Americana music has always had a unique kind of patriotism. It tends to avoid the shadow of imperialism or—dare we say—anti-intellectualism that mainstream country music sometimes preaches, and instead totes patriotism for the people, by the people.
So when old-time crooners Old Crow Medicine Show set out to make a “patriotic” album, they aimed their focus on people—not parties—percussionist, vocalist and banjoist Cory Younts tells RM. Their newest record, Union Made, drops June 5 amid a ~six month U.S. tour—including a stop at Koka Booth Amp in Cary May 28.
Commentary that felt fitting—or at least pride in their country—didn’t come easy at first. “Management didn’t want to use the word patriotic,” emphasizes Younts, “but wanted some sort of tribute to the 250th anniversary of America. Let’s face it: Who’s proud of America right now?”
Despite starting out discouraged, Old Crow rose to the occasion to make an album for everyone. “How much longer will it be before we reach as one, torn apart and divided by the colors that we see, refusing to believe we’re all in the same family,” sings the track “Beautiful Land,” calling out the steep and often nonsensical divide through the country. “[OCMS frontman] Ketch loves to—as he says—get the hippies and the rednecks together,” notes Younts.
Bipartisanship has always coursed through the Nashville-based band’s blood. What other band would open for staunch conservative Hank Williams Jr. only to later feature blatantly leftist folk artist Jesse Welles in an opening track? Younts tell RM that while they wanted Welles on the record, he didn’t have a hand in writing the opening track “Howdy Do America”—he only had a voice in the vocals.
“That song is very Fozzie Bear and Kermit to me,” quips Younts. “It’s very moving right along.”
Also gracing Union Made is Merle Haggard’s influence via a cover of “Rainbow Stew,” a whimsy and hopeful (at least by Haggard standards) deep cut. “Merle didn’t perform it the way we do,” says Younts. “We listened to it, and ‘I said, you know, we could double time this and make it our own,’ and we’ve been performing that pretty much every night.”
On top of “Rainbow Stew,” OCMS is still happily strumming “Wagon Wheel.” The show may be in Cary, but the line “If I die in Raleigh, at least I will die free” will hit close to home no matter where you are.
Picnic like a pro at Koka Booth’s Summerfest series
If you thought Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre was just for symphonic sounds under the stars, think again. For 25 years, the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest series—which kicked off in May and runs weekly through July—has been home to one of the Triangle’s most delightful traditions: the themed picnic contest.
Inspired by the evening’s music—Star Wars, Broadway, A Summer Night in France, the ’70s and so on—these wildly creative setups have evolved into full-blown productions. “It’s definitely gotten grander,” says NC Symphony Assistant VP of Marketing and Sales Emma Wall, who notes the picnics have been a tradition since Koka Booth opened. “People are more into it and we see more and more creative things.”
Photos courtesy of NC Symphony
Each concert draws hundreds of picnics, with everything from Hogwarts-themed spreads showcasing butterbeer and chocolate frogs to tables draped in French flags and croissants. One Broadway night even featured film reels, VHS tapes and director chairs labeled like a movie set.
Roving judges scour the grounds to pick the top three picnics—the winner grabbing a grand prize $100 gift card to Wegmans, with two honorable mentions each scoring a $25 gift card. And, yes, “they do try to bribe the judges with their food and drinks,” jokes Wall.
She describes how picnickers pull out all the stops to win big, transforming even the humblest dish into a showstopper with a little creativity, flair—and a dash of friendly competition. “It could be like a normal everyday potato salad, but they’ve done a little something to tie it to the music being performed,” she says. Think “Susie’s Big Top Potato Salad,” complete with a circus-themed label and paper performer.
And this year’s themes are poised to offer even more inspo to let the imagination soar, from Disco Fever to Tropical Rock for 5 O’Clock Somewhere to The Catalinas. “Everybody wants to win a gift card to the grocery store,” says Wall of the competition—but assures it’s “family-friendly in a beautiful atmosphere… relaxed and fun.”
