Here is the second part of our celebration of the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill music scene. Again, the list is not ranked. For part one, check here.
The Eye-Opener at BCHQ – August 2, 2008
A few of BCHQ’s board members work on a project to promote transgender awareness across the globe, specifically focusing on the Hijra communities in India. To help the cause locally, they put together a day-long festival in a sticky August day that included a bevvy of local artists (Mount Moriah, Des Ark, Megafaun, Embarrassing Fruits, etc.) and a vegan brunch. But the best moment of the day came at the end when the Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle gave the best endorsement ever of his current hometown. His numbers might be a little bit off, but someone in Durham needs to hire him to promote the city.
Two-thirds of Megafaun and all of Bowerbids sing with the Rosebuds' Kelly Crisp at NC Rocks for Change. Photo by Andrew Hibbard
The Triangle played host to plenty of great music events in 2008, drawing names like the Silver Jews, Wilco, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Spoon. But there was also a rich local music scene. Unranked but in chronological order, here are some of 2008′s best moments in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area.
The Dodos & Megafaun at BCHQ – March 28, 2008
This San Francisco duo on Frenchkiss had a huge year in 2008, topping several year-end lists. But the fact that they stopped at BCHQ instead of 506 or the Cradle was a power move for the small venue. To boot, the Dodos followed Silje Nes and Megafaun was the last to play. The Durham trio might not have been headlining, but playing last makes it seem like they were. Regardless, it was still a great show.
Arcade Fire and Superchunk Rock for Obama – May 2, 2008
It’s no secret that Mac McCaughan is an Obama fan. So when 90s Chapel Hill rockers Superchunk joined up with the Arcade Fire to put on a free show right before the North Carolina primary, it was a huge deal. In part, because Arcade Fire only played a handful of shows in 2008. But also because Superchunk shows are a special treat whenever they come–and Superchunk’s awesome kids stole the show. (more…)
Pitchfork called on some of the most notorious artists in music to assemble their own top 10 lists for 2008. The lists are varied, with some surprising picks. Justin Vernon, an ex-pat of the Triangle, included Raleigh bands Bowerbirds and the Rosebuds plus Vernon’s former DeYarmond Edison bandmates now know as Megafaun from Durham.
But by far the best list comes from Destroyer‘s Dan Bejar. It’s probably better to call the list top 10 Dan Bejar probably liked:
5. Cat Power: Jukebox (The band is really really good, the production super-classy, and I’m really starting to get into her singing, the way she throws her voice around, you know, like Bob Dylan…people say this is too adult contemporary or something, but to me that’s just code word for “70s”…don’t really like a lot of the songs, but whatever…)
6. Sun Kil Moon: April
Haven’t heard it, but I generally enjoy this man’s work.
A well researched list indeed. As a side note, in the four pages of lists, not a single artist mentioned Bejar’s Trouble in Dreams from 2008.
After Superchunk and Arcade Fire rocked Carrboro for the North Carolina primaries, it is only fitting that the Obama campaign provide Triangle residents with another show for the election. Designed to promote voter turnout on the last day of the swing state’s early voting, Saturday’s NC Rocks for Change featured an epic lineup of local musicians – with two sets from Mac McCaughan and a special appearence by Billy Bragg.
