糖心Vlog

There are many reasons why Oak City is a great place to be a college student. In this post, I鈥檒l talk about its emerging music scene that is every bit as exciting as some of its more famous counterparts.

Live Music, Left and Right

Home of nationally acclaimed acts such as Iron & Wine, Sylvan Esso, or Rhapsody, Raleigh has a lot to offer: indie, rock, folk, jazz, gospel, country, funk, R&B, swing, hip-hop, electro-pop, and many more. Whatever you鈥檙e looking for, there is something for everyone, and every ear. Indeed, Raleigh and its neighboring area have hundreds of live music venues, including my personal favorites in Chapel Hill, in Carrboro, and the in downtown Raleigh. And with two record labels in the area, in Downtown Raleigh and in Hillsborough, there鈥檚 no shortage of talent in sight.

Popular events for everyone

Raleigh and its surroundings play host to many popular festivals all year long. In Downtown Raleigh, and are two big arts festivals that have a lot of live music too. One of my favorites is Music Festival, a three-day music celebration spread across the streets of the city, with more 140 bands playing through one weekend. The annual two-day festival draws more than 100 artists and 220,000 visitors to downtown Raleigh. Also worth checking out, Moogfest is a futuristic music festival just next door, in Durham. And this past spring, the festival鈥檚 lineup consisted exclusively of performers and presenters that identified as non-binary or female.

Exciting acts, all year long

While you鈥檒l find exciting things to do year-round, summer is, without a doubt, the most exciting time of the year in Raleigh. Over the summer, there are, on average, more than 100 outdoor shows to enjoy on a warm evening! This year, visiting acts included Paramore, Imagine Dragons, Arcade Fire, Zac Brown Band, and many more. The Coastal Credit Union Park at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre and the Red Hat Amphitheater are summer favorites, but let鈥檚 not forget the great indoor PNC Arena and the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, hosting a wide array of . And yes, before you ask: Hamilton is .

Personal Favorites

As a music-lover myself, I鈥檝e greatly enjoyed living in the exciting Oak City. In the summer, be sure to check out the on Thursdays at North Hills, and the , for live music, fun times, and good food. If you鈥檙e a musician yourself, or want to support up-and-coming artists, there are open mics all over the place. Imurj is , and Ruckus Pizza 听– be sure to try a slice of pizza, too, you won鈥檛 be disappointed!

So, no matter what you鈥檙e into, Raleigh has the sound for you. Read our other posts on Raleigh & RTP, or get in touch with current students to hear more about their experience in the area.