If you think you have what it takes to be crowned winner, pull out your best spreads and spread out at Koka Booth this summer. The more the merrier!boothamphitheatre.com
Life is too short for FOMO—so grab the tickets and file the memories. From hot concerts and epic fests to arts, theater, comedy and beyond, Raleigh’s lineup is stacked. Here, our bucket list worth clearing your cal for.
Linkin Park courtesy of Lenovo Center
Halsey courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
The Black Keys courtesy of Red Hat Amphitheater
Tyler the Creator courtesy of Lenovo Center
Goo Goo Dolls courtesy of Red Hat Amphiteater
Jason Aldean courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Mt. Joy courtesy of Koka Booth Amphitheater
The Lumineers courtesy of Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Mr. Worldwide, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone and more head to Queen City to throw some love in your life. Charlotte, lovinlifemusicfest.com
Iron Blossom Music Festival
Sept. 20–21
High spirits blossom at this indie music fest featuring the likes of Vampire Weekend, Khruangbin and Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Richmond, ironblossomfestival.com
NC Holiday Flotilla
Nov. 28–30
Float on alright at the annual boat-decorating competition and parade kicking off the holiday season. Wrightsville Beach, ncholidayflotilla.org
Feast Wilmington
March 2026
Feed your need and consider this fest your passport to all the food and bevs that give Wilmy its foodie credentials. Wilmington, feastwilmington.com
Nikki Glaser Courtesy of Martin Marietta
Craig Robinson courtesy of Raleigh Improv
Shane Gillis courtesy of Live Nation
Godfrey courtesy of Raleigh Improv
Randy Feltface by Dylan Woodley courtesy of Goodnights Comedy Club
Comedy
Nikki Glaser, April 12–13 @ Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
*Quietly* cheer on your fave pro golfers as they vie for the top title at one of the finest country clubs in the U.S. Cue the golf clap! Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, pgachampionship.com
The Soccer Tournament
June 4–9
Kick it for a shot at $1 mill with locals, legends and professionals at the “most exciting and highest stakes” 7 vs. 7 soccer tourney in the world. WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, tst7v7.com
City of Oaks Marathon
Nov. 2
Put your body’s endurance to the test on this 26.2-mile run from North Raleigh to DTR—or opt to hold a snarky poster and line the course to cheer on the overachievers. Both are winners in our book! Raleigh, cityofoaksmarathon.com
Panthers vs. Bills
Fall, date TBD
Are you ready for it? This year’s T. Swift and company losers—er, the AFC runners-up Buffalo Bills—look to get stampeded in Charlotte by a Panthers team on the glowup finding new life under coach Dave Canales and now-hot QB “the Carolina Reaper” Bryce Young. Keep Pounding! Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, panthers.com
Swan Lake courtesy of Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
Tee up for a better tomorrow while catching future PGA pros in action, indulging in top-tier hospitality and making a real impact—all from the best seat on the green at Raleigh Country Club. unchealthchampionship.com
Summer Salute
May 31
No beach? No problem. Get your shag on at North Ridge Country Club by swaying to live beach music, running it back at the Pink Flamingo Casino and partying for Transitions LifeCare—good vibes guaranteed. northstatebank.com
Rock Your World
Sept. 7
Party hard—give back harder. Crank up the volume at this adrenaline-fueled fest serving live music, sky-high thrills and nonstop energy that promise to, ahem, rock your world as you hop and bop to Band of Brothers and the Rae Radick Band, throw your hats for a military tribute, and sample sips and snacks in support of the Hope for Haiti Foundation and more. hopeforhaitifoundation.com
Evening of Hope &Igniting Hope
Sept. 10 & 11
Double the impact as hope takes center stage across two powerhouse nights of purpose hosted by Foundation of Hope at the Pavilion at the Angus Barn to fuel critical mental health research and support for those battling mental illness. Glam up for a gala and inspiring keynote, then shift gears for a more laid-back evening of dinner, drinks and dancing. walkforhope.com
MightyGivebackConcert
Expected September
Nothing’s mightier than music with a mission. Dip your feet into this philosophy by uplifting local nonprofits—and dancing hard—with a high-energy lineup of live music at Red Hat Amp.bandtogethernc.org
Hops for Hope
Sept. 13
The only thing better than cracking open a cold one? Cracking open a cold one for a cause. Compassion meets craft beer at the 10th annual brew-tiful fundraising fest landing in North Hills’ Midtown Park to fund life-changing medical flights for children and families in need. We’ll drink to that—with plenty of brews to pick from.childrensflightofhope.org
