been announced and will feature 30 bluegrass groups.

The lineup includes six North Carolina bands, Compton & Newberry, Constant Change, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Grass Cats, Moore Brothers Band and Red June. Check out the complete lineup below.

Art Garfunkel announces 2014 tour, coming to Durham

Legendary singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel is hitting the road this spring/summer on a short U.S. tour that will bring him to the Triangle in June.

Garfunkel will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Thursday, June 26. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $47 to $77.

Art Garfunkel's latest release is the compilation The Singer that includes songs from his solo releases as well as classic Simon and Garfunkel tunes. Check out a performance of the classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water" that can be found on The Singer from an Atlanta show earlier this year below.

Reigning Sound return in July with 'Shattered'

Just in time for the Merge 25 Festival in Carrboro in July, Asheville garage rock 'n rollers Reigning Sound will return with their first new album in five years.

The album, recorded at Daptone's studio in Brooklyn, is titled Shattered and will be released by Merge Records on July 15. Check out the title track from the album below.

Just over a week after releasing the new album, Reigning Sound will be in town to celebrate Merge's 25th anniversary. The band will play the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, July 24, with Superchunk, The Rock*A*Teens, The Clientele, Telekinesis, Eleanor Friedberger, Amor de Días and Hiss Golden Messenger. Tickets for that night's show are still available via Ticketfly for $49.

Schoolkids Records to start serving beer today

Back when Schoolkids Records was first talking about the move from Hillsborough Street to Mission Valley, other than the added space that the new location would provide for in-store performances, one of the much talked about new features was the onsite bar.

That feature will go into effect at 5:30 p.m. today, April 23, when Schoolkids Records will tap their first keg and start serving beer in the store. So as you peruse what remains of Saturday's Record Store Day inventory, checking out the latest releases or just enjoying the company of other music fans, you'll be able to wet your whistle while you do so.

The store has two in-store performances this week. Singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk will play at 4pm on Thursday, April 24, and Jon Langford will play at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 25.

Maxwell announces Summer Soulstice Tour, coming to Durham

R&B singer-songwriter Maxwell will set out on his first big tour since 2010 this summer as he embarks on the Summer Soulstice Tour. He was supposed to tour in 2012 but had to cancel the tour due to vocal swelling and hemorrhaging.

The singer will perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Saturday, July 26. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $49 to $125.

Maxwell hasn't released a new album since 2009's BLACKsummers'night. Check out his performance of "Pretty Wings" from the album on Ellen below.

Kings of Leon announces 'Mechanical Bull' 2014 tour

Photo by Dan Winters

Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon are heading out on a big summer/fall tour this year in support of their sixth full-length album Mechanical Bull released last fall.

The band will return to Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh on Wednesday, September 17. Young the Giant and Kongos will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via Live Nation for $29.50 to $65.50.

Check out the music video for the song "Temple" from Mechanical Bull below.

Rufus Wainwright returning to Durham this fall

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will hit the road later this year on a series of North American tour dates that will bring him back to the Triangle this fall for another big show.

Wainwright will return to the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Saturday, November 8. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $47 to $111.50 (ouch). The venue pre-sale will begin tomorrow, April 22, via Ticketmaster.

The tour is dubbed the Best of Rufus Wainwright after his recent release of Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright. Check out a recent performance of "I Don't Know What It Is" and "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" from the collection below.

Old Crow Medicine Show announces NC shows with Shovels & Rope

One of the most popular string bands around, Old Crow Medicine Show, will hit the road this summer and have just announced a pair of North Carolina shows with South Carolina rising stars Shovels and Rope.

The pair of groups will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Wednesday, August 20. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $25 to $45.

The next night, Thursday, August 21, they'll play the Uptown Amphitheater in Charlotte. Tickets for that show will also go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via Live Nation for $27.50 to $45.

Stu McLamb, Phil Cook & The Beast join Girls Rock benefit

A few weeks back we told you about a big benefit show for Girls Rock of North Carolina featuring a solo set by the Mountain Goats. Now that show has grown bigger with the addition of Stu McLamb and Friends, Phil Cook, and The Beast.

The show will happen at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Friday, June 27. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $15.

The night is dubbed Boys Rock for Girls Rock and will celebrate the music of female singers and songwriters. The male lineup will be "Paying homage to a wide-range of musical genres through covers, collaborations and mash-ups," according to the event listing.

Dom Flemons announces new solo album 'Prospect Hill'

Former Carolina Chocolate Drop Dom Flemons is back this summer with a new full-length solo album titled Prospect Hill. The album will be out on July 22 via the Music Maker Relief Foundation. Check out the full album track list below. According to a press release, the album reportedly "finds Flemons digging deeply into ragtime, Piedmont blues, spirituals, southern folk music, string band music, jug band music, fife and drum music, and ballads."

