Hopscotch 2011 Day 3: The Caribbean at Tir Na Nog, Shit Horse at Slim's & Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Five Star

All photos by Kevin Norris

While The Flaming Lips played in City Plaza, D.C.-based The Caribbean took the stage to play to an empty Tir na Nog.

The venue was shockingly empty – two people stood in the stage area of the bar – but the band was gracious and professional and handled the situation as best as they could.

It was obvious their hearts weren’t into their performance, but one can’t blame them. It would be unfair to judge The Caribbean based on this performance.

October line-up of Local Beer Local Band at Tir Na Nog

October has finally brought North Carolina some cooler weather and it's also time for another month of free Local Beer Local Band shows at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh presented by WKNC.

Things will kick off on Oct. 7 with an Odessa Records showcase featuring Wild Wild Geese, Wesley Wolfe and Shit Horse.

Other bands throughout the month include The Honored Guests, Brett Harris, Mount Moriah, Old Bricks and A Rooster For the Masses. Check out the full October schedule below.

WKNC has also released a digital compilation album featuring a track from each of the bands scheduled to play Local Beer Local Band this fall. Check that out here.

The Love Language dazzle sold out Cat's Cradle crowd

Saturday night belonged to The Love Language. Celebrating the release of their sophomore album Libraries, released on Tuesday, the band took the Cat's Cradle stage in front of a sold out crowd and played the show of their lives (so far).

Stu opened with a quick thank you to everyone who has supported the band over the past couple years and launched into a quick solo cover of The Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year," leading directly into "Horophones" and a non-stop barrage of sweet pop tunes.

The band were joined by two cellists and a violinist from Lost in the Trees for the song "Summer Dust," which propelled the song to soaring highs. They then tore through the dance-tastic tune "Heart To Tell."