Hopscotch 2015 Night 1: Mac McCaughan, Bully & Battles shine after the rain

All photos by Kevin Norris

Walking into City Plaza on Thursday night, there was an uncertainty in the air. Dark clouds threatened rain and storms, an e-cigarette brand hawked its vapor to concert goers, and Ought was getting ready to take the stage in place of Deerhunter, one of the several bands who had to cancel their trips or couldn’t make it to North Carolina. It seemed foreboding. Would this be the year that Hopscotch failed to live up its reputation?

Ought proved a suitable replacement and a first step towards reassurance. The charming Canadians stuttering post-punk slowly built. Early on, jagged rhythms felt carefully designed and Tim Beeler’s vocals felt almost matter-of-fact in tone, but by the end of their set they let loose into a climax that felt spontaneous. Beeler’s friendly banter between songs warmed a cool audience that at times still seemed disappointed at Deerhunter’s absence.

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.

Nine Inch Nails announces new album, fall tour

Trent Reznor has announced the release of the new Nine Inch Nails album, Hesitation Marks, which will be released on September 3. He'll take the band on a big North American tour this fall which will make a stop in the Triangle.

Nine Inch Nails will play PNC Arena in Raleigh on Monday, October 21. Godspeed You! Black Emperor will open. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 21, via the venue box office and Ticketmaster.

Check out the song "Came Back Haunted" from Hesitation Marks below.

Godspeed You! Black Emperor announces fall tour, coming to Carrboro

Canadian post rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, who ended a seven-year hiatus in 2010, are hitting the road again this fall to play shows across the eastern half of the United States.

The band will stop at the Cat's Cradle on Thursday, October 4. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9 via Etix for $22.

Check out a video of the band performing the song "Moya" at the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival in in the UK in 2010 below.