Second Durham Film Acoustic event to feature Lucinda Williams

After hosting the first Film Acoustic event at the Carolina Theatre earlier this month featuring the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, the series will continue in January with acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams and the 1979 film Wise Blood, based on the novel by Flannery O'Connor.

The film screening and discussion will take place at the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Monday, January 26. Tickets are on sale now via the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets for $15.

Check out the trailer for Wise Blood below. Williams' latest album Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone was released in September.

A guide to New Year's Eve 2015 in the Triangle

The year is drawing to a close and there are tons of great performances scheduled to go on this Wednesday night to send 2014 packing and welcome in 2015.

Below you'll find a list of New Year's Eve events all over the Triangle, everything from an arena show with The Avett Brothers to smaller dance parties and jazz ensembles. So whatever your pleasure is there is very likely something going on Wednesday night that you'll enjoy.

Best of 2014: Triangle Music readers' favorites

I say this every year but as much as Justin and I (Kevin) love sharing our favorite music of the year with you all, we love finding out what you guys have been digging throughout the year even more.

This year our readers picked The War on Drugs' Lost in the Dream as their favorite album of the year and the band also nabbed the favorite song of the year with "Red Eyes." Tune-Yards at the Cat's Cradle in October was the favorite show of the year, though The War on Drugs also made that list coming in at number three with their set at the Hopscotch Music Festival.

Best of 2014: Kevin's Favorites

To a lot of folks watching new music in 2014, especially in the Triangle but all over the country and the world too, this was the year of Sylvan Esso, and I would include myself in that group. After first seeing the duo at the Hopscotch Music Festival in 2013 it was easy to tell that the group was special.

In 2014 their debut album hit shelves and it did not disappoint, blending the electronic grooves of Nick Sanborn with the amazing melodies and vocals of Amelia Meath. Not only did I pick their self-titled album as my favorite album of the year but their song "Coffee" made my top songs list as well.

Best of 2014: Justin's Favorites

There is an endless amount of music that treats the South as nothing more than an opportunity for cheap connection. Mentions of Alabama pines or red clay or any other of the numerous southern symbols are nothing more than lures for whoops of recognition. 

Fortunately, 2014 brought us many great records that were of the South, but not satisfied with simple nostalgia. Sturgill Simpson and Hurray for the Riff Raff turned traditional country and blues on their heads with songs about psychedelic drug experiences and the misogyny present in murder ballads.

Merge Records signs Waxahatchee, new album out in 2015

As Merge wraps a big year celebrating their 25th anniversary, they're keeping their eyes focused on what lies ahead. In addition to recently signing Australian band Twerps, the label has just added another big name to their roster, singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, better known as Wahaxatchee.

Merge will release a new Waxahatchee album in early 2015 but a specific release date and additional details have not been announced yet.

Waxahatchee has played the Triangle quite a bit in recent years. One of those shows was at the Hopscotch Music Festival in 2013. Check out a write-up and photos from her set HERE.

Burt Bacharach announces 2015 dates, coming to Durham

Legendary singer-songwriter, composer and pianist Burt Bacharach has written 73 songs that have been top 40 hits in the U.S. and in early 2015 he'll be playing a lot of those hits when he hits the road.

Bacharach will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Wednesday, March 4. Tickets are on sale now via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $47 to $210.

Check out the complete tribute to Bacharach at the White House when he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2011 below. It features performances by Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Diana Krall, Lyle Lovett, Mike Myers, Michael Feinstein, Rumer, Arturo Sandoval and Sheléa as well as Bacharach himself at the end performing his hit "What the World Needs Now."

Bombadil announces new album 'Hold On,' release show & share "Amy's Friend"

Local quirky pop band Bombadil have just announced that they will release a new album on March 24 via Ramseur Records titled Hold On and they will have a big album release show in the Triangle.

The band will celebrate Hold On at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, March 21. Sinners and Saints will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, via Ticketfly for $12.

Check out the second track from Hold On titled "Amy's Friend" below.

