2017 Hopscotch Roundup Diary

Until this past weekend, I was a Hopscotch virgin. I almost attended the first Hopscotch because one of my favorite bands, Public Enemy...

Until this past weekend, I was a Hopscotch virgin.

I almost attended the first Hopscotch because one of my favorite bands, Public Enemy, was playing but things just didn't work out.

So this past weekend, I went to Hopscotch not really knowing what to expect. I quickly discovered one thing: I wish I hadn't waited so long to attend Hopscotch.

Like their inaugural year, Hopscotch had no shortage of big-name acts with Solange, Big Boi, Run The Jewels, and others. I made a conscious effort to skip the headliners and instead focus on the bands in the clubs.

That's the thing you'll quickly learn about Hopscotch -- there are two main stages at City Plaza and Red Hat, and then shows going on at ten other clubs downtown. So even though you want too, there's no way to see it all.

But I took in a lot. A post-midnight show from the Afghan Whigs. Great sets from Har Mar Superstar, NoName, Pie Face Girls, and more. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see The Veldt (because they were on at the same time as Afghan Whigs) or two excellent bands that closed out Saturday night (Hurray For The Riff Raff and Japanese Breakfast) because I was exhausted by that point. But I heard and saw so much awesome music that weekend that I can't wait to go back next year.

And not only that, I was able to check out some wrestling: