Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Wye Oak, Versus, Lambchop, Mac McCaughan

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

The Good Graces, The Prisms , Le Weekend

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Zola Jesus, Yo La Tengo, The Mountain Goats

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Miss Eaves, Field Report, Flock of Dimes, The Catch Fire, The Wigg Report

Hopscotch Highlights – Day 2 – Article By Kim Ware

The very best thing about festivals such as Hopscotch is walking in to a random show, not really knowing who you’re about to see, and finding a new favorite band. Enter The Wigg Report, who kicked off Day 2 with a bright and early (noon-fifteen) show at Slim’s. I’m starting to see a theme – walk into Slim’s, unaware of who’s playing there, and proceed to be blown away. If I were to describe the sort of music I like, and someone made me a dream band from the description, that band would probably be The Wigg Report. Think simple, catchy, garage, anti-folk tunes with guy-girl interplay ala Velvet Underground, early Yo La Tengo, or Wussy. Oh, and with saxophone. And a girl with a minimal drum kit that she plays standing up. I’m in love. After their very spirited, inspiring set I was left with a free schedule for a few hours, perfect for just wandering around from club to club.

It was a bit later before I’d finally run into my friends Shirlé and David from the band Free Electric State, who I regretfully had missed yesterday but had been stalking via social media all morning. They happened to mention heading over to see Flock of Dimes, a new project from Wye Oak’s Jenn Wasner. Being a big fan of Wye Oak, I knew I wouldn’t want to miss this so I tagged along, first taking the opportunity to talk to David and Shirlé about their recent move back to their old hometown of Baltimore, their newest record Monumental Life and its underlying themes of life and death, and the recent flock of young bands influenced by the 80s (David and Shirlé were in a great band several years ago called Gerty who did the 80s synth pop thing before it was the hot thing to do). By the time Flock of Dimes took the stage, I was full on under the weather, not a good state to be in while at an out-of-town music festival. Especially not when you’re scheduled to perform the very next day.

Cue the cold meds, pajamas and blankets by 7:30 PM. Yes, I was in bed at 7:30. I did manage to at least hear Built to Spill from my hotel room, conveniently located right by the City Plaza. Score one for good planning from my partner-in-crime Hillery (who took the amazing Hopscotch pics you also see posted here in AMG). Ironically, the last time I had planned to see Built to Spill, back in 2010 in Atlanta, it didn’t quite work out due to a bout with pneumonia. Sorry Mr. Martsch, as much as I love your songs, I guess our paths just aren’t destined to cross up-close and in person. I was hoping to rest up and feel better enough to walk down the street and catch Yo La Tengo later, but that wasn’t in the cards for me either. What was, however, was room service. I treated myself – potstickers, shrimp, even molten chocolate cake. Dare I say for about a half hour I felt a lot better. Being serenaded by The Jesus and Mary Chain just outside didn’t hurt. They sounded amazing, even from my room up on the 12th floor. All in all, though my night ended much earlier than expected, it wasn’t a bad close to my Hopscotch Friday.

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Tom Maxwell, The Liars, Matthew E. White, The Holograms, Gross Ghost, Delicate Steve, & Deer Hoof

Hopscotch Highlights – Day 1

Review by Kim Ware  

Photo Courtesy of Hillery Terenzi

The first rule of attending any music festival such as Hopscotch, a three-day extravaganza in Raleigh, NC, is to make a plan. With so many acts appearing at the same time, it’s best to do the research and make an organized schedule so you don’t miss out on the bands you really want to see. Seems logical, right? But if this is true then the second rule must be throw your schedule out the window. Inevitably, schedules will change, bands will cancel or go on late, the weather will put a damper on the outdoor shows, etc. Or, you might get sick. Take all of the aforementioned possible kinks, throw them in a blender, and you’ve got my Hopscotch 2012 experience. Nevertheless, I did manage to see some amazing shows, catch up with old friends, and even eat some fantastic food.

I arrived in Raleigh for night 1 of the festival a bit tired after a 7-hour drive, but ready for some good music. We picked a great place to start, as the appropriately named Slim’s was kicking off their showcase with a set from former Squirrel Nut Zipper Tom Maxwell. We snagged a perfect spot right at the stage and got our fill of high-energy ragabilly-swing swagger courtesy of Maxwell’s ultra-cool stage presence and a super tight band that featured the best vibes player I’ve ever seen. Seriously a joy to watch. I admit I had never been a huge fan of the Zippers or the throwback trend that they, with help from the movie Swingers (ironically one of my favorite movies), seemed to be largely responsible for. But Mr. Maxwell, I’m now a convert. From the first note, I don’t think I stopped smiling. I particularly appreciated Maxwell’s snarky attitude and tendency to make fun of himself, evident in the very fun “Why I Smoke” off last year’s Kingdom Come (note to self, pick that one up).

We scooted out near the end of Maxwell’s set so we could make it to Berkley Café just in time to catch Gross Ghost, a Triangle-area outfit led by singer/guitarist Mike Dillon. Dillon and company served up some catchy tunes that merged that Chapel Hill indie rock sound with a hint of Brit-rock influence (particularly in Dillon’s vocals). Gross Ghost played to a full house and not only provided me the second wind I so desperately needed, but also set the bar very high for the rest of the festival.

I was destined to be let down I suppose, as the next band I’d hear over at White Collar Crime left much to be desired and had me wishing I had remembered earplugs (surely the third rule of festival-going). Seemed like the perfect time to venture over to a local bar with a television and check out our POTUS, so that’s just what I did. Bonus—said bar (Brewmasters) served the best BLT I’ve ever had. Double bonus—the bartender offered me a sample of their candied bacon. Yes, candied bacon is as perfect as it sounds. I made a mental note to return to Brewmasters again during my stay in Raleigh, but in keeping with rule number two (throwing plans out the window), I didn’t make it back.

Back over at White Collar Crime, Delicate Steve was set to take the stage. Disclaimer: I don’t care for what I like to call “guitar wankery.” I like simple songs, with simple structures and catchy vocal melodies that you can sing along to. Delicate Steve are not that. Instead, they lean more towards the “guitar wankery” spectrum. But they are also completely mind-blowingly awesome. There’s nary a vocal melody to speak of, but instead there’s intricate guitar interplay and jaw-dropping solos, anchored by explosive, tribal-like drumming courtesy of Mike Duncan (who deserves just as much credit as the guitarists—easily one of the best drummers I’ve heard in a while). It’s always refreshing (but more and more rare, these days) to hear a group of musicians who are clearly masters of their instruments, not to mention the fact that their music is unlike anything else I’ve ever heard—a combination of prog, world music, classic rock, and other genres that either don’t have a name yet or I’m simply unfamiliar with. An unexpected surprise for sure and a nice ending to my short but enjoyable first night in Raleigh. (Read more about Delicate Steve in my interview with the band’s guitarist and founder Steve Marion).

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…

Photos by Hillery Terenzi

Full Gallery after the jump…