Peter Hook & The Light announce spring tour playing Joy Division albums

Bass player Peter Hook of Joy Division and formerly of New Order will hit the road on a U.S. tour in the spring with his band The Light and they will be playing the Joy Division albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer in their entirety and also opening the show with a set of New Order songs.

The tour will stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, May 1. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, via Ticketfly for $25.

Check out a video Peter Hook and The Light performing the Joy Division classic "Love Will Tear Us Apart" in Mexico City two years ago bellow.

Spider Bags & Eternal Summers to headline Double Barrel Benefit XII

For the second year in 2015 the big WKNC Double Barrel benefit concert will split it's two nights of shows between Raleigh's Lincoln Theatre and Carrboro's Cat's Cradle. This year's headliners are Spider Bags and Eternal Summers.

Spider Bags will headline the first show at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, February 7. Eternal Summers will headline the second show at the Cat's Cradle on Saturday, February 14.

Two show passes are on sale now via Etix for $22. Tickets for just the Raleigh show are on sale now via Etix for $12. Tickets for just the Carrboro show are on sale now via Ticketfly for $12.

Kacey Musgraves announces winter tour, returning to Durham

Country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves was just in Durham last month to play the annual Country for Kids concert at DPAC and now she has announced a new winter tour that will bring her back to Durham for a proper headlining show.

Musgraves will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Friday, February 13. John and Jacob will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster starting at $35. The pre-sale begins at 10 a.m. today, December 16, via Tickemaster with the password PEARL.

Check out Musgraves performing the Loretta Lynn classic "You're Looking at Country" with the legend herself at the CMA Awards earlier this year below.

Lights announces winter tour, coming to Carrboro

Singer songwriter Valerie Anne Poxleitner, better known as Lights, released her third full-length album in September titled Little Machines and she will hit the road in early 2015 on a U.S. tour in support of it.

Lights will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, February 28. X Ambassadors will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 19, via Ticketfly for $15.

Check out the music video for the song "Up We Go" from the album Little Machines below.

Merge Records shares videos, photos from Merge 25

Photo by Kevin Norris

The Merge 25 Festival in Carrboro was easily one of the highlights of the year in the Triangle this past summer, and now the the label has shared a bunch of photos and videos from the four-day festival for folks to enjoy.

Head HERE to check out tons of media and you can even stream the videos via the embedded players below.

And in case you missed any of our coverage of the festival earlier this year you can check out tons of photos and reviews HERE.

M.C. Taylor & Friends to play NARAL NC 42nd anniversary show

Singer-songwriter M.C. Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger has had a big 2014 with the release of his Merge Records debut Lateness of Dancers and increased popularity and critical acclaim. In January Taylor will contribute his talents to support and celebrate NARAL NC (NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina).

Taylor and friends will play the organization's 42nd anniversary celebration at the Pinhook in Durham on Sunday, January 18. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $15.

Hiss Golden Messenger will release a new 12-inch EP on February 5 titled Southern Grammar that will open with a live version of the title track as performed by a nine-piece band just as when the group recently appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. Check out that performance below.

New Found Glory announces spring tour, coming to Carrboro

Florida pop punk rockers New Found Glory released their eighth full-length studio album Resurrection in October and now they have announced a big spring tour in support of it.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, April 3. Turnstile, This Wild Life and Turnover will open. Tickets will go on sale at 11:04 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, via Ticketfly for $18.50.

Check out the music video for the song "Selfless" from the new album Resurrection below.

The Gaslight Anthem announces early 2015 dates, coming to Raleigh

Jersey rockers The Gaslight Anthem have become regular visitors to the Triangle and they'll return early next year in support of their latest album Get Hurt, released in August.

The band will play the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh on Wednesday, March 4. Northcote and The Scandals will open. Pre-sale tickets are available now via Etix for $22 but you need a password to access it. The general on sale should begin soon.

Check out the music video for the song "1,000 Years" from the album Get Hurt below.

