A who’s who of NC musicians will come together for two concerts — in-person and virtual

Jessica Banov
·2 min read

Some of North Carolina’s nationally known musical artists and bands will take the stage this spring — both virtually and at a two-day music festival.

The inaugural That Music Festival will span an array of musical genres at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on June 24 and 25.

The lineup features 12 headlining bands and over 20 artists, including Mountain Goats, Steep Canyon Rangers, Mipso, American Aquarium, Delta Rae, Chatham County Line, Rissi Palmer, Boulevards, Jim Lauderdale and more. All either formed in North Carolina or have members who live in the state.

The festival is curated by the Americana radio station called That Station (95.7 FM).

Meanwhile, another crop of musicians with ties to North Carolina will take part in the second Big Night In for the Arts, a fundraiser to help the arts community that has struggled during the pandemic.

This year’s event is March 10 at 7 p.m. and will include musician Ben Folds, jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, Hiss Golden Messenger and poet Jaki Shelton Green.

The first event in March 2021, which aired both on WRAL and online, raised over $350,000 to help local arts councils from Wake, Durham, Chatham, and Orange counties. It starred Scotty McCreery, Branford Marsalis, Oscar-nominated actress Ariana DeBose and Watchhouse (formerly known as Mandolin Orange).

Here are more details about each event:

The Mountain Goats are Matt Douglas, Peter Hughes, John Darnielle and Jon Wurster.
The Mountain Goats are Matt Douglas, Peter Hughes, John Darnielle and Jon Wurster.

That Music Festival

The details: June 24 and June 25, Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Gates open at 1 p.m. Headline act schedule at thatstation.net.

The music: Mountain Goats (formed in California but now live in Durham); Steep Canyon Rangers (based in Asheville and Brevard); Mipso (formed in Chapel Hill); American Aquarium (based in Raleigh); Delta Rae (formed in Durham); Chatham County Line (based in the Triangle); Rissi Palmer (lives in Durham); Jim Lauderdale (from Troutman); Boulevards (from Carolina Mud); Dillon Fence (formed in Chapel Hill); Yarn (based in Raleigh and Brooklyn); Violet Bell (based in Raleigh).

The headline acts will perform on the baseball field of the DBAP while a second stage is set up on Jackie’s Landing and a more intimate acoustic area will be on the main concourse.

Tickets: Two-day tickets start at $75 for reserved seating or $90 for on-field general admission. VIP and Suite options available. On sale now at ThatMusicFest.com.

North Carolina native Ben Folds.
North Carolina native Ben Folds.

Big Night In for the Arts

The details: March 10, 7 p.m.

The artists: Ben Folds, Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, folk music band Hiss Golden Messenger, poet Jaki Shelton Green, tap dancer Jabu Graybeal and acclaimed Pittsboro potter Mark Hewitt with a behind-the-scenes tour and demo.

How to donate: It’s free to watch, but those who wish to make donations can do so during the event or before. Donations can benefit all four arts councils — Wake, Durham, Chatham, and Orange — or donors can specify which district to direct their funds.

How to watch: Watch on WRAL or bignightin.org.

Nnenna Freelon sits for a portrait in the NorthStar Church of the Arts, a community center she created with her late husband Phil Freelon who died in 2019 from ALS, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Durham, N.C.
Nnenna Freelon sits for a portrait in the NorthStar Church of the Arts, a community center she created with her late husband Phil Freelon who died in 2019 from ALS, on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Durham, N.C.