Amanda Palmer announces spring 2015 solo tour

Singer-songwriter and Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer will hit the road this spring on a solo tour dubbed An Evening with Amanda Fucking Palmer and she'll return to the Triangle armed with just a piano, ukulele, and her catalog of songs.

She'll play the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on Monday, April 6. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 20, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out a video of Palmer performing "Makin' Whoopee" with author Neil Gaiman from the pair's 2013 live album An Evening With Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer below.

Hopscotch 2014 Night 3: T0W3RS, Phosphorescent

All photos by Chris Powers

My Hopscotch ended as a music festival should: with the two performances that ended up being my favorite from the weekend.

At the Pour House, Derek Torres led a host of gymnasts and musicians for a show that will go down in Hopscotch lore. As T0W3RS, Torres is free to explore all angles of the musical spectrum. He started with a quiet solo introduction while the gymnasts danced behind him. Soon, several musicians joined him and they launched into an exhilarating, life-affirming set of pop.

Hopscotch 2014 Night 1: Body Games, New Music Raleigh, IIII

All photos by Chris Powers

As the rain continued to pour down, drenched fans made their way to the Duke Energy performing arts complex to take in an interesting trio of acts that lived up to Hopscotch’s reputation for experimental music, but were outside of the typical ambient and drone genres the festival is famous for.

Chapel Hill’s Body Games lit up the Kennedy Theater with psychedelic projects of Johah Hill and various romantic scenes from Disney films (I spotted The Lion King and Robin Hood). Like moths to a flame, this attracted the glow stick crowd that has become an annual tradition at Hopscotch and a dance party began.

Aoife O'Donovan extends tour into 2015, coming to Raleigh

Americana/folk rock singer-songwriter Aoife O'Donovan has been touring hard since the release of her debut album Fossils released last year via Yep Roc Records. She has added more tour dates that will bring her back to the Triangle early next year.

O'Donovan will play the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on Friday, January 16. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $27 to $29.

Check out the music video for the song "Beekeeper" from the album Fossils below.

Willie Watson announces fall tour, coming to Raleigh

Singer-songwriter Willie Watson, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show, plans to stay on the road for much of the remainder of the year touring in support of his debut solo album Folk Singer Vol. 1. He played the Cat's Cradle Back Room last month but when he comes back this fall he'll play a big seated theater.

Watson will play the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on Thursday, November 13. Tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, via the Duke Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $27 to $29. A presale for Pinecone members will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3.

Check out a video of Watson performing the song "Mexican Cowboy" from Folk Singer Vol. 1 for A Prairie Home Companion earlier this year below.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 3: San Fermin, Low

Photos by Kevin Norris

After leaving the space rock sounds of Spiritualized in City Plaza (see photos with Justin's write-up HERE), I made my way to Fletcher Opera Theater for one of the sets I was most looking forward to at Hopscotch 2013, Brooklyn group San Fermin.

Things got off to a rocky start though as their set was delayed while songwriter and keyboardist Ellis Ludwig-Leone was forced to reboot his Macbook Pro, which was supplying the sounds for his keyboard, delaying the set quite a bit. The band chatted with crowd about spirit animals, good local coffee spots and the origin of the group's name during the delay.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Mount Moriah, Pere Ubu

Photos by Kevin Norris

After leaving Local Natives at Memorial Auditorium (see my photos and write-up HERE), I had a few moments to check out local rising stars Mount Moriah over at the Fletcher Opera Theater where they were playing their entire catalog with some special guests.

When I arrived Daniel Hart of Physics of Meaning was onstage with them playing violin and it sounded amazing. McEntire said that more friends would be joining them throughout the set but I unfortunately didn't get to see any more. She also noted how crazy it was that they agreed to play their entire catalog.

I did catch a rousing version of "Social Wedding Rings" before heading off to catch a bit of Big Daddy Kane at Lincoln Theatre (check out photos with Justin's write-up HERE). The Mount Moriah set was one of many I wish I could have stuck around for in its entirety, but we try to cover as much ground as possible at Hopscotch.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 2: Lady Lamb The Beekeeper, Big Daddy Kane, Waxahatchee

Photos by Kevin Norris

While tuning in the Fletcher Opera House, Lady Lamb The Beekeeper opened up the floor for questions which for one rude audience member was an invitation to loudly ask, “What do you look like naked?” It’s unfair that a wonderful musician would be reduced to a sexual object simply because she’s female and it’s unacceptable.

Lady Lamb was briefly taken aback, but quickly disarmed the situation. “That was inappropriate. Why are you here? Go see Local Natives.”

More powerful than her comeback was her voice. She was alone on stage with just her guitar, but she filled the stage all the same. It was an impressive performance considering all of the extra orchestration on her latest record, but it would have been to get the full experience. Hopefully she’ll come back for a future Hopscotch and a full band set.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: The Kingsbury Manx, The Dreebs

Photos by Kevin Norris

After starting my 2013 Hopscotch Music Festival experience with a few songs from Nathan Bowles (check out photos with Justin's write-up HERE) I made my way next door to check out local favorites The Kingsbury Manx.

The band took the stage in the vast Memorial Auditorium to play songs from their latest album The Bronze Age. Their spacious pop rock sounds fit perfectly in the lofty space as some extra reverb to their already lush sound.  Check out photos below.

Hopscotch 2013 Night 1: Nathan Bowles, Angel Olsen

Photos by Kevin Norris

In the quiet confines of the Fletcher Opera House, Nathan Bowles kicked off 2013’s Hopscotch festival with solo banjo pieces both original and classic. Bowles welcoming nature, his intricate music, and the venue itself made for an intimate performance that felt more like somebody’s living room than a music festival.

