The annual Hopscotch Music Festival begins Thursday in downtown Raleigh. The event has been bringing local and national performers to the city since 2010.
Thousands are expected to attend this year's event, which features headliners St. Vincent, Faye Webster, Waxahatchee and The Jesus Lizard.
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Headlining sets will take place in City Plaza and Moore Square, while other acts will perform at venues including Nash Hall, Wicked Witch, Neptunes, The Pour House, Kings, Slims and Transfer Co. Ballroom.
For the second year in a row, the festival will include some comedy sets. This year's comedians include Joe Pera, a writer and filmmaker best known for his Adult Swim series, “Joe Pera Talks With You." He will close out Thursday's night of comedy at Lincoln Theater.
Some three-day general admission tickets ($159) and VIP passes ($349) are still available. Each allow access to all headlining and club shows. VIP tickets include access to the VIP Oak Lounge, pre-show parties and priority access to club shows.
Single-day passes, single-venue passes and single-concert passes will not be available this year.
Hopscotch weather forecast: Fall-like temperatures and rain chances:
The fall-like weather will continue on Thursday with highs in the upper 70s with a mix of sun and clouds, along with a small chance of rain. We could see some sprinkles Thursday but no heavy rain or thunderstorms – just some light, passing sprinkles that should clear out by the evening commute.
Friday looks to be partly cloudy and a little warmer with a high in the low 80s and a slight chance for a shower, especially at night.
Forecast models struggle with the intensity of the rain that comes in, but it's possible we see some showers Friday night along with some scattered late morning/early afternoon storms Saturday.
"It's a stalled front sitting offshore that may develop an area of low pressure," said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell of Saturday. "This is what's really going to bring a chance for rain."
On Saturday, the high is expected to be in the low 80s with partly cloudy skies during the morning hours that will become overcast in the afternoon.
Hopscotch lineup includes return of St. Vincent
The festivalkicks off with Waxahatchee, Snail Mail and Tim Heidecker at City Plaza and JPEGMAFIA, Mavi and Previous Industries at Moore Square.
On Friday, Sept. 6, Faye Webster, MJ Lenderman and the Wind and Feeble Little Horse at City Plaza. BADBADNOTGOOD, Chicano Batman and Peter One will be at Moore Square.
Saturday, Sept. 7, St. Vincent,Guided by Voices, Indigo De Souza, Amen Dunes and Sofia Bolt will be on the City Plaza stage and The Jesus Lizard, Wednesday, Durand Jones, The db's and Ducks LTD will be on the Moore Square stage.
It's been 10 years since St. Vincent took the stage in City Plaza for Hopscotch Music Festival.
Some shows are all ages
The shows at City Plaza and Moore Square stages are open to fans of all ages with children 12 years and younger admitted for free.
There are restrictions though at some of the Hopscotch venues hosting club shows.
Kings, Nash Hall and Transfer Co. Ballroom are hosting all ages club shows.
The Wicked Witch, however, is only 18 years and older. The Pour House, Neptunes and Slims are all 21 years and older venues for Hopscotch shows. You must have a valid photo ID to enter clubs with age restrictions.
Day parties offer Hopscotch fun without the ticket
As with years past, you will not need a ticket to attend Hopscotch Day Parties, which start around midday and go into the early evening Thursday through Sunday at a variety of local venues including Schoolkids Records, Ruby Deluxe, The Rialto Theatre and The Longleaf Hotel and Lounge.
In addition to the day parties, Hopscotch is teaming up with Marbles Kids Museum for a special Totscotch event on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., this family-friendly music event will be happening on Hargett Street between Moore Square and Marbles Kids Museum. Performers will include Modern Biology, Baba McDaniel Roberts and The Loblollies with special guest Ava the STEM Princess. The event is free and does not include museum admission.