Hopscotch Music Fesitival jumps into downtown Raleigh feet first

By Patrick Kirk, Chronicle staff

RALEIGH – Anyone who has been in Downtown Raleigh lately has seen the hopscotch courts on the sidewalks and buildings. No this isn’t the work of a child, it was the sign of the largest music festival to ever come to Raleigh. Hopscotch Music Festival, hosted by The Independent, came to Raleigh September 9-11, bringing 120 national, international, and local artists to 10 different venues downtown.

The venues were:

• Raleigh City Plaza
• The Lincoln Theatre
• Berkeley’s Café

• Kings (18+)
• Five Star (18+)
• Tir Na Nog (21+)
• The Hive @ The Busy Bee (21+)
• Slim’s (21+)
• Deep South (21+)
• Pour House (21+)

The local record label, Church Key Records, hosted day parties, with live music, live chats with some of the artists and some big name authors, and even a free concert NC Symphony.

Public Enemy @ Hopscotch (Photo courtesy Jim Green)

There were some big name artists playing at the festival like the legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy, as well as Panda Bear, which is only playing one other show in the U.S. this year. There were a wide variety of music genres at this festival, almost any you can imagine.

This was the first EVER Hopscotch festival. The Independent spent $350,000 to host this event.

Did you go to Hopscotch? If so, tell us what you thought! Leave a comment on this story, or email contact.the.chronicle@gmail.com!