Preview: Hopscotch Music Festival gears up for 14th year

Beginning today, one of Raleigh’s biggest music events of the year will begin in multiple venues downtown — the Hopscotch Music Festival.

A yearly event since 2010, with the exception of 2020, Hopscotch is a three-day celebration of music, club shows, local vendors and comedy.  This year's festival features artists like JPEGMAFIA, Faye Webster, Indigo De Souza, and more. 

According to Mike Caulo, Hopscotch’s publicist, the festival is user-friendly, making for easy access to all its ins and outs. 

The festival centers around what they call ‘Wristband City,' located at 98 Market Plaza. From there, all their club shows and the two main stages, City Plaza and Moore Square, are just a hop, skip and a jump away. 

“I think that’s why it’s called Hopscotch,” Caulo said. “You can really choose your own adventure and hop around and all that.”

Designed for all ages and with a schedule that allows festival-goers to see as many shows as they please, Hopscotch sets itself apart and removes the sense of intimidation that can be common with big-time music festivals. 

They even have their own app for navigation, artist info, FAQs and building a personal schedule, allowing patrons to know where they want to be and when. 

Peter Holsapple of The dBs, one of the renowned bands performing at Hopscotch, said they were excited to be back at this year. The alt-rock group played at Hopscotch previously in 2012, after reuniting in 2005. 

Having played in venues around Durham and Carrboro before as a N.C. local, Holsapple said he was looking forward to taking the main stage at Hopscotch with the band.

“We’re playing Saturday, at the Moore Square stage at 3:15p.m., and there’s a lot of great stuff going on that Saturday.” Holsapple said. 

Saturday at Hopscotch will also feature Amélie Rousseaux, more popularly known as Sofia Bolt. A French-born songwriter and musician, Rousseaux will be playing at City Plaza at 3 p.m..

Rousseaux said she is excited to be playing on a main stage at Hopscotch and to also see some of her own friends performing throughout the festival. She also said that she's excited to play in front of a new audience. 

“I have the opportunity to play in front of a new crowd, and that’s what's great about festivals,” Rousseaux said. “You know, the reach is broader.”

This reach has grown increasingly over the years. Originating as a heavy metal festival, Hopscotch has since grown to present an all-encompassing lineup, including anywhere from international artists to artists at a local level. 

This year, the festival will showcase artists from Durham, Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh, Wilmington, and beyond. They’ll be playing on the main stages or at the club shows and parties around downtown, some of which are free to enter. 

“Most of it’s free and open to the public or donation-based,” Caulo said. “You should consider going just in the afternoons, because a lot of the artists that play in the evenings, especially the local ones, usually have a day show as well somewhere.”

Made by people who love music for people who love music, Hopscotch looks to continue its reputation of being one of the most popular music festivals in North Carolina. 

So if you're going, bring your water, sunscreen, emergency rain poncho and most importantly — have fun!

For more information on Hopscotch, their website can be found at hopscotchmusicfest.com.

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com