Sylvan Esso to play a big outdoor show in Carrboro

After exploding in popularity this year after releasing their self-titled debut album which gained heaps of acclaim, Triangle duo Sylvan Esso is ready to come back to the Triangle for a big outdoor show in Carrboro once spring warms things up a bit.

The duo will play Carrboro Town Commons on Friday, April 3. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $10.

With Sylvan Esso blowing up this year we've written about them quite a bit. Check out music videos, TV appearances and more that we've written about HERE.

La Dispute & Title Fight announce co-headline tour

Rising star rockers La Dispute and Title Fight are teaming up or a short co-headline tour in the spring that will include support from The Hoteliers.

The tour will make a stop at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, March 24. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via the Ticketfly for $20.

Michigan band La Dispute released their third album this year titled Rooms of the House. Stream the entire album below.

Pennsylvania punk rockers Title Fight will release their third album Hyperview on February 3. Check out the music video for the song "Chlorine" from the album below.

Neutral Milk Hotel announce 'last tour for the foreseeable future,' coming to Greensboro

Indie rock icons Neutral Milk Hotel have been on what seems like an never ending tour since late 2013 but it now appears that it's coming to an end next year. The final round of dates, which start in Greensboro, will be according to the band's statement, "our last tour for the foreseeable future."

The band will play the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro on Monday, April 13. Dot Wiggin Band will open. Pre-sale tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today, December 11, HERE. The general sale will being at noon on Friday, December 12, HERE.

Will Butler announces spring tour, coming to Durham

We just told you about Will Butler of Arcade Fire announcing the release of his first solo album titled Policy that will be out on March 10 via Merge Records. Now he has announced a solo tour around the release that includes a stop in the Triangle.

Butler will play The Pinhook in Durham on Sunday, March 15. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via Ticketfly for $12.

If you haven't already checked out the song "Take My Side" from Policy, listen to it HERE.

Vote now in the 2014 Triangle Music Readers' Poll

It's that time of the year again where everybody is posting best of 2014 lists and we'll follow suit in the coming weeks. But for now, just like every year, we want to know what you all think are the best albums, songs and shows of 2014.

You can vote in our poll by going HERE or you can just use the embedded widget below. As always we ask for your favorite five albums, ten songs and three shows, and this year we're adding a new category, favorite reissue (you can pick two). You can skip some of categories if you want and we'll still count the others you fill out.

Please get your votes in by midnight on Friday, December 19. We'll post the results the following Monday.

The New Pornographers add winter 2015 dates

Indie pop band The New Pornographers were just in the Triangle for a sold out show at the Cat's Cradle and now they've added some new winter dates that will bring them back to the area for another show.

The band will play Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw on Sunday, February 15. Operators will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via Ticketfly for $30.

The New Pornographers latest album Brill Bruisers is currently claiming spots on quite a few best albums of 2014 lists. Check out the band performing the title track from the album on the Late Show with David Letterman earlier this year below.

Sleater-Kinney extend reunion tour, coming to Raleigh

Reunited indie veterans Sleater-Kinney will release their first new album in ten years on January 20 titled No Cities to Love and they have just extended their world tour into the spring and will be coming to the Triangle.

Sleater-Kinney will play The Ritz in Raleigh on Wednesday, April 22. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via Ticketmaster for $25 ($35.68 once you add fees).

Check out the song "Surface Envy" from the new album No Cities to Love below.

Diana Ross announces winter dates, returning to Durham

R&B legend Diana Ross is hitting the road again in early 2015 to play a few shows and a return to the Triangle is part of her itinerary.

Ross will return to the Durham Performing Arts Center on Friday, February 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $70.50 to $126. The season ticket holder pre-sale begins today, December 9 and the Friends of DPAC pre-sale begins on Wednesday, December 10.

Check out a video of Ross performing the classic "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" at her last show at DPAC in 2011 below.

Twerps announce spring tour, share "Shoulders"

As we first mentioned back in the summer, Australian indie pop band Twerps have joined the Merge Records family and they will release their first album with label, Range Anxiety, on January 27. The band will come to North America in the spring in support of the album and will make their way to the Triangle.