Over the Edge
Sept. 27
Got guts? Prove it by taking the plunge from 19 stories up and rappelling down DTR’s Pendo building to benefit Special Olympics NC. Besides serving serious bragging rights, the drop mirrors the everyday adversities individuals with disabilities encounter while raising funds to make them feel a little lighter. sonc.net
Holt BrothersFoundationFunkraiser
Nov. 2
Dance, drink and party for the children? Twist our arm. Uptown funk is gonna give it to you via sips, snacks, music and a memorabilia auction at this annual fundraiser at Angus Barn uplifting NFL football stars Terrence and Torry Holt’s mission to support children of cancer patients. holtbrothersfoundation.org
Turkey Ball
Expected November
Gobble till you wobble for good. A ticket to this ambient annual alfresco gala poolside at Mulino means a holiday turkey for a family in need. mulinoraleigh.com
Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Dec. 6
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, so lift your voices high and battle it out at Moore Square for the caroling crown while bolstering local education through the Wake Tech Community College Foundation.figgypuddingnc.org
Jingle Ball
Expected December
Mix, mingle and jingle all the way at Marbles Kids Museum to bring Christmas to life for local tots in need via thousands of toys and toy program funding in Wake County. And be sure to be nice—Kris Kringle may make an appearance… capitalcityclauses.org
Photo by Shepard Barnes, courtesy of Live After 5
Photo by Keenan Hairston, courtesy of Out! Raleigh
Courtesy of NC State Fair
Courtesy of Raleigh Christmas Parade
Art in Bloom courtesy of Visit Raleigh
Tried & True
Midtown Beach Music
Thursdays April–June
Tropical oasis: found. Don your Hawaiian shirts, leis and carefree attitudes for Midtown’s lineup of sunny tunes paired with food trucks, sips and all-around good vibes. visitnorthhills.com
Artsplosure
May 17–18
It’s always an explosion of creativity and color at this art mecca serving up a curated lineup of ~175 visual artists from across the country spotlighting ceramics, glass, jewelry, metal, painting and photography. artsplosure.org
Live After 5
May 21, June 18, July 23, Aug. 20
A post-work DTR block party? Say less. DRA’s free summer concert series is back with a spotlight on NC-grown artists. Expect drinks and dancing backdropped by cover bands, original artists, vendors and food trucks all rooted in the Tarheel State. downtownraleigh.org
Out! Raleigh
June 20–21
Local flavors, vibrant entertainment and all the rainbow energy ignite Fayetteville Street to celebrate and support the community and LGBT Center of Raleigh. On Friday, leave the kids behind for a night of adults-only fun. #Boots lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
NC State Fair
Oct. 16–26
Feast your eyes, ears and stomachs on food, artisan goods, games and more at the state’s fave fest. Pro tip: Wait at least 30 minutes after housing a turkey leg or order of fried Oreos to spike your adrenaline on a ride. ncagr.gov
DRA Tree Lighting
November
And Raleigh said, “Let there be light!” Get lit for the holiday event you’ve been pining (!) for by oohing and aahing at the sparkling tree while sipping and snacking on food truck fare and drink vendors. Rockefeller Center, who? downtownraleigh.org
Raleigh Christmas Parade
Nov. 22
Ring in the holidays with parading pageantry and excitement as floats, marching bands, dancers and giant balloons grace—and float over—the DTR streets. And you better watch out (till the end) because Santa Claus is coming to town.grma.org
A Christmas Carol
December
The ghost of Christmas future says laughter and good humor is coming to the Cap City via Theatre in the Park’s annual showcase of good tidings and cheer with a twist. theatreinthepark.com
Krispy Kreme Challenge
February 2026
Pound a dozen doughnuts (or 2,400 calories) in the middle of a 5-mile jaunt and run it back in under an hour, all in the name of charity for the UNC Children’s Hospital. Take it from us—if you want to avoid running through partially digested doughnuts, stay ahead of the crowd. krispykremechallenge.com
Art in Bloom
March 2026
NCMA’s annual petal power is back as florists from across the state and beyond interpret works from the People’s Collection into bold and blooming masterpieces. Okay, bloomers! ncartmuseum.org
Judgment Day is upon us—our annual roast of our top (bottom?) “did they seriously do that” moments. Like the Oscars for best blunders—from flubs and faux pas to shocking lapses in judgment and questionable decisions to just straight screwups—it’s the most wonderful time of the year indeed. And this year’s lot of losers do not disappoint. O come all ye thirsty, cause we’re about to put on a show.
