Hopscotch was a favorite child’s game of mine. I used to skip from one number to another number on one foot. I had the pleasure going to a fantastic music festival with all performance venues/acts concentrated in downtown Raleigh. This 3 day festival is aptly named HOPSCOTCH! http://hopscotchmusicfest.com/

Fans can literally just hop and skip to see multiple acts one after another after another just a block or two apart !

This is Hopscotch’s 7th year throwing one of the most fun and eclectic music festivals in the nation. This year over 20,000 fans can expect to see 120 regional and national artists/bands in various downtown clubs and theaters. Some acts are even performing at the CAM art museum. We spent 9 straight hours Friday taking in as much of the festival that we could! For the first time in festival history they utilized The Red Hat Ampitheatre for Friday night. The weather was warm and sultry. In other words..PERFECT!

The festival’s “wristband city” was set up inside the Raleigh Convention center. Attendees went there to pick up their wristbands and visit various sponsor booths and view some eclectic modern art pieces.

The soul blues rocker himself, Gary Clark Jr performed a great set. He is an amazing guitarist and vocalist that reminds one of past soul rock greats.

Up next was the headliner, the amazing Ms. Erykah Badu. She blessed the fans with an extended set which included her playful banter and many of her great hits. Fans delighted in her spiritual energy and unique force of her voice.

Unlike most music festivals that are centered around one genre of music, Hopscotch defies that norm. Artists here perform almost every genre one could imagine. From Bluegrass and country to New Orleans own gender bending self proclaimed “Queen Of Bounce”, Big Freedia.

Freedia performed a late night/early morning set at the famous Lincoln Theatre venue. The crowd was diverse and full of bounce energy. Big Freedia and her crew gave what can only be descibes as a “COLORFUL” performance ! See the IG video below, which clearly verifies my description of her performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKKcTDzjytz/

Artists perform indoors at various clubs and music venues that fans must have a paid wristband to enter but some acts perform in open air city plaza downtown where anyone can just hang out and vibe to the unique welcoming atmosphere that Hopscotch is known for.

Fans can opt to purchase one day wristbands, which gives you access to all venues and Red Hat on Friday night or for a real deal, buy a 3 day band to enjoy everything and everyone the festival has to offer.

Check out this link for the official schedule: http://hopscotchmusicfest.com/schedule/

They also have a fantastic App for the festival where you can build your own custom schedule of acts you want to see. Get in in the Google Play Store for Android or in Apple App Store.

You still have a few hours to enjoy the fest..See ya next year !!