Music
Ten Local Songs We Loved in 2025 (And One for the New Year)
A non-comprehensive list of songs that stuck with us this year, with releases from Triangle artists like Reese McHenry, Jooselord, Tre. Charles, Joseph Decosimo, and more.
Durham Duo Viv & Riley’s New Collaboration Has “Sleepover Energy”
Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno join collaborator Rachel Baiman as kissing other ppl for a new experimental album of folk covers and October 5 show at The Pinhook.
Solomon Fox, IRL
The Durham native’s absurd Instagram videos have garnered praise from the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. But as he rolls out his first solo album in four years, going viral is one of the last things on Solomon Fox’s mind.
Rebirth of the Cool
Talking with Art of Cool cofounder Cicely Mitchell about the upcoming Missy Lane’s Block Party—a years-in-the-making tribute to jazz, Durham, and do-overs.
Indie Legacy Acts, Erudite Pop-Rock, and a Little Bit of Doom Metal: What to See at This Year’s Hopscotch
Hopscotch Music Festival is back Sept. 4-6 for its 15th go-round in downtown Raleigh.
Tift Merritt, a True North Carolina Gem, Still Has Plenty of Material to Mine
When Merritt was asked to look back through her archives for a 20th anniversary reissue of “Tambourine,” she found a version of herself—and her music—that she loved and recognized.
Joseph Decosimo Makes Old-Time Music That Brings People Together
To make the rich, responsive release “Fiery Gizzard,” the Durham folklorist and musician enlisted a group of friends far and wide for a generative collaboration.
LesTheGenius and Ricky Ricardo’s In-State Intuition
With Raleighwood Fest 2025, the founders of the homegrown, Carolina-first music festival are dreaming bigger while doubling down on their roots.
How the Blue Note Grill Keeps Its Rhythm In a Changing City
The landscape around the Durham grill—home to a mélange of dancers, barbecue lovers, and musicians—has changed drastically over the past fifteen years. But the music hasn’t stopped playing.
My Morning Jacket; Earl Sweatshirt to Headline 2025 Hopscotch Lineup
The fifteenth annual Hopscotch will take place in downtown Raleigh, September 4-6, with a mix of local acts like Superchunk and Fust and far-flung acts like Yeule and Nilüfer Yanya.
On New Watchhouse Album, Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin Lean Into Rituals
Below the serene, warm surface of “Rituals,” Watchhouse has put out another album filled with rich experimentation and boundary-pushing creativity.
“Rock Popera” Musician Mad Gallica Guides Audiences Through the Vortex
Two years after leaving the Swedish heavy metal band Ghost, the Wilmington musician is bringing her fever dream symphonies to the stage. She plays in Raleigh on June 19.
What’s Up With the Psychic Hotline Mailroom?
A Durham record label keeps an open line with fans at its modest Holland Street pop-up—record store, retail shop, and collaborative creative nucleus, all in one.
“Somehow, Fiddles and Banjos Have Become a Genuine Economic Driver”: New Festival Announces Details
Raleigh Wide Open’s debut festival, held downtown October 3-4, will feature 35 free shows across six stages.
In its 55th Year Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival Remains a Source of Jubilation
Community, crafts, and music drew a crowd of 6,000 to Rock Quarry Park for Durham’s lively annual celebration of African and African American history.
On Political Protest Album “Is This America?” a Durham Musician Seeks to Meet the Moment
With songs like “King Trump” and “Misinformation Disinformation,” Duncan Christy says he hopes to draw attention to events unfolding at the White House and beyond.
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