Flemons will play the Charlie Poole Music Festival in Eden on Friday, June 13.

Check out a video of Flemons performing the song "Po' Black Sheep" with his new touring trio below.

Hopscotch announces initial 2014 lineup, Spoon, Mastodon, St. Vincent, Sun Kil Moon top bill

This morning the initial lineup of the 2014 Hopscotch Music Festival, coming back to downtown Raleigh on September 4-6, was announced and just as in previous years it's a doozy.

Topping the bill this year are Spoon, Mastodon, St. Vincent, Sun Kil Moon, Death, High on Fire, Jamie xx, Thurston Moore, IIII and many, many more. Check out the current complete lineup below.

Spoon, St. Vincent and Lonnie walker will play the City Plaza stage on Friday, September 5. Things will get loud on Saturday, September 6, when Mastodon, Death and Valient Thorr play the big stage.

Bombadil announces 'Tarpits and Canyonlands' release show

Quirky local pop group Bombadil appear to be gearing up for a big celebration of their 2009 album Tarpits and Canyonlands. The band has been posting album art images from the album (like the one to the right) on Facebook this week a caption that reads "6/24/14."

The Cat's Cradle just added a new Bombadil show to their calendar on Saturday, June 21, listed as a "Record release show for Tarpits and Canyonlands." River Whyless will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25, via Ticketfly for $10.

Spider Bags sign with Merge Records, new album later this year

Just weeks after adding local troubadour M.C. Taylor, better known as Hiss Golden Messenger, to their roster, Merge Records has just added another local act to their ever-growing/evolving stable of acts. Chapel Hill rockers Spider Bags have just signed to the label who will release a new album from the band later this year.

As we mentioned yesterday, Spider Bags will play this summer Music in the Gardens series at Duke Gardens on Wednesday, June 18. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, April 22, via Duke Performances for $13 ($10 for Duke students and employees).

Chatham County Line, Dex Romweber Duo & Tonk playing Schoolkids on Record Store Day

The seventh annual Record Store Day is this Saturday, April 19, and Schoolkids Records in Raleigh is gearing up for another big day of exclusive releases and fantastic in-store performances.

The store will host sets by Chatham County Line previewing songs from their forthcoming album Tightrope (1:30 p.m.), Dex Romweber Duo (2:45 p.m.) and Tonk (3:45 p.m.).

Local record labels Merge and Yep Roc each have exclusive releases coming out on Saturday. Merge has reissues from Spoon and Breadwinner while Yep Roc has releases from The Minus 5, The Autumn Defense and Josh Rouse, Wesley Stace, Southern Culture on the Skids and Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin.

Merge acts dominate 2014 Music in the Gardens lineup

Continuing with the grand festivities celebrating their 25th anniversary, Merge Records has partnered with Duke Performances this year to present the label's acts at all but two of this summer's Music in the Gardens series at Duke Gardens.

Things will kick off on June 3 with King Khan and the Shrines and the series will roll on with Spider Bags (who have just signed with Merge, more on that later), The Rosebuds, Hammer No More the Fingers, Richard Buckner and Portastatic (check out photos and a write-up of their performance during the first Music in the Gardens series HERE). The two non-Merge acts on this year's Gardens' schedule are Plume Giant & Poor Rich Boy and Hammer No More the Fingers. Check out the schedule below.

Jake Bugg announces short US tour, coming to Raleigh

Young up and coming British singer-songwriter Jake Bugg is coming stateside this summer to play the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee and he has a scheduled a few more US dates around that appearance.

Bugg will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Thursday, June 19. Tickets officially go on sale on Friday, April 18, via Etix for $22, though as of late Monday night they were already available to purchase.

Jake Bugg released his sophomore album Shangri La last fall. Check out the music video for the song "Messed Up Kids" from the album below.

Widespread Panic announces summer tour, two nights in Raleigh

Veteran Georgia jam rockers Widespread Panic are hitting the road again this summer on a big tour that will kick off with two nights in Raleigh with New Orleans jazz band Galactic.

The pair will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on June 5 and 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 18, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out the band performing the songs "The Last Straw," Neil Young's "Time Fades Away" and "Junior" at a show in Reno last month below.

Cut Copy announces 2014 tour, coming to Carrboro

Electropop/synth rock band Cut Copy is heading back out on the road this year on a world tour in support of their latest album Free Your Mind and they'll return to the Triangle in June.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, June 12. Classixx will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $25.

Check out the music video for the title track from Free Your Mind below.

Bad Company & Lynyrd Skynyrd annouce summer tour

After joining forces for for a tour last year, British classic rock supergroup Bad Company is once again teaming up with southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd for a summer tour that will bring the bands to the Triangle's big shed.

