Hopscotch 2011 Day 2: Pepper Rabbit at Five Star, Wembley at The Union

All photos by Emily Price

Fresh off the release of their latest album, Red Velvet Snowball, Los Angeles-based Pepper Rabbit packed fans into the bar area at Five Star Friday evening for an energetic set. I only arrived in time to see the last few songs of the set, but the crowd seemed nearly entranced by the duo's synth pop.

Across the Warehouse district, Wembley fans at The Union were a little more low key as the Hillsborough four-piece played a set laced with dreamy, piano-driven tunes as well as more upbeat ones, such as "(Did You Give Him His) Pills," off their EP, You Are Invisible. Though it had been a couple years since I'd seen the group live, their set reminded me why memory has always looked up on them favorably.

Hopscotch 2011 Day 2: John Vanderslice at Berkeley Cafe & Hospitality at The Union

All photos by Kevin Norris

During night two of Hopscotch, troubadour John Vanderslice took the stage at the Berkeley Cafe for a rousing solo set.

The opening lines of "Trance Manual" received a hearty cheer from the receptive crowd. He seemed to be in good spirits and asked that the venue's disco ball be turned on, which added a bit of sparkle to the fairly drab room.

He launched into "Pale Horse," prefaced by saying it is a "call to arms" written after George W. Bush was elected to his second term in 2004. After that killer performance, I left the venue to explore more music the festival had to offer.

Hopscotch 2011 Day 1: Cassis Orange at The Union & Invisible Hand at Deep South

All photos by Kevin Norris

Carrboro-based Cassis Orange kicked off the Hopscotch festivities at The Union Thursday night with a fun, energy-packed set. Though they battled some technical difficulties early on (lead singer Autumn Ehinger joked that she felt like Ashlee Simpson on Saturday Night Live), the band was a big hit with the crowd with their sometimes dreamy, often driving pop songs.

Down the street at Deep South the Bar, Invisible Hand wasn't shy to crank the volume and rock out. Fans packed in to the front of the room to watch frontman Adam Smith and guitarist Jon Bray thrash about the cramped stage.

Check out photos from both sets below.

Hospitality signs with Merge, playing Hopscotch

New York quartet Hospitality have just become the latest band to join the Merge Records family. The label will release the band's debut album in early 2012. Get a taste of the album early by downloading or streaming the groovy song "Friends of Friends" from the album via the SoundCloud widget below.

The band will be playing the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh on Friday, September 9. Their set will be at The Union at 12:30 a.m., so stop by and check them out.

2011 Hopscotch Festival adds 14 bands, 1 venue & rolls out schedule

Titus Andronicus

The Hopscotch Music Festival has added 14 new bands to the 2011 lineup, bringing the total performers up to 150.

The new additions are Titus Andronicus, Times New Viking, Vivian Girls, Coliseum, White Ring, Pepper Rabbit, Bass Drum of Death, Diamond Rings, Xray Eyeballs, D-Town Brass, The Hairs, Brain Flannel, North Elementary and Temperance League.

Tvek was originally scheduled to perform, but has had to cancel their tour including the Hopscotch performance due to a family wedding.