Mark Robinson photo Maxim Elramsisy/shutterstock.com
That’s Going To Leave a Mark In case any local trivia orgs need some updated U.S. history Q’s, we’ve brainstormed some ideas: Which wanna-be NC gov allegedly described Martin Luther King Jr. in racially offensive terms? Which NC lieutenant gov told women to keep their skirts down in reference to reproductive health care? Who allegedly referred to himself as a “Black Nazi” on a porn site? What politician tagged a public Facebook post about parenting #haveyourdeadbeatsspayedandneutered? The answer to all of them: Mark Robinson—NC’s big mouthed politician and overall national embarrassment. Way to represent the Old North State, Markie.
Glen-Wood Avenue You know what they say—if you don’t want your mugshot on the news, don’t whip it out on Glenwood Avenue. Special Deputy Attorney General Torrey Dixon was charged with public indecency and intoxication after (allegedly) exposing himself on the corner of Blue Ridge Road and Glenwood while yelling obscenities—including threats—at bypassers. The scandalous, ahem, outburst apparently came after Dixon was denied entry to the Men Wear Pink Fashion Show at Crabtree because he “appeared intoxicated.” Clearly not the best exposure… if you’re picking up what we’re putting down.
Courtesy of U.S. Department of Justice
Storm’s Brewing Where were you Jan. 6, 2021? If the answer was storming the U.S. Capitol… you may need to rethink, well, everything. So it goes for Cary man James Tate Grant, who was among a crew of five in the first drizzle of rioters who approached and attacked Capitol police officers with a sea of deadly or dangerous weapons. Culminating in a perfect storm, all five men were found guilty for their actions and convicted of civil disorder. Justice served.
Kentucky Not-So-Gentlemen Thanks to cancel culture, elected officials can’t even get belligerently drunk at a bourbon tasting and vomit in a distillery sink anymore… smh. According to an anonymous Reddit user, a group of NC lobbyists and lawmakers got a little too lit at a bourbon-tasting event in Kentucky and proceeded to engage in disorderly conduct—never mind not tipping their bartenders. When asked, an NC Republican Party spokesman said it wasn’t a “state GOP event.” You heard it here first—if it doesn’t happen in-state, it doesn’t actually count.
Courtesy of Chinese Lantern Festival
Cast Away Alexa, play “Damaged” by Danity Kane. The eighth NC Chinese Lantern Festival was washed away—literally—after strong storms caused the fan-fave 200-foot 18,000-pound dragon lantern to sink into the Koka Booth Amphitheatre lake like our very own Nessie, forcing the fest to shutter a few days early. So loose lips sink ships—and apparently torrential rains sink dragons.
We’re the Millers courtesy Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc
Tequila Me Crazy The Grinch did indeed succeed in stealing Christmas last year—and he hit us where it hurts (read: 19,000 bottles of stolen tequila). Keeping holiday spirits—and booze supplies—low, only eight of the stolen skids of Hacienda Chactun Tequila were located post-heist… but had to be dumped like a lump of coal due to a chain of custody issues. It’s giving real-life We’re the Millers with liquor in lieu of weed. And we’re willing to bet the squad of Scrooges—er, tequila thieves—are feeling #NoRagrets about their Christmastime crime.