They'll will play the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh on Tuesday, July 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, via Live Nation.

Bad Company hasn't released a new studio album since 1996's Stories Told & Untold, but their most recent release is 2011's live album/DVD Live at Wembley. Check out "Feel Like Makin' Love" from the album below.

Oak City 7 free concert series announces first 2014 acts

The Posies - photo by Julian Ochoa

The Oak City 7 free concert series will return to downtown Raleigh every other Thursday starting on May 29 and the first performers of the 2014 season have just been announced.

The season will kick off on May 29 with the Atlanta Rhythm Section and will continue with Fastball on June 26, Kings X on July 10 and will close with The Posies on August 21. There are still may dates still to be announced and support acts for the aforementioned shows are also TBA. We'll keep you posted as more acts are announced.

[UPDATE: Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba, The Amateurs and Collapsis have been added to the lineup. Check out the updated schedule below.]

Lucinda Williams announces spring tour, two nights in Saxapahaw

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams just re-released a deluxe 25th anniversary edition of her 1988 self-titled album and she will hit the road on short spring tour that includes two nights in the Triangle.

Williams' will return to the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on June 2 and 3. Kenneth Brian Band will open. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today, April 11, via Ticketfly for $35.

Check out a video Williams and her band performing "The Night's Too Long" from her self-titled album from her Haw River Ballroom show last September below.

Merge Records announces full Merge 25 Festival lineup

Merge Records has just unveiled the full lineup for its four-day 25th anniversary bonanza in Carrboro and Durham, adding some big acts to the already stellar bunch that was previously released.

The newly announced performers are Mount Moriah, William Tyler, Reigning Sound, Telekinesis, Eleanor Friedberger, Amor de Días, Hiss Golden Messenger (the newest addition to the Merge family), David Kilgour and the Heavy 8s, Imperial Teen, Hospitality, Saint Rich, Vertical Scratchers, Teenage Fanclub, Mikal Cronin and The Music Tapes. The day each artist is performing has also been announced and you can check out the day-by-day breakdown below.

A press release noted "We have plenty more surprises up our sleeves, so stay tuned as we celebrate Merge 25!"

Merge Records to reissue The Rock*A*Teens' 'Sweet Bird of Youth' on vinyl

Continuing the year of remastered reissues of albums from the label's back catalog celebrating their 25th anniversary, Merge Records next album up is The Rock*A*Teens 2000 album Sweet Bird of Youth.

The album will be reissued on vinyl as a double LP on June 3. The release will also include a bonus download of one of their last live shows before disbanding that was recorded at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens, GA on December 30, 2002. Check out the album track list as well as the live show track list below.

The Rock*A*Teens are reforming to play the Merge 25 Festival at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday, July 24. Superchunk and The Clientele are also confirmed for the bill that night. Tickets for that night are available via Ticketfly for $49.

Jack White announces new album 'Lazaretto,' 2014 tour, heading to Charlotte

Singer-songwriter Jack White will release his second solo album Lazaretto on June 10 and he'll hit the road on world tour this summer in support of it, including a stop in North Carolina.

Jack White has yet to play a solo show in the Triangle, but the new tour will bring him to The Fillmore in Charlotte on Thursday, June 5. Kelley Stoltz will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 11, via LiveNation for $45.

Check out the instrumental song "High Ball Stepper" from the album Lazaretto below.

Boris announces new album 'Noise,' summer tour

Japanese metal trio Boris have announced the release of their new album Noise that will be out in the U.S. on June 17 and the band will cross the Pacific for a big North American tour this summer.

Boris will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, August 1. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 11, via Ticketfly for $15.

Check out the ferocious seven-minute song "Quicksilver" from the new album Noise below.

Titus Andronicus announces spring tour, coming Chapel Hill

New Jersey rockers Titus Andronicus have reportedly been working on a 33-song rock opera-esque album about manic depression that is expected out in the fall but in the meantime the band will hit the road for a few shows in the spring that will include a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play Local 506 in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, May 20. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $12.

Check out Titus Andronicus performing the song "Still Life with Hot Deuce and Silver Plater" from their album Local Business on KUTX in Austin last year below.

Album Review: S. Carey - Range of Light

S. Carey’s Range of Light, the first full length follow up to 2010’s All We Grow, is the clearest distillation of the Bon Iver drummer’s musical ideas yet.

The improved production leads to pristine tones and allows the subtlety of Carey’s compositions breathe easily without strain or exaggeration. There are plenty of production tricks present, but Carey keeps warmth and intimacy in his music through natural percussion and his own voice.

Range of Light draws from classical, folk and jazz music to build soundscapes that prime the imagination. Carey’s music is like a more percussive version of Eluvium. The underlying beat is stronger, but longer tones that form the melodies and supporting line are just as gorgeous.

