Tigers Jaw
Despite our deepest desires, time only continues to move forward, slowly and incessantly. We attempt to understand the present through our conceptions of the past, and we hope to use that understanding to guide the future. These simple chronological divisions offer us a simple way to organize our lives: where we’ve been, where we are now, where we hope to be. Despite their connections, they feel disparate, always looking at one through the lens of another. On their new record Lost on You, the band’s seventh full-length, Tigers Jaw pose a much more holistic idea: we exist in all of these timelines at once. Formed in 2005 by high school friends from Scranton, PA, Tigers Jaw have long been an important and revered band. They quickly gained attention for their ability to effectively and cooly capture teenage emotions, with equal parts upbeat angst and mellow moodiness. And now, two decades later, the band is still going. Ben Walsh (guitar, vocals) and Brianna Collins (keys, vocals), alongside the expanded lineup featuring Mark Lebiecki (guitar), Colin Gorman (bass), and Teddy Roberts (drums), continue their legacy into a new era. Lost on You is a continuation of what we’ve always loved about Tigers Jaw. There’s the powerful and pounding rhythm section, the great melodic leads that shift from instrument to instrument, and, as always, the interchanging and overlapping vocals. With five years since their last release, Walsh noted that the band “wanted to feel confident in the material we have and let things progress naturally.” And so they took their time finding what felt right, even though, of course, life continued on all around them. They reunited with producer and engineer Will Yip (Turnstile, Movements) at his famed Studio 4 in Pennsylvania to capture this moment, this solid and yet very strange period of middle adulthood where we are supposed to have shaken off the uncertainty of adolescence and yet are still plagued by many of the same problems. The result is a Tigers Jaw record as great as you’d expect. Songs like “Primary Colors” and “Baptized on a Redwood Drive” find the band embracing a driving midtempo similar to alt rock heroes Jimmy Eat World or Weezer, with other tracks like “Head is Like a Sinking Stone” and “BREEZER” feeling so classic that the best reference is Tigers Jaw themselves. They sing about blades and knives, anxieties and intentions, and timeless TJ topics like two worlds and ghosts. And while this record is decidedly from the present, it is deeply embedded in their history. There are many moments that would feel just as at home sung along to at the defunct Scranton venue Test Pattern as they would in the huge halls of Philadelphia’s Union Transfer, a venue probably ten-times as large that they are now able to sell out. This is not surprising. The scene’s present moment owes a lot to Tigers Jaw; their contributions have helped pave the way for this entire world, and still the group continues on. Website | Facebook | Instagram
Candi Jenkins
Candi Jenkins, a singer-songwriter from Fayette County, Kentucky, is making her mark in the country music scene. Kin to Conway Twitty, her music emanates an authenticity that reflects the heart of the Bluegrass State. After a strong run of shows at SXSW 2025, she is gearing up to tour this fall with Clay Street Unit and Son Little, among others. Candi’s music, which blends classic country with fresh modern influences, speaks of her connection to her Kentucky roots. Songs like “Cheap Entertainment” and “God Don’t Care” showcase her raw, genuine approach to songwriting, and her live performances have already earned her a growing following. Most recently, she dropped a striking music video for her song “Cowboys For Fools”, directed by Buddy Quaid. Though her music journey is new, Candi’s return to Kentucky has allowed her to discover her true voice, drawing inspiration from the state’s rolling hills and pastoral landscapes. At 30, she is poised for a breakthrough. Since the conception of her musical project in the summer of 2024, she has opened for acts like Jason Boland & The Stragglers, John R. Miller, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Justin Wells, and Steep Canyon Rangers. Candi is already gaining recognition as a standout performer in her sudden emergence. Her songs are undeniable—heartfelt and relatable, with lyrics that make you laugh, cry, and sing along. With her Kentucky heritage now at the forefront of her music, Candi Jenkins is ready to make a lasting impression on the country and Americana scene. Website | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | YouTube
Slow Teeth, Scrape, Minor Stars
Slow Teeth makes original cinematic music inspired by Radiohead/The Smile, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, and many more. The band formed and started writing songs in Saxapahaw, North Carolina in June 2021, initially as an opportunity for Robert Chamberlain (drums, synthesizers), Justin Ellis (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Jeremy Haire (guitar, vocals) to start playing music with others following the pandemic lockdown while previous respective projects were on indefinite hiatus. As the band’s chemistry and highly collaborative identity coalesced, they began playing live in March 2022, tweaking and adapting their improvised post-rock compositions into finished songs and performing them all over the East Coast. Outside of their original compositions and visceral live shows, Slow Teeth has presented various music community events, including a one-off music festival (The Kraken, 2022), a