96Rock becomes Radio 96.1, ditches DJs

In a sudden change this week, local rock radio mainstay 96Rock has re-branded itself as Radio 96.1, touting a new slogan of "more music. less blah, blah, blah." That means that the station is getting rid of DJs, including longtime fixture Bob "The Blade" Robinson (check out some quotes from The Blade in the N&O piece about this).

The station now says that it will be playing a more diverse selection of music from the 1980s to the present as well as more classic rock. Many listeners lashed out yesterday on the station's official Facebook page, which has since been deleted.

If you're a regular 96Rock listener, let us know what you think of the change by leaving comment. Personally, we still miss the pre-Rooster, pre-Rush Limbaugh 106.1 WRDU.

The Features announce winter tour, coming to Chapel Hill

Tennessee indie pop band The Features released their third full-length album Wilderness in July. In early 2012 they'll hit the road on a southern tour which will bring them to the Triangle.

They'll play Local 506 in Chapel on Wednesday, January 18. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $8. Girl in a Coma will open the show.

Stream the single raucous, catchy "Rambo" from Wilderness below.

Trekky Records Collective to play Carrboro in December

In lieu of the annual Trekky Records Christmas at the Cradle event at the Cat's Cradle, this year a collective of Trekky Records artists and friends will gather at the opposite end of the shopping center at the ArtsCenter.

The collective will feature members of Bowerbirds, Butterflies, Embarrassing Fruits, Hammer No More the Fingers, Lost in the Trees, Megafaun, Midtown Dickens, Mount Moriah, Vibrant Green and some other special guests.

The show will be on Thursday, December 15. Tickets are just $6 in advance via Etix.

Blind Pilot announces 2012 dates, coming to Carrboro

Photo by Ben Moon

Portland indie folk band Blind Pilot rolled through the Triangle with their new album We Are the Tide in October, stopping at Duke University with Local Natives. Now the band has announced their tour for early 2012 and are coming back this way.

They'll play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Tuesday, February 21. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $15.

Download the song "Keep You Right" from We Are the Tide via the widget below. Also, check out a performance of the album's closing track, "New York," below as well.

Merle Haggard announces 2012 tour, coming to Greensboro

Country music legend Merle Haggard is still going strong at 74 years old. He released a new album titled Working in Tennessee in October and will hit the road to support it in 2012.

The tour will stop at the War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro on Saturday, April 14. Ticket info is not available yet, but we'll keep you posted. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster outlets for $37.50, $44.50 or $57.50.

Check out the jaunty title track from Working in Tennessee below.