I think we can consider last weekend's first annual Hopscotch Music Festival to be a runaway success. Never before has the city of Raleigh had such an incredible musical event within the confines of downtown. The crowds were terrific (I have yet to hear of anything about someone getting out of hand with authorities), the venues were spectacular hosts, the bands were on point, parking was never a problem, and let's face it, besides a weak drizzle Saturday night the weather was terrific! You have to hand it to Greg Lowenhagen and Grayson Currin, as well the many volunteers and others who helped out for the spectacular organization and attention to detail the festival was able to achieve. And while it is not set in stone that Hopscotch will continue, in most people's minds, especially those of the organizers, it certainly will.
So that begs the question, what things can be tweaked to make the festival an even better experience? I have a couple of small things that would have improved:
- Promote the day parties: In my opinion one of the best things about the festival were the numerous free day parties that took place across town. Unfortunately, these were not heavily promoted to the masses and for most out-of-towners they missed out. Friday night I was standing next to a group of festival goers who had driven eight hours for Hopscotch and they had no idea they had already missed out on two days worth of free music before the night even began. Instead they had stayed in their hotel rooms the entire day watching TV and waiting for the official Hopscotch to start. Saturday I caught them hopping around having a blast and they thanked me profusely for informing them of all the day shows going on.
- More options besides music: While this never bothered me since I am all about the music, I think it would be interesting if perhaps the festival has more attractions. Perhaps movie screenings, food discounts, daytime downtown museum/brewery tours, or a giant hopscotch game people have to follow from one venue to the next on the sidewalk? It would just be something extra to entice people who only care about maybe 4 or 5 bands to get a ticket and not feel bad about the price.
- Better schedule grid on pamphlets: Another minor concern was the grid on the schedule that was handed out to all concert attendees. The schedule was difficult to read and I know many complained about having a hard time knowing when certain bands were going to start. It wasn't too difficult but a better visual would have been better.
- Android and Blackberry app: Yeah yeah, I know iPhone's are king, but there are just as many if not more people in our area with smart phones containing android software and blackberry mobile devices. It would have been awesome to have had a Hopscotch app on my phone. Instead I had to rely on a calendar from GoGo Raleigh, which was nice, just not as nice.
- Social Media Incentives: With social media websites like Foursquare and Facebook getting involved with location based software, it would have added a little spice to let users going to the festival receive badges or maybe even some sort of prize for checking into certain spots, the most venues, etc. Not only is this a fun game for people attending, but it provides fantastic and free promotion for the event and venues hosting bands.
The complaints I have seem so trivial and minor that I hardly see the point in posting them. What about you? Do you have any comments or suggestions for the future of the festival? Comment below!
Idea for Hopscotch 2k11: Muzzles or duct tape for the jackasses that talk like they are in a helicopter while bands are playing.
ReplyDeleteOther than the drunk loudmouths, Hopscotch was so perfect. Thanks, Independent Weekly, Grayson, and Greg!
I agree, with possible exception to the comment about no problems with parking. And your suggestions don't come across as "complaints"; only ideas on having an even better event for next year! ...With the expectations, of course, that this gigantic plum for our state be HELD again next year. It is a LOT of work, and some of your suggestions will be easier to put into place with the template having been laid down this year.
ReplyDeleteI've got a list of suggestions and ideas as well that I'm putting together. Again, agreeing that following such an outrageously successful event, it's worth making sure organizers know the suggestions are not complaints!
[shakes head] We live in an amazing, creative, culturally-rich part of the world.
totes agree with bullet point numbero dos.
ReplyDeleteI would say a greater number of local bands. Let's face it most of the local bands around here are better than a lot of the nationals brought in.
ReplyDeleteneeds more Greg Cartwright!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be nice to have a week between Hopscotch and SparkCon, so all the music fiends (like me) and bands have a week to recover. No doggie olympics at the same time (meaning LESS POOP!). Coffee and grabbable snacks in the press rooms ALL the time - not just some of the time.
ReplyDeleteI loved the staggered start times, and I think there could be even more of that. In some ways it might make things more confusing, but in other ways, you could get in even more variety.
Also, can someone please do SOMETHING about the horrible acoustics/behavior of people when they walk into the Pour House? People walk in, grab a beer, and they are suddenly in bar mode. I'm not sure if the answer is panels on the wall, or having to enter the front first then head back to the bar or something, but I've started avoiding Pour House shows.
Sharon Van Ettison was singing the most beautifully intimate song, and it was so loud with drunk people talking. I was standing right next to her, so the crowd noise shouldn't have been a problem.
Honestly, I can't believe how awesome it all went given it was the first year. I was shooting for the Indy, and I ran into almost no problems. Seriously. Grayson is THE MAN!
I think that the clubs/bars that are typically 21+ should be brought down to 18+. There were so many great shows that I would have loved to attend, but I couldn't because of my age. Imagine how much of the audience was deterred because of that.
ReplyDeletelez flav more p.e.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the Android app. I suspect we will see that next year. Also, I think it would be nice to include other Raleigh clubs like Sadlack's or Volume 11. I realize these clubs aren't downtown, but with the veggie bus making the rounds it wouldn't be difficult to get around to them.
ReplyDeleteSadlacks would be an awesome day party venue, at the very least.
ReplyDeletethe big venues should be somewhere with grass my legs and feet were dying on the cooblestoned city plaza, i couldnt even get my groove on for panda bear! sooo maybe like moore square or the amphitheater would be a better option!!
ReplyDeleteeai only, please
ReplyDelete