month-long Durham performance residency culminating in an improvised film score to a classic silent film (“Metropolis” at Arcana March 2023), An original film score to the 1928 silent film “Fall Of The House of Usher” (Cat’s Cradle, Halloween 2024) and a headlining show at the Cat’s Cradle in August 2023 to perform Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of The Moon” front to back for the album’s 50th anniversary, complete with backing musicians and interactive visuals. Slow Teeth has supported such acts as Explosions In The Sky, Xiu Xiu, A Place To Bury Strangers, Holy Fawn, Emily Wolfe, Camp St. Helene, Easter Island, and more. Notable US venues and festivals played include The Cat’s Cradle (Carrboro NC), The Ritz (Raleigh NC), Kings (Raleigh NC), Berlin Under A (New York City), Pie Shop (Washington DC), The Drunken Unicorn (Atlanta GA), The Basement (Nashville TN), The Pinhook (Durham NC), Motorco Music Hall (Durham NC), Fleetwood’s (Asheville NC), the 2022 North Carolina State Fair, the 2023 Festival For The Eno, Bull City Summit 2023, and the 2022, 2023, and 2024 editions of the Carrboro Music Festival. Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook
No Cocker: Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tribute
No Cocker: Mad Dogs & EnglishmenNo Cocker is a celebration of Joe Cocker’s classic album “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” but with a twist: all the singers are women. We’ve assembled some of the Triangle’s baddest vocalists from various corners of the music scene – rock and blues bands, sacred music, theater – and brought them together with a kick-ass rhythm section and a full horn section under musical director Nick Langston. Join us for a night of soulful music, dancing and celebrating! Website Jimmy Ray Swagger & The Fussy EatersRecently transplanted to the Triangle area from their home in Cumby, TX, Jimmie Ray Swagger and his band The Fussy Eaters have been taking the East Coast country music establishment by storm. Their gritty songs of love, lust, addiction, malfeasance, and pain aim right for the heart and/or groin. After many long months of planning the move to NC, Jimmie’s probation judge finally approved and they haven’t looked back since! Website
Bedroom Division & William Hinson
Bedroom Division is an indie/alt-pop project from Central NC. Combining polished pop production with 80s inspired synths, dreamy soundscapes, and mellow vocals, Bedroom Division takes inspiration from acts such Djo, Mac DeMarco, and The 1975, delivering a dynamic, unique and nostalgic live experience. After releasing their debut album, along with opening for national touring acts Jonah Marais and The Backfires, Bedroom Division is set to make a splash in the indie scene. William Hinson is an indie pop singer-songwriter from Winston-Salem, North Carolina- currently based in Nashville, TN. Citing The Beatles, John Mayer, Hall and Oates, and The 1975 as his biggest influences, William fuses catchy, relatable lyrics with feel-good compositions to create a sound that has landed him performance slots on radio, festivals, college campuses, and beloved venues such as Georgia Theatre, Mercury Lounge, and Cat’s Cradle. William Hinson has built an impressive catalog, generating over 8M streams on Spotify alone. Lennon KC is an alternative/indie artist from Durham, North Carolina, currently playing as a duo. His sound flows between soft introspective moments and punk-inspired intensity, drawing comparisons to artists like Dominic Fike, The Backseat Lovers, and Rex Orange County. On stage, his electrifying presence amplifies these contrasts, creating an experience that is both dynamic and deeply intimate.
26th Annual Bob Marley Bash
The 26th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash returns to the legendary Cat’s Cradle with Mickey Mills & Steel, Dub Addis, Zion Project, Joel Keel and DJ Ras J. Celebrate the music and message of reggae superstar Bob Marley and bask in the positive energy and natural healing power of live reggae music. Jamaican food and local vendors will also be on hand for this uplifting and positive show, produced by Steel Productions. ☆ Mickey Mills & SteelA pioneer of North Carolina’s reggae scene, Mickey Mills is a Trinidad-born singer, keyboardist, and songwriter once dubbed “the fastest steel drum soloist on earth.” He began playing steel drums at age 12 and has worked with legends including The Rolling Stones, Johnny Mathis, and Mighty Sparrow. His career includes appearances on NBC’s Matlock, performances in the off-Broadway production House of Flowers, and shows at iconic New York City venues such as The Village Gate and Madison Square Garden. Influenced by Bob Marley, Mickey also brings his music and culture to young people nationwide through his “Island In The Sun” and “Steel-A-Rama” educational programs. ☆ dub AddisSoulful and energizing, dub Addis blends intricate Ethiopian melodies with reggae rhythms to create a sound that moves both heart and mind. Rooted in the rich musical tradition of northeastern Africa and the hills of Jamaica, their music celebrates life and unity across many cultures. For more than a decade, dub Addis has performed with superstars like Hugh Masekela, The Wailers, Steel Pulse, Arrested Development, and more, bringing people together through the power of music. ☆ Zion ProjectCovering a vast expanse of musical knowledge reaching from Seattle to Washington, DC, the Zion Project has shared the stage with such reggae royalty as Toots and the Maytals, The Wailers, The Abyssinians, and The Itals. Based in Asheville