Another year, another great Hopscotch.

I haven’t been too active shooting the last year, due a couple of surgeries and associated recoveries, but wouldn’t miss this great Raleigh event. Flaming Lips brought their incredible stage show back to City Plaza, some amazing funk bands got me dancing (Nile Rodgers and Chic, The Revolution (as in, “Prince and the”), and hometown hero Boulevards), Skeletonwitch had me head banging, and MC50 kicked out the jams. And that was just for starters. I only saw and photographed about half what I planned, due to a bad cold in the days leading up to the festival. Even only half a Hopscotch is still so fun.

My biggest regret this year was missing most of the day parties. These are often my favorite part of the festival, but this year, doctor followups, the lingering cold, the heat, and poor planning would result in me only catching a few. As far as poor planning goes, the long lines to get into venues meant I missed some favorites. Luckily I was able to see/hear 6 String Drag from the neighboring parking lot because Slim’s line was down the block. I also had moments where I really regretted I was photographing the festival, as I rushed off from incredible sets to get photos on the other stage. I really regret missing all of Nile Rodgers’ set at Red Hat. Legend.

Not as many discoveries for me this time, but I loved what I saw of NC band Patois Counselors and visiting (from Ohio) act Skeletonwitch (a photographer’s dream to shoot). Some of my favorite local bands put on terrific sets before large crowds (Boulevards at Red Hat, HC McEntire at City Plaza, and Sarah Shook and the Disarmers at Lincoln).