Hopscotch Music Festival brings together music lovers, skaters and more
Jpegmafia performs at Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, NC on Sept. 5, 2024.
On Thursday afternoon, the streets of downtown Raleigh were shut down in anticipation of the 14th annual Hopscotch Music Festival, set to host thousands over three days of music, food and festivity.
“It’s my favorite season, favorite weekend in Raleigh,” Paul Wojoski, a volunteer stationed at the edge of City Plaza on Thursday evening, said.
As Wojoski spoke, guitar riffs silenced a cheering crowd. Indie artist Snail Mail started singing “Pristine,” her crisp tone ringing through the cool, September air.
The festival was in full swing.
Wojoski said that as a huge music fan, this festival is exactly what he loves. With over 100 bands slated over three days, there was room for a variety of genres. Snail Mailheadlined on Thursday at City Plaza, while eight minutes away at Moore Square, rapper JPEGMAFIA drew mosh pits of fans.
Jpegmafia performs at Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, NC on Sept. 5, 2024.
The artists jolted energy into downtown Raleigh. Audience members had the opportunity to roam the sponsored activities such as spin the wheel and cornhole. With many restaurants in the immediate area, including Rye Bar and Southern Kitchen as well as Chido Taco. Cricket, a festival goer said that they enjoyed being able to spread out and explore Raleigh.
Cricket and another audience member, Vick,both said that Hopscotch was recommended to them by a friend.
“I don’t know a lot of bands, but I figured [Hopscotch] would be a good way to see some new music,” Vick said.
Additional venues such as Nash Hall, Kings and Neptunes hosted local bands and other acts such as comedy sets and experimental DJs.
Wojoski said that local involvement is important when it comes to a successful Hopscotch.
“A lot of the bands curated are North Carolina bands and the organizers do a good job pulling local talent as well as national talent,” Wojoski said.
The dB’s, an alternative rock and indie band that originated in Winston-Salem, N.C., played at Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, N.C. on Sept. 7, 2024. The band includes bassist Gene Holder, drummer Will Rigby, and Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, who are both singers, songwriters, and guitarists.
Festival goers also participated in day parties, often sponsored by local restaurants, and daily competitions hosted by Skate Raleigh.
Mike Forno, one of the DJs for the Skate Raleigh competitions, was set up on Martin Street in front of Neptunes. This was Skate Raleigh’s second year participating in Hopscotch. The group offered festival-goers a different experience than just listening to featured festival artists.
The street was blocked off for the weekend and half-pipes were set up down the middle of the pavement. Behind the competition set-up, the DJ booth blared music.
Specifically, some of the skaters brought their own playlists while others brought an idea, or a theme, that embodied their skate set that they asked the DJs to bring to life.
From rock songs by the Grateful Dead to reggae, the three days of the skating competition — and the festival — were filled with different flavors and visions.
Forno said that a skate park is often centered around bringing people together, and Skate Raleigh is no exception.
“It’s great to see lots of different ages and everybody out here enjoying [Skate Raleigh],” Forno said. “The competitions are great, people really show up and give support to the community.”
Skate Raleigh was open to everyone, and it offered opportunities to skaters who might not have another place to display their wheeled talent, as well as opportunities to contribute their own music preferences in a jam-packed festival lineup.
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Besides Snail Mail and JPEGMAFIA, other artists took their turns on stage, playing to an energetic audience. On Friday night, indie artist Faye Webster performed, and on Saturday, rock artist St. Vincent headlined to conclude the festival.
Faye Webster performs at City Plaza for Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh, N.C. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024.
Chelsea Williams, a first-time volunteer, was influenced by her brother who volunteered at last year’s festival, to work at Hopscotch this year. Growing up in the area, Williams said that she was always interested in the event, but never got the chance to attend until now.
“I feel like Hopscotch brings a really cool energy to the city and is just eclectic that we’re this smallish city, but we still host a music festival that brings biggish names and brings so many people out,” Williams said.
