Hopscotch Night 3: Boulevards seizes the moment as Hopscotch comes to an end

All photos by Kevin Norris

After six years, Hopscotch finally defeated me. By the time Saturday rolled around, I was dragging and for the first time I cut back on the shows I planned to attend. With my most anticipated artist, Owen Pallet, canceling for a family emergency and one in, one out situation at nearly every Moore Square area venue, I focused on catching a select few musicians.

Dwight Yoakam is one of the most intriguing headliners Hopscotch has every booked. Seeing his name on the lineup invokes a “Whoa. Really?” that sends one brain into a dance to reconcile how strange and awesome it was all at once. Yoakam did not disappoint, despite some early technical issues. There were sparkling sport coats, big cowboy hats and boots, but this wasn’t a night of country at Walnut Creek. Yoakam’s music appeals to a general audience, but he keeps his roots in country and rock and roll without kowtowing to Nashville’s pop influence.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor, TV on the Radio, Dwight Yoakam to headline Hopscotch

The Hopscotch Music Festival, returning to downtown Raleigh for a sixth year on Sept. 10-12, has announced its long-awaited lineup with nearly 140 bands and performers.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor will take the City Plaza stage to kick things off with Deerhunter on Thursday, Sept. 10. TV on the Radio, Tycho, and Carlitta Durand will follow suit on Friday, with Dwight Yoakam, X, American Aquarium, the The Vibekillers closing it down Saturday night.

Owen Pallett will serve as this year's Improviser-in-Residence, headlining at Fletcher Opera Theater on Saturday and joining others for their performances on Thursday and Friday.

Dwight Yoakam announces winter dates, coming to Durham

Veteran country singer-songwriter and part-time actor Dwight Yoakam will be out on the road with country superstar Eric Church this winter opening dates on his winter tour. Yoakam will play a few headline shows between the arena dates, including a newly added show in the Triangle.

Yoakam will play the Carolina Theatre in Durham on Wednesday, December 10. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 24, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster for $47 to $112. The venue pre-sale started at 10 a.m. today, October 21.