Raleigh’s most over-the-top music tradition—a six-night, full-costume, secret-lineup spectacle—is getting the PBS NC treatment Aug. 21.
Raleigh’s rowdiest musical tradition is getting the big-screen treatment. The Great Cover Up—a documentary on the six-night, no-setlist, full-costume lovefest for live music at Kings—is premiering Aug. 21 on PBS NC.
It all started in 1999, when Kings co-founder Paul Siler and friends—touring musicians tired of the lack of indie-friendly venues—decided to open their own spot and throw a hurricane benefit. “A friend told us about this event where bands would dress up as a famous band and perform. We decided to make a curtain, not tell anybody who it was, and when the reveal happened, people just loved it,” Siler recalls. That two-night show is now a six-night festival with as many as 10 bands per night.
The rules? Learn a short set. Go all in on the costumes. Keep your band identity secret until the curtain drops. “The anticipation of who the next band is going to be is always fun,” muses Siler. “It’s an endless supply.”
Kings event manager Yvonne Chazal says the vibe is different from your typical dark-wall club. “We… know how to treat folks well… and the little things that make playing a show really comfortable,” she says. “We pride ourselves on throwing cool shows.”
Onstage, Siler emcees in his now-iconic ’70s-game-show-style jacket. Offstage, the Cover Up raises funds for multiple causes over the course of the week—past beneficiaries have included everything from the Red Cross to local soup kitchens.
The PBS NC documentary focuses on the people and the community that keep the tradition alive—longtime fans who’ve waited in line for decades, bands perfecting every note and wig flip, and even one first-time group prepping for their big reveal. For Siler, it’s a love letter to Raleigh: “It’s a cultural little slice of our city everybody gets excited about.” kingsraleigh.com
Boy Named Sue’s recent EP is holding its own in the Raleigh music scene.
Finer Things by Boy Named Sue Listen if you like: Oasis, Joyce Manor, Violent Femmes
Continuing to cement themselves as a staple name in Raleigh’s music scene is rock group Boy Named Sue with their most recent release, Finer Things.
The Raleigh-based foursome formed in 2021 and has been turning out new music ever since. Writing and recording one well-produced album in four years is a feat for many artists—adding to their three albums and several EPs without sacrificing the quality in this quantity.
Mastered by Raleigh’s own Max Gowan at Found After Dark and released last fall, Finer Things displays a clear maturation from the group’s previous releases, but the lighter-hearted EP is still reminiscent of their same blended punk-rock sound. Consistently and refreshingly uncomplex lyrics lead the listener with unfettered vocals backdropped by grittier instrumentals. All the same, the record isn’t afraid of genre subversion.
Although the main elements of the EP lean far into both rock and emo, Southern sounds can be heard loud and clear—even apart from the opening track titled “CAROLINA SUMMER.” A faint whistle in the background, an occasional taste of a twangier guitar and hints of blues still shine through the punk sound as clear influences of the Carolinas.
And the album’s cover art tops off its contents by reiterating this combination of influences and genres—black high-tops seemingly carelessly tossed over the powerlines against a grainy blue sky mixes a vanguard of punk tastemaking with views of the South.
In short, Finer Things will make you both feel like you just emerged from the beer-soaked ecosystem of a house show and ran across a field amid a Carolina summer (!).
Now that daylight saving time has ended, here’s where to hang after dark.
Hello darkness our old friend. … Daylight saving time has officially ended, aka when we “fall back”—and count the days till we spring forward again (that’s Sunday, March 9—mark your cals).
So, while we pine for the day our gov sees the light—literally—and passes the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent (BYE, 5pm sunsets—forever), we’re trying to find ways to look on the bright side. Here, a handful of hangs to counter the winter blues—no daylight required.
Cause Chaos Vibes? Unmatched. Get rowdy this hockey season with fellow Caniacs at a high-energy and goal-heavy Hurricanes games. We’re the fastest-growing NHL franchise for a reason!
The Ritz Prince said it best: music is indeed healing, so hit up a concert at The Ritz to chase those winter blues away with the likes of Girl in Red (Nov. 27), Finneas (Feb. 16), Foster the People (Feb. 27) and more.
Pickleball Get your paddles and mood up while you hit some balls under the stars (0r lights) at Pin Point, Method Community Park, or North Hills Park. After all, endorphins make you happy!
Daylight doesn’t go underground anyway. Spend a night or two at Goodnights Comedy chuckling at the sillies of stand-up comics bringing tons of talent from all over the country into an intimate setting. Cozy and comical? Count us in.
Trivia If your brain functions better at night, find a lineup of trivia challenges all over town—from adult trivia (*wink, wink*) at Flying Saucer to oodles of other bars and restos offering weekly trivia nights. Think Raleigh Beer Garden (Wendesdays) and My Way Tavern (Tuesdays).
Wine Night Wine all you want this winter with your pals or your boo at such sophisticated and sleek spots as Vita Vite or Barcelona Wine Bar. Sips after sundown? Yes, please!
Movies Movies are so back. Cozy up for a drive-in movie after dark and under the stars at Triangle Cinemas or Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre. Or take the film-watching fun inside with bites and brews at Alamo Drafthouse. Either way, pass the popcorn!
Game Night Got game? Bring your competitive spirit to Boxcar for a night of arcade classics (a round of Pac-Man, anyone?), Skee Ball, air hockey and more. Level up, indeed!
Power can go to your head. … Embark on a thrilling tale following themes of nationalism, war and power, and courage via a Shakespearean masterpiece sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. theatreinthepark.com
6/27 LGBTQIA + Pro Sports Panel
Sports ball is life. Have a ball with the Panthers’ Justine Lindsay, the first openly transgender cheerleader in the NFL; NC Courage’s Kaleigh Kurtz; and NCFC’s Collin Martin at Maywood Hall & Garden. raleighpridenc.com
6/27 Midtown Beach Music Series
BYO chill vibes and leis—and beach chair or towel—to soak up the sun and tunes from The Embers feat. Craig Woolard out on the Midtown Park lawn for the last Beach Music of the year. BRB, we’re on coastal time! visitnorthhills.com
6/27 Pink Flamingos
Who will be named the filthiest people alive? Cheer on (?) Divine and her misfit family as they exercise extremely poor taste in this ’70s cult classic. therialto.com
6/28 Biscuits & Bangers
Fair warning: Biscuits are not included at this funktastic DJ/violinist performance feat. such bangers as Karmic Phoenix, Mike Lew and Dogface—but you can bet the beats will deliver (!). kingsraleigh.com
Now how’s this for a creativity-filled morning. Local Chinese-American visual artist and health equity researcher Isabel Lu is speaking on her journey as a creative who wears two hats at the NCMA. raleighpridenc.com
6/28–29 Rafi Bastos
Tall, funny and with a Dracula accent (really), this trailblazing Jewish-Brazilian comedian is bringing his quick wit and observational humor to the City of Oaks.goodnightscomedy.com
6/29 Awful Movie Club – Pride Edition
The gays are reclaiming I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (“sorry, Sandler, it’s Pride Month!”). Join Newt Work for this special-edition showing at Hartwell in a live RiffTrax-style show where participation is highly encouraged. Say I do! facebook.com
6/29 Men’s Health and Wellness Fair
Healthy body 🤝 happy body. Stay fit and fab with free haircuts, health screenings and snacks from Chick-fil-A at The Bar Ber Shop. thebarbershopnc.com
6/29 Food Truck Rodeo
It’s sure to be the Wild West on Fayetteville Street as a herd of food truck vendors ride into DTR to flaunt mouthwatering fare and bevs galore. Let’s roll. shoplocalraleigh.org
6/29 Bubbles + Brunch
What’s brunch without bubbles? (Erm, breakfast?!) Kick off your weekend with a three-course Italian feast paired with sparkling wines from Berlucchi, the premier bubbles producer in Franciacorta. Cheers! cuccioloraleigh.com
6/30 2024 North Carolina’s Funniest – Preliminary Round
Laugh it up during the last night of the preliminary round of NC’s Funniest Person Competition—as voted by audience members. Read: Your giggles could be the deciding vote! goodnightscomedy.com
6/30 Ajja Market
Good vibes: found. Cool off with cold drinks while sampling snacks and shopping from local vendors as live music serenades the market. @ajjaeats
6/30 Pete Davidson
All hail the king of Staten Island! The SNL Alum is returning for another stint of silliness at Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts. Get ready to giggle. martinmariettacenter.com
