Hopscotch Day 3: The Love Language, No Age & Public Enemy

Public Enemy
All photos by Emily Price

Raleigh natives The Love Language kicked off the main stage show on the last night of Hopscotch to a decent sized crowd that, unfortunately, seemed generally unenthusiastic. The group performed an absolutely fantastic, highly energetic set, playing an even mix of songs from their July release, Libraries, and last year's self-titled LP.

For their last song, the band turned to the crowd for a request, and after a few moments of shouts from the audience, they settled on "Blue Angel." It began to drizzle as frontman Stu McLamb sang the first line, appropriately enough, but most of the rain held off until later in the evening. Their excellent forty minute set came to an end entirely too soon.

The Hopcotch Music Festival line-up is here!

The big news is in! The massive 10-venue Hopscotch Music Festival organized by The Independent Weekly, coming to downtown Raleigh on Sept. 9, 10 and 11, has announced the bulk of its line-up, including some big headliners.

The big events will take place in City Plaza on Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night's headliners will be Broken Social Scene and Panda Bear along with The Rosebuds. Saturday night's headliner is iconic rap group Public Enemy backed by a full band. No Age and The Love Language are also on the bill that night.

That alone is insane, but it's much bigger than that. There will be shows each night spread across 8 blocks. The venues are the aforementioned City Plaza, The Berkley Cafe, Deep South Bar, Five Star, The Hive at Busy Bee, Kings (at it's new location on Martin Street), Lincoln Theatre, The Pour House, Slim's and Tir Na Nog.