It’s the kind of set that feels like it could only happen at Hopscotch. Bowles represented both the roots of regions music with well-known songs like “Liza Jane,” but his original music pushes bluegrass and folk to its boundaries. Bowed banjo, multiple tunings, and hand percussion were just a few of the techniques Bowles employed to turn a single banjo into trance-inducing music.

Hopscotch 2012 Day 3: Lambchop, Wye Oak

All photos by Kevin Norris

Fletcher Opera Theater is the perfect venue for the current Lampchop tour. The band wants to play as quiet as possible and the theater provided both the acoustics and expectations to make it work.

Early this year at Motorco, Lampchop tried a similar set that was marred by an incessant hum from on of the amps and a chatty crowd. In Fletcher the audio was perfect. Audiences also act differently in seated venues. Fletcher is not a social venue; it’s a place to hear music.

Hopscotch 2012 Day 2: The Weather Station, Hiss Golden Messenger

Photo by Michael Graham

The Fletcher Opera Theater was full of fantastic folks music on Friday night. Canadian singer-songwriter Tamara Lindeman, aka The Weather Station, and Hiss Golden Messenger featuring Brad and Phil Cook of Megafaun and guitarist William Tyler, stunned crowds with their sets.

Check out photos of The Weather Station and Hiss Golden Messenger below.

Hopscotch 2012 Day 2: The Mountain Goats

All photos by Michael Graham

Hopscotch day two ended with an epic two-hour set from The Mountain Goats in Fletcher Opera Theater.

John Darnielle opened with his much anticipated set of metal covers. He sat at the piano and was joined by a trio of backup singers.

Darnielle’s arrangements of Ozzy Osbourne, Gorguts, Nightwish, and more proved that there was beauty beneath the hard exterior of these songs. He made the audience hear music from a different perspective and likely opened some new ears to a new genre of music.

Hopscotch 2012 Day 1: Matthew E. White, Deerhoof, Liars

All photos by Kevin Norris

In just three years, Hopscotch has become one of the most respected music festivals in the country. One reason for this is the truly unique sets its organizers put together. The first night of Hopscotch 2012 was no exception.

In Fletcher Opera Theater, Matthew E. White and 30 other musicians (including the Triangle’s own Phil Cook) recreated White’s adventurous new album, Big Inner, live. White stood center stage straddled by bass, drums and keys. Behind him were sections of strings, back up vocalists, and winds.

Chatham County Line returning to Fletcher this winter

Local string band Chatham County Line have been generating quite a bit of buzz lately around the release of their new live album and DVD Sight & Sound. The release features performances from the band's performance at the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh during the summer of 2010. The band will return to the venue early next year.

Chatham County Line will play Fletcher on Friday, February 13. Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 20 via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $25 to $27 according to Ticketmaster ($27 to 29 according to the Progress Energy Center's website). A pre-sale for Pinecone members will begin on Monday, August 13.

Check out the performance of "Closing Town" from the Sight & Sound DVD below.

The Mountain Goats to play two special sets at Hopscotch

The Hopscotch Music Festival has been slowly announcing bands that will make up the massive 2012 lineup, and Tuesday brought a big announcement.

John Darnielle will play two special solo Mountain Goats sets at the Fletcher Opera Theater at the Progress Energy Center. The first will be a set of Mountain Goats rarities and fan favorites that don't typically find their way into the set lists.

The second set is incredibly intriguing. Darnielle will play a set consisting entirely of metal covers, which will possibly be performed almost entirely on the venue's grand piano. At the very least, it will be a unique evening.

Nick Lowe announces spring tour, coming to Raleigh

Acclaimed British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe and his band are hitting the road this spring on a headline tour in support of his latest album The Old Magic, released last fall via Yep Roc Records.

Lowe will play the Fletcher Opera Theater at the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 2. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll let you know once it is. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 2 via the Progress Energy Center box office and Ticketmaster for $35.

[UPDATE: Singer-songwriter Tift Merritt will open the show.]

Stream The Old Magic in its entirety below.

Hopscotch 2011 Day 3: Bombadil & Lost in the Trees at Fletcher Opera Theater

Bombadil photos by Kevin Norris
Lost in the Trees photos by Emily Price

Fletcher Opera Theater was the perfect refuge Saturday night for those looking to wind down a bit at the end of their Hopscotch experience. Bombadil and Lost in the Trees both played captivating sets in what was an ideal venue to showcase both bands.

Bombadil took full advantage of the space's baby grand piano during their portion of the set, opening with a stark piano tune before launching into a set of folk-tinged tunes. The group played several songs off their new album, slated for a November release, including one particularly charming ukulele tune.

Hopscotch 2011 Day 2: Sir Richard Bishop & Swans at Fletcher Opera Theater

All photos by Kevin Norris

The number of great guitarists playing Hopscotch this year is incredible, but if you’re looking for the best one, Sir Richard Bishop should be in the discussion.

Bishop, a solo act, looked slightly odd with just one guitar in front of the massive Swans stage set up, but he showed that's all you really need. The sound from his guitar filled the opera house easily and makes one consider whether any band really needs more than one guitar.

Hopscotch 2011 Day 1: The Necks and J Mascis at Fletcher Opera Theater

All photos by Kevin Norris

Fletcher Opera Theater is the best venue at this year’s Hopscotch. It’s a beautiful space with great sound, sight lines and seats. Add to that a line up that will expose Hopscotchers to a wide variety of incredible acts and it’s tempting to find a seat and say put for three days.

I booked it down Fayetteville Street in time to catch the end of Rhys Chatham and the ensemble he had put together for a rousing end to “Guitar Trio.” There couldn’t have been a better introduction to the acoustics of the opera house.