Andrii – stock.adobe.com
Sticky Sitch When Gucci Mane said “A man can get lost in the sauce,” we’re pretty sure this is not what he meant. A tractor trailer carrying 38,000 pounds of steak sauce overturned on I-440 near Wade Avenue, causing traffic to get, well, bottlenecked as crews struggled to wash away the teriyaki marinade and clear the leftover bottles from the road. Fortunately, the saucy situation was unclogged before anyone with a spare filet caught wind of it.
Rawf8 – stock.adobe.com
Twilight’s Last Gleaming NC was feeling charitable (?) this year. An outpouring of love and support (read: cold hard cash) was donated to those who needed it most—aka a group of UNC frat brothers, natch. “Good samaritans” raised $500K+ to “throw a rager” for multiple fraternities after they protected an American flag during a campus protest and were hailed as “American heroes” in boat shoes. It’s not clear where the entirety of the half-mill went, but it’s safe to assume Zyn and Vineyard Vines got their fair share.
Out of Bounds It’s called disrespect—look it up. In a heated match, NCSU bball god—er, guard D.J. Horne—extended State’s infamy of “givin’ ’em the business” when he flashed both middle fingers, resulting in a figurative wrist slap (but no suspension) by the ACC in a mired matchup the Pack clawed back to win while racking up six collective fouls and a Keatts ejection. Consider this game’s flick off the charts.
Courtesy of shutterstock.com, with lizard generated by Adobe Photoshop Generative Fill
The Lizard of Oz Toto, I don’t think we’re in Florida anymore. … Spotted this spring on a self-guided tour of the Cap City, a 5-foot iguana was commandeered by Raleigh Police, marking the second iguana incident of 2024. It’s giving reptile dysfunction—and we’re here for it.
Courtesy of Carolina Panthers
Cup Gate In a fit you’d be more likely to find on a preschool playground, grown-ass tyrant—er, Panthers owner David Tepper—was caught on viral video throwing a “Tepper tantrum” when he chucked a cup toward some jibing Jacksonville fans… and then ran. One of the few completed passes of the 2023–24 season, the moment of utter inTeptitude (s/o Charlotte sports writer Scott Fowler) drew the ire of fed-up fans for its big dictator energy. Failing still to use his words, Tepper basically said “sorry not sorry,” blaming the fans for being mean to him, then managed to avoid suspension and draw a mere $300K for the assault. Translation: $3 to a person with a net worth of ~$200K. … Stay classy, Tepp.
In the Dumps Talk about a major dump. In April, a commercial dump truck hit and knocked down a sign on I-440 near the Hillsborough Street exit, leaving both directions of the highway, ahem, backed up for almost an hour. The clog-up came after the truck’s raised bed caused it to clip the metal structure, which just goes to show you should always squat before you go.
