RALEIGH, N.C. — The Hopscotch Music Festival is back in the Triangle this weekend.
In its 11th year, the festival highlights indie artists, many who call North Carolina home.
It's a big deal because at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, independent music venues and festivals were among the first to shut down and last to reopen.
What You Need To Know
Hopscotch Music Festival runs from Thursday through Saturday
It features more than 400 musicians playing at City Plaza and Moore Square
Performers say it's important to support musicians and venues, as many businesses went under during the pandemic
Wilmington native Rebekah Todd is playing solo Friday afternoon at Hopscotch and then playing with her full band at the Mind Under Matter Campout Festival in Raleigh Saturday.
She's looking forward to the performances because music on the road came to an abrupt stop during the pandemic, leaving musicians like Todd to figure out how to make ends meet.
"To make some money, I started a boutique online that was buying from local makers and selling it online to my fanbase," Todd said. "I still tried to use my platform to support myself in some way and to support others."
She also had been doing van life for a while but was forced to be in one place. And she says while the pandemic brought hard moments, the time gave her space to reflect and inspiration for new songs.
"It's been actually a great journey," Todd said. "I needed the break. I didn’t know that I needed it, but I did need it, and it’s actually the reason I am here with this album coming out is because of COVID."
Now Todd is about to go on tour with her band and release a new album. She says it feels good to be getting back to what she loves.
"There was a time when I was living here in Wilmington and playing about 175 gigs a year ... and I thought that was a grind, and it is its own grind," Todd said. "But then when you get on the road, the road sharpens you in a way that nothing else does. I personally love being on the road."
She knows many performers and venues were forced to take different paths during the pandemic and is asking for music lovers' continued support as the industry starts to regrow.
“It's important that everyone goes to see live music and support live music venues, because without people going out they will close. So we all have to do our best to support it," Todd said.
The Hopscotch Music Festival started in 2010 and only took off in 2020 during the pandemic. Then last year it required concert-goers to be fully vaccinated or provide results from a negative COVID-19 test.
This year, it runs from Thursday through Saturday and features more than 400 musicians playing at City Plaza and Moore Square.