Hopscotch 2012 Day 3: Megafaun, The dB's, Mount Moriah

Photo by Kevin Norris

One of the most talked about day parties of Hopscotch 2012 was the big Megafaun and Friends party in front of Mecca on Martin Street.

Megafaun were joined by phenomenal guitarist William Tyler for most of the set which included "His Robes," "Heretofore," "Second Friend" and "Get Right." Towards the end of the set, the band were joined by Adam Granduciel of The War on

Hopscotch announces 2012 day parties

The details of the free day parties for the 2012 Hopscotch Music Festival were announced today. There are about 30 day parties in all, more than any previous year, featuring some of the area's biggest bands.

There will be five big official parties, two on Friday, September 7, and three on Saturday, September 8. Here's how those parties break down.

The The Love Language will headline a party at

The Old Ceremony announces 'Fairytales' release show with Megafaun

As we've previously mentioned, The Old Ceremony will release their new album Fairytales and Other Forms of Suicide on August 21 via Yep Roc Records, and now they've announced a big hometown release show.

The band will play the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Friday, September 21. Megafaun will open with a special acoustic set. Tickets are on sale now via Etix for $10.

If you haven't already checked

Megafaun closes out summer at Duke Gardens

Photos by Kevin Norris

Local superstars Megafaun returned to Duke Gardens on Wednesday evening to close out the 2012 season with bang (the band first played the Gardens in 2009).

After opening with the quirky instrumental "Isadora," Phil Cook has some problems with his banjo. Being the incredibly adaptable band they are, he simply didn't use it on the ballad "The Longest Day" making for a

Win tickets to Megafaun at Duke Gardens

Megafaun will close out Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens series tomorrow night with a show that's sure to be a rollicking good time.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, email trianglemusiccontests at gmail dot com with "Megafaun tickets" in the subject line no later than 1 p.m. TODAY, July 24. We'll be notifying the winner this afternoon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Tift Merritt, Megafaun & Mandolin Orange to play free show in Carrboro

Three of the Triangle's favorite artists, Tift Merritt, Megafaun, and Mandolin Orange are teaming up for a free show this fall that will certainly be the talk of the town.



The three acts will play Carrboro Town Commons from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 21. Tickets are free with a voucher which you'll be able to get at the Cat's Cradle as well as other local businesses starting on

TRKfest 2012 lineup announced, Des Ark, Hammer & more

It wouldn't be summer in the Triangle without Trekky Records' big annual party, TRKfest. Weather permitting, this year's festival will return to Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro on Saturday, July 21 (last year's event was moved to the Haw River Ballroom due to rain).

This year's lineup features a few performances you won't find anywhere else. First is Lost Skulls, a Misfits cover band featuring

Win tickets to see Midtown Dickens and friends at Duke Gardens

As we mentioned yesterday, next week's Midtown Dickens show at Duke Gardens, part of Duke Performances' Music in the Gardens series, is sure to be a great one. The band will be joined on stage by members of Megafaun, Lost in the Trees, Hammer No More the Fingers, Bowerbirds, and The Tender Fruit on Wednesday, July 18.

For a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show, email

Members of Megafaun, Lost in the Trees & more to join Midtown Dickens at Duke Gardens

When Duke Performances rolled out the 2012 Music in the Gardens lineup back in back in April, Midtown Dickens show on July 18 was listed as "Midtown Dickens + Special Guests." Those guests have now been revealed and there are quite a few of them.

Joining the band will be Phil and Brad Cook of Megafaun, Drew Anagnost and Mark Daumen of Lost in the Trees, Joe Hall of Hammer No More the Fingers,

Duke Performances announces 2012-13 season, the Mountain Goats, Lost in the Trees, Megafaun & more

Duke Performances has continually presented some of the most exciting performances in the Triangle in recent years and the 2012-13 season, which was just announced, continues that tradition. Here's a roundup of some of the shows that really perked up our ears.

First, jazz trio The Bad Plus will return to for a two-night stand at Motorco Music Hall on September 21 and 22.

The Mountain Goats and

Video: Hiss Golden Messenger performs "Red Rose Nantahala" with Phil & Brad Cook

The Independent recently started the Simple Music Video Series, a series of performances filmed around the Triangle. The first two featured Frank Fairfield and John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff which you can check out HERE.

The third is a performance of a new song by Michael Taylor, aka Hiss Golden Messenger, featuring Phil and Brad Cook of Megafaun. It was filmed earlier this month at the

Duke Performances unveils Music in the Gardens lineup

Duke Performances has announced the lineup for what is arguably the best summer concert series around and, as usual, it's end-to-end with stellar local acts.

The Music in the Gardens series kicks off Wednesday, June 6, with The Beast and Big Band and includes The Old Ceremony, Dex Romweber & The New Romans, Bombadil, Mandolin Orange, Midtown Dickens and Megafaun.

Tickets go on sale May 15 and

Video: Drive-By Truckers & Megafaun pay tribute to Levon Helm

The recent passing of The Band's Levon Helm had a deep impact on fans and musicians across world. Tributes have popped up in the live shows of quite a few bands including the Drive-By Truckers and Megafaun, who performed a rousing version of "The Weight" at their show at Cat's Cradle on Thursday night.

Check out the performance below which features Phil Cook on verse three and Brad Cook on

Justin Vernon's label to reissue 'It's All Aquatic' by Amateur Love

Chigliak, the record label launched by Grammy winner Justin Vernon earlier this year, is set to rerelease the 2003 debut album from Amateur Love, the since-defunct band from Eau Claire, Wisc., featuring Megafaun members Brad and Phil Cook along with Josh Scott and Brian Moen.

It's All Aquatic will be released on vinyl and digital formats on May 22. The vinyl version will include previously