The Music Freak's Guide to NYE

Just like all big decisions in life, choosing where to ring in 2016 should be based on music.  Raleigh has plenty to offer this New Year's Eve, the tough part will be deciding which acts to see.  Check out our top picks for the most amazing start to 2016.

The Ritz

Thankfully, The Ritz and Live Nation have finally brought EDM to the Triangle.  Disco Donnie presents Brillz to ring in 2016.  We had the great fortune of catching Brillz in Charlotte last month and the show is nothing short of spectacular.  If you're looking for a hype night with electrifying beats, the place to be is The Ritz.  Brillz brings an energy to his performance that will undoubtedly surge through the crowd and will welcome 2016 in an unforgettable way.  The party starts at 8 at the very affordable cost of $20.

The Pour House

The Pour House has done an amazing job of creating a lineup to please all lovers of live music.  With The Love Language, Zack Mexico, Faults, and DJ Clickdat, it's pretty near impossible to not have a memorable night filled with singing, dancing, and great company.  This mixture of unique artists offers an evening of indie rock hits and psych pop beats.  Of course, it wouldn't be a New Year's Eve party without a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  The music begins at 9, doors at 8.

Kings

Kings always knows how to throw together a fun lineup and New Year's Eve is no exception.  The highly creative and energetic TOW3RS will be joined by garage psych band WOOL and Heads on Sticks, creating the perfect recipe for shoulder-poppin' dance moves.  $12 at the door will also get you a champagne toast at midnight.  Doors open at 9 with music starting at 9:30.

 

Lincoln Theatre

Bring in 2016 with a great fusion of funk, rock, and pop with Big Something and Groove Fetish.  Named Best Rising Artist of 2014 by Live Music Daily, Big Something meshes guitar riffs, synths, and horns to provide a party with every song played.  Tickets are $25 and the fun begings at 9.

First Night Raleigh 2016

 
Artsplosure has assembled a great mixture of activities and music for people of all ages for this year's First Night.  The music acts include Johnny Folsom 4, Jonathan Byrd and Sea Gulls.  TOW3RS will also make an appearance at the Vintage Church at 9:30.  Bluegrass punksters Scythian will play both the early countdown from 6-7 and the classic acorn drop at midnight.  There's a lot happening at this event, so be sure to check out the complete schedule at the First Night website. 


Now all you need to worry about is who to kiss at midnight...choose wisely.  Happy start to 2016, folks!

Who's Ready to Groove in the Garden?

On Aug. 22, the Stephenson Amphitheater and Rose Garden will be home to one of the summer’s most diverse and exciting events with Groove in the Garden. Presented by The Pour House Music Hall & Younger Brother Productions, Groove in the Garden is an all-day music marathon that brings together some of the state’s finest artists for an eclectic mixture of sun-soaked indie pop, rustic Southern rock, soulful R&B and rousing bluegrass. The event will take place from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and brings together vendors, food trucks and a wide array of local musicians for a day full of good vibes and good times in one of Raleigh’s most scenic locales. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased at The Pour House Music Hall’s website. 

The Love Language will headline the event, with their dreamy pop aesthetics serving as a perfect aural accompaniment to the stunning visuals of Stephenson Amphitheater. With Bombadil’s quirky folk-pop, the recently reunited alt-country icons Six String Drag, the soulful sounds of Laura Reed, Jack The Radio’s gritty swamp-rock, Nuclear Honey’s Southern roots-rock jams, The Midatlantic’s tight bluegrass and First Person Plural’s dynamic indie rock rounding out the lineup, Aug. 22 will prove to be one of the most invigorating events of the year.

But music won’t be the only thing attendees can enjoy throughout the day, as Groove in the Garden will feature food trucks such as KoKyu, vendors such as House of Swank, and local businesses like Raleigh Cross Fit. Younger Brother Productions and The Pour House have also teamed with Taxi Taxi to provide discounted rides for attendees that purchase their tickets online in advance, helping to bring together local businesses and artists for a wide-scaled community building event for folks of all ages. Organized bike rides with Oaks & Spokes will be happening throughout the day to encourage attendees to be active, take alternative transportation and meet new people. 

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit Younger Brother Productions' and The Pour House's websites.  In the meantime, check out Nuclear Honey's garden tease performance of "Garden Gnome."

*Details courtesy of The Pour House and Younger Brother Productions 

Get "Out of this World" at First Night Raleigh 2015

First Night Raleigh 2015 is "Out of this World" with plenty of activities and performances to support that theme.  The city is providing entertainment for the whole family with animal exhibits, ballroom dancing, and of course, the first night ferris wheel.  The music lineup does not disappoint with local and tour favorites serenading the crowd through the night.

The Brooklyn based Augustines will share their indie alt-rock sounds with the Triangle on the main stage in City Plaza at 10:30.  They are known for their high-energy shows with strong audience interaction, so they are sure to please.
 
The Triangle's own The Love Language will grace the stage at the Contemporary Art Museum at 8.  The Love Language shares the genuinely emotional writing of Stuart McLamb with the support of an equally impressive group of rotating musicians. 

The Barefoot Movement, one of our faves from The Bluegrass Festival, will return for First Night.  Catch this down home bluegrass band gathered around one mic on the City Plaza Main Stage at 6:15 and again at 9 at the Church of the Good Shepard.  

There is an endless list of performances and activities to enjoy at this Artsplosure event, so be sure to check out the official First Night Raleigh 2015 website for a complete schedule. 

Photos courtesy of: firstnightraleigh.com

Attention All Runners

The independent music label, Merge Records, is turning 25 this year.  In collaboration with Bull City Running Co., they are giving to others with the Merge 25K road race.  The hope is to collect donations for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and Habitat for Humanity of Durham and Orange County.  The race will take place on Saturday, March 22.

The course will begin in Chapel Hill where Merge Records first opened its doors and will end in downtown Durham, the label's current home.  Registration is open now and will run through race day.  To enter, go to Sportoften.com, the cost of the race is $85.  Upon registration, racers will receive a free three month MVP membership to MapMyRun mobile app courtesy of MapMyFitness. 


Merge is throwing quite a party for the post race celebration.  This event will take place at Motorco Music Hall in Durham.  Plenty of entertainment will be provided by The Love Language & Vertical Scratchers, Durham's own Bouncing Bulldogs, and DJing by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan.

For additional details about the course map, hotel information, training help, and prizes, check out Merge Record's website.