Twerps will play The Pinhook in Durham on Monday, March 16. Ultimate Painting will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10:30 p.m. tonight, December 8, via Ticketfly for $10.

Merge has just shared a new song from Range Anxiety titled "Shoulders." Check it out below.

Celestogramme announces debut show with Lilac Shadows

Singer-songwriter Amanda Lindsey's new project Celestogramme that we first told you about back in May will finally hit the stage in a couple weeks when the band makes their live debut.

Celestogramme's big debut will be at the Pinhook in Durham on Sunday, December 21. Lilac Shadows will open. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketfly for $5.

Lindsey just got back the mastered version of Celestogramme's debut album Wish Vehicles and it is due out in the new year. Stay tuned for more on the album as we learn it. Check out the songs "Red Queen Hypothesis" and "Carnivore Ravaging" from Celestogramme's DiggUp Tapes debut cassingle below.

The Love Language, The Barefoot Movement, Augustines playing First Night

Photo by Kevin Norris

We've already told you about New Year's Eve shows in the Triangle with The Avett Brothers and The Old Ceremony and now another big North Carolina band has joined the ranks.

The Love Language will take part in the big First Night festivities that take place in downtown Raleigh every New Year's Eve. The band will play the Contemporary Art Museum from 8 to 10 p.m. Nashville band The Barefoot Movement will also play the event at 9 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Brooklyn band Augustines will ring in the new year in City Plaza from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

Gov't Mule announces winter tour, coming to Durham

Back in 1999 guitarist John Scofield played two special shows in Georgia with southern rock jam band Gov't Mule and there were plans to release the recordings as a live album. The release never saw the light of day all those years ago but it will finally be released as a double album in January titled Sco-Mule. Gov't Mule and Scofield will team up for a tour in early 2015 in support of it that will bring them to the Triangle.

They will play the Durham Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 3. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 12, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Drive-By Truckers announce winter tour, coming to Carrboro

Georgia rockers Drive-By Truckers will hit the road on a short run of dates in early 2015, including a quick trip to Mexico and a return to the Triangle.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Saturday, January 31. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 5, via Ticketfly for $25.

The band just released a deluxe edition of their latest album, English Oceans last month. Check out the band's full performance for KEXP earlier this year featuring four songs from the album below.

Album Review: The Tender Fruit - The Darkness Comes

The Darkness Comes, the follow up to 2010’s fantastic Flotsam and Krill, is nothing short of spectacular.

The Tender Fruit, the musical outlet of Christy Smith, has grown far beyond Smith’s vocals, guitar and brilliant song writing. Majestic percussion, tense electric guitar and powerful vocal harmonies build Smith’s songs from simple front porch soundtracks into dramatic and invigorating show stoppers.

“Light Between Us” exemplifies this as the bombastic toms push the soaring chorus into a guitar solo. On the first listen, it’s a “whoa!” moment for fans of Smith’s songs from four years ago.

Mat Kearney announces new album 'Just Kids,' spring tour

Singer-songwriter Mat Kearney will release his fifth full-length album on February 24 titled Just Kids and he will hit the road on spring tour in 2015 in support of it.

Kearney will play The Ritz in Raleigh on Monday, March 30. Parachute and Judah and the Lion will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 5, via Ticketmaster for $25. Kearney's pre-sale will start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, and a Live Nation will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 4. Every ticket order will include a download of the new album.

Check out the music video for Kearney's new single "Heartbeat" below.

Boyz II Men to play with NC Symphony again in June

R&B group Boyz II Men came to Raleigh to play with the North Carolina Symphony in the spring of 2013 and the experience must have been pretty good because they're going to do it again next summer.

Boyz II Men and the symphony will once again play Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh on Wednesday, June 24. Tickets are on sale now via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $38 to $89.

Boyz II Men just released a new album in October titled Collide. Check out the music video for "Losing Sleep" from the album below.