Tips for the first-time Hopscotcher

I caught up with Hopscotch Music Fest co-director Grayson Currin to get some tips for folks heading to Hopscotch for the first time! Here are some of his suggestions and ones from his fabulous wife Tina.

Posted 5:38 p.m. Sep 3, 2013 — Updated 5:59 p.m. Sep 3, 2013

Kathy Hanrahan

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet a lot going from venue to venue.
Make sure to stay hydrated and enjoy local cuisine.
Write down where you are parked on a sheet of paper and put it in your pocket. Whether you take a bike or car, you are going to be hitting a lot of shows in different locations. Don't want to forget where you parked! And if you have one too many adult beverages along the way - take a taxi!
Speaking of getting around - the Larry's Beans Veggie Shuttle will be giving attendees rides around the festival for free! It runs from 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It will travel the festival route and stop at The Pour House Music Hall, Lincoln Theatre, Memorial Auditorium, Berkeley Cafe and CAM Raleigh. While on board make sure to fuel up with cold brew coffee shots! The bus runs on waste vegetable oil from local restaurants.
Charge your phone at Lenovo charging stations. This three-time Hopscotch sponsor will have stations outside of CAM Raleigh in the warehouse district and in the City Plaza main stage. The stations are individually locked cabinets. Just drop your phone off and grab a key. When done, get your phone, leave the key and keep Hopscotching!
Carry a copy of the printed schedule with you. It will come in handy if your phone dies and you need to hit up a charging station. Also, it is fun to compare notes with other Hopscotchers on what shows you are headed to.
Check out the Hopscotch mobile app to set your schedule!
VIP pass holders should feel free to jump from venue to venue. Since VIP holders get into venues a lot quicker - you pay for the privilege of being able to wait in a much shorter line - don't feel stuck to one venue if you are waiting to see someone who doesn't go on until 12:30 a.m.
If you can't get in to see the band you wanted to see, don't sweat it. Go somewhere else and discover a new band. "It might be a bummer at the time, but you will see another band that might end up being your favorite act of the festival," Tina said.
Make sure to plan to attend shows of bands you might not get a chance to see again.
Bring cash.
Hotels have clean bathrooms.