Hopscotch Music Festival announces 2015 day parties

The 2015 Hopscotch Music Festival is just three weeks away and the festival has just announced the usual smorgasbord of day parties, including two big ones presented by Etix and Squarespace.

The first big day party on Friday, September 11, will feature OBNOX, Loud Boyz, Pie Face Girls and Bodykit at CAM Raleigh from noon to 5 p.m.

The second one on Saturday, September 12, will feature two stages at the intersection of Fayetteville and Davie Streets. The Salisbury Street Stage will feature Dead Tongues, Skylar Gudasz, Michael Rault and Canine Heart Sounds. The Wilmington Street Stage will feature T0W3RS, Jenny Besetzt and Astro Cowboy. There will also be more that 40 vendors present at the Hopscotch Makers Market and as well as the Hoopscotch event.

The Old Ceremony to ring in new year in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill rock club Local 506 has been teasing their big New Year's Eve show on their website for a few weeks tell folks to wait for the big announcement. Now we know that local favorites The Old Ceremony will be ringing in 2015 at the club on Wednesday, December 31, with Skylar Gudasz.

Tickets for the big show will go on sale at noon on Thursday, November 14, via Ticketfly for $15.

As we first told you about almost a year ago, The Avett Brothers will be hosting their own big New Year's Eve shindig at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. We'll bring you a comprehensive list of New Year's Eve happenings in the Triangle in the coming weeks.

All-star lineup to bring Big Star's 'Third' back to the Cradle

Photo by Kevin Norris

Back in 2010 Chris Stamey set out on an ambitious mission to bring Big Star's experimental and incredibly influential album Third to life at the Cat's Cradle with an all-star band and an orchestra. Those lucky enough to witness the shows at the Cradle or the few that happened elsewhere were treated to a truly special evening of music (see a review and photos of the debut night at the Cat's Cradle HERE).

Those who missed out will have another chance next month with an added bonus. This time, Stamey and friends will also perform Big Star's first album, #1 Record, in its entirety. The event is part of the Southern Folklife Festival, which celebrates 25 years of the Southern Folklife Collection at UNC.

Loamlands show off sharpened set at the Cat's Cradle back room

Photos by Justin Weber

After a nearly two-month tour opening for bands Mirah and The Mountain Goats, Loamlands had a homecoming at the Cat’s Cradle back room with friends Skylar Gudasz and The Dead Tongues.

Skylar Gudasz began the night with six song set that showed off her voice. The singer/songwriter started out on guitar and moved to piano, but the instruments were clearly secondary to her rich vocals. The sparse songs (presumably from her upcoming full length album, Oleander) showcased her talents as a singer, but the songs themselves wouldn’t be as interesting in the hands of another performer.

That changed when Josh Moore joined Gudasz on stage for a duet on “Car Song.” The harmonies and the incredibly slow tempo create a current that’s easy to get swept up in.

Hopscotch announces six canceled performers, eight additions

As we've come expect over since the beginning of the Hopscotch Music Festival, when you're bringing so many bands to one place at one time, there are bound to be a few cancellations and last minute changes.

This year six performers have had to pull out of the festival for reasons ranging from health issues and visa problems. Those six are XXYYXX, Loincloth, Riton, Double Negative, Foot Village and Ex Cops.

On the bright side, eight bands have been added to the festival to fill those spots as well as a couple of other spots. The additions are Mykki Blanco, Gent & Jawns, Vattnet Viskar, Hunters, Sannhet, Moon King, Brett Harris, and Skylar Gudasz.

Locally Grown series back to Franklin Street for summer 2012

Now in its fifth year, the Locally Grown Music and Movie Series is back for another summer of free rooftop entertainment. The series is held on top of the Wallace parking deck at 150 E. Franklin St., Sutton's and other businesses on Franklin Street.

The series kicks off on Thursday, June 28, with Lizzy Ross Band, Mary Johnson Rockers & The Spark, and Birds & Arrows. Mount Moriah and Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls will take the rooftop on July 26, and Mipso Trio and Morning Brigade will perform on August 23. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and movies at 8 p.m. Concerts will also feature a beer garden and food from Franklin Street eateries.

The full series, including movies, is below.

This week's Local Band Local Beer: Luego & Skylar Gudasz & the Ugly Girls

It's Thursday (November 10), so as always, there will be a another great free Local Band Local Beer show tonight at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh.

This week's show will feature a some pop rock from Luego and folk/alt-country from Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls. Check out a smorgasbord of songs from Luego via the first widget below and the entire 7-song album, Two Headed Monster, from Skylar Gudasz and the Ugly Girls via the second widget.

As always, the music will start around 10 p.m. and the show is ages 21 and up.