It’s time to take action. Young Hearts Distilling is footing the bill for apps and drinks so that patrons will donate to Moms Demand in its mission to help end gun violence. #EnoughIsEnough momsdemandaction.org
8/18 Women’s Equality Day Gala
Channel the “power of the pearls … and the women who wear them” at League of Women Voters of Wake County’s swanky soiree featuring Dix Park Conservancy CEO Janet Cowell as keynote speaker. Let’s go girls! lwvwake.org
8/18 Women’s Social Club Mixer with 321 Coffee
Oh, we love this a latte.321 Coffee is hosting Women’s Social Club at its new DTR location in order to share the story of how the “people-focused coffee” shop came to be—followed by a private tour of their new digs. Cool beans!321coffee.com
8/19 Lux Paint + Pour Back to the 90’s Event
We are totally buggin’ for this creative celebration featuring bumpin’ beats, chef-selected snacks, and an open bar to get those artistic impulses flowing. Color us intrigued! mccormickcreations.com
The Motown maestro’s really got a hold of us. See ya at Booth. boothamphitheatre.com
8/19 Throwback Night at Wake County Speedway
Hop on the fast track to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Wake County Speedway—aka “America’s Favorite Bullring.” Up to 40 racers are expected to be in attendance. “If you ain’t first, you’re last!” wcspeedway.com
8/19–21 Audio Advice Live
If you like the sound of sampling premier audio equipment and bopping to some sick tunes like never before… listen up! Audio Advice’s premier audio and video event—held this year at the Sheraton Hotel—will also allow attendees to network with and ask advice from industry experts, product managers, engineers and more. live.audioadvice.com
8/20 321 Coffee Grand Opening
Words cannot espresso how excited we are for 321 Coffee to open its highly anticipated Bloc[83] location! Come out for coffee (natch) and community—plus limited-edition merch and a raffle for custom-painted 321 Coffee Nike Air Force Force 1 shoes (!). 321coffee.com
8/20 Daddy Daughter Luncheon
Calling all girl dads! Treat your pops to lunch at Your Pie and hear passages from Grammy-nominated musician, educator and former Durham city councilman Pierce Freelon’s newly released children’s book, Daddy Daughter Day. Too sweet! yourpie.com
8/20 Dog Days of Summer at The Great Raleigh Trolley
Humid summer days can be a bit ruff—especially for your canine. … Take a break from the heat and sip on a cold beer or cocktail from the Tap Yard Garden Bar while strolling through the Pop-Up Dog Daze Market feat. local dogcentric vendor partners; then hit up TW’s Italian Ice for a tasty (and more importantly, frozen!) treat. Classic rock band Tigerlily will be providing the tunes, and Cause for Paws will be on-site with some furry friends looking for forever homes. That’s so fetch!greatraleightrolley.com
8/20 Kevin Hart
You’re gonna wanna get “nightschooled” as funny man “Flip” (aka Pollstar’s comedy touring artist of the decade) brings his charming and disarming brand of comedy to PNC for a “Reality Check.” pncarena.com
8/20 The Roaring 20s Kirby Derby
Ready to go for a spin? In honor of its 20th anniversary, Kirby Derby is hosting a Roaring ’20s-themed parade, pinebox mini car race and soapbox Derby. “It’s fabulous, fantastical and fanatical.” kdd.gamil.com
8/20 The Secret Garden Soiree Festival
“The ultimate R&B experience” is landing at Fred Fletcher Park, complete with R&B tunes (natch) from local DJs and live bands, food trucks, local vendors, backyard games, and a Champagne wall (!). Talk about a great way to close out summer. @followthedj
8/20 Walnut Creek Wetland Park’s Mud Day
Get down in the dirt (literally) at the fourth annual Mud Day, featuring a mud kitchen, crafts, food trucks and an obstacle course ending with a mud pit. Time to get your hands (and possibly your whole body) dirty! raleighnc.gov
8/20 Yoga on the Patio at Brookside Bodega
Stay Zen by stretching out with Brookside Bodega’s very own Jessie of Yoga Vibes during a 90-minute yoga session. … A bottle of vino from the market is sure to keep the chill vibes going all day long. Namaste! brooksidebodega.com
8/20, 9/3 Neon Nights Scavenger Hunt
Get your ne“on” and grab the glow sticks for a fun hunt on and around Fayetteville Street. The winning team’s future is looking bright. searchinthecity.co
8/21 Jack Johnson
All that time sitting, waiting, wishing finally paid off as the tunester croons it out at the Creek. walnutcreekamphitheatre.com
8/21 Rooftop Jazz Brunch
Swing by the Willard for a three-course brunch while enjoying tunes from pianist Jonathan Markow and his trio … plus enjoy full access to the Willard bar. So smooth! thewillardraleigh.com
8/22 Island Wine Dinner
Hey, beaches!Bendito is bringing the island vibes to Raleigh with chef Kevin Ruiz’s five-course wine pairing menu. Blessed, indeed. benditonc.com