Nickel Creek extends 25th anniversary tour, coming to Cary

Contemporary bluegrass trio Nickel Creek has sprung back to life this year after about a seven year hiatus to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group and to release their first new album in nine years, A Dotted Line. The band has extended their 2014 tour and they'll return to the Triangle for the first time in eight years (they played Memorial Hall in Chapel Hill in September 2006; read the review HERE).

Nickel Creek will play the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary on Thursday, August 14. Josh Ritter will open. Tickets will go on sale at noon on Friday, April 11 via Etix for $50 (reserved seats), $40 (tables) or $35 (lawn). The band pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9, HERE.

Check out the song "Love of Mine" from A Dotted Line below.

IBMA Awards, World of Bluegrass conference, Wide Open Bluegrass Festival returning to Raleigh in the fall

After a successful first year in Raleigh in 2013, the International Bluegrass Music Association is returning to Raleigh in in September and October 2014 for the second year of their three-year deal with the City of Raleigh.

Like last year, the week-long event will bring the World of Bluegrass music conference, the annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, and the big weekend Wide Open Bluegrass music festival to downtown Raleigh. This year's event will run from September 30 to October 4.

Tickets for members are already on sale as of March 31 and tickets for non-members will go on sale for all of the events on Monday April 14 HERE.

Merge Records to release new Flesh Wounds 7" in May

Carrboro power trio Flesh Wounds released their debut album in 2012 via cassette (and digitally) and now the band will release three new songs on 7" vinyl via Merge Records (it will be released digitally too, of course).

The label will release "Bitter Boy" with the b-sides "Kennel Cough" and "Let Me Be Clear" on May 13. Check out the blistering "Bitter Boy" which doesn't even cross the two-minute mark below.

Flesh Wounds will play the Nightlight in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, April 9, with Last Year's Men and Golden Pelicans. Tickets will be $7 at the door for members or $9 for non-members.

The Fray announces 'Helios' summer tour

Colorado pop rockers The Fray released their fourth full-length album Helios in February and they've just announced a big summer tour in support of it that includes a stop in the Triangle.

The band will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Monday, July 14. Ticket information is not available yet but we'll let you know when it is.

Check out the music video for the single "Love Don't Lie" from Helios below.

Hiss Golden Messenger signs with Merge Records

Singer-songwriter M.C. Taylor who we all know as Hiss Golden Messenger released a fantastic new album last year (Haw) and re-released a lost album earlier this year (Bad Debt) and now he's signed a deal with Merge Records.

While there are no details yet of Hiss Golden Messenger's first release with Merge, the label says a new full-length is to be expected. In the meantime, Taylor will spend quite a bit of time playing shows in Europe over the next few months but maybe we'll see him at the Merge 25 Festival in July if he makes it back from the UK in time.

Check out a review of Hiss Golden Messenger's latest release Bad Debt HERE.

The Mountain Goats' Darnielle to play solo benefit show in Saxapahaw

Before the Mountain Goats play a big show sold out show at the Cat's Cradle in July celebrating Merge Records' 25th anniversary, John Darnielle will play a solo Goats show to benefit the Girls Rock NC in June.

Darnielle will play the Haw River Ballroom on Friday, June 27. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 4, via Ticketfly for $15.

As previously mentioned, the Mountain Goats will play the Merge 25 Festival at the Cat's Cradle on July 25 with Destroyer, Wye Oak and more bands still to be announced. Tickets for that night are already sold out but you can still get tickets for the July 24 and 26 festivities via Ticketfly. Get more information about the festival HERE.

George Clinton & Paliament Funkadelic announce big Raleigh show

Legendary funk band George Clinton & Paliament Funkadelic are set to return to the Triangle next month for a big show.

The band will headline the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Saturday, May 17. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 4, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $9.57 to $32.99.

Check out a video of the band performing the classic "Flashlight" at a show in Houston last year below.

O.A.R. & Phillip Phillips announce summer tour

O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips are teaming up for a big summer tour in support of their new albums, The Rockville LP and Behind the Light, respectively. As you may have guessed the tour will stop in the Triangle.

The pair will play the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh on Sunday, July 13. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out the singles "Peace" and "Raging Fire" from the albums The Rockville LP and Behind the Light below.

Gillian Welch announces April tour, coming to Durham

The incomparable duo of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have just announces a quick eight-date tour later this month that will include a stop in the Triangle.

The duo will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Monday, April 28. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 4, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $35. A fanclub pre-sale will begin a 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 3.

Welch's latest album is 2011's The Harvest and the Harrow. Check out the duo's performance of "The Way It Goes" from the album on Later with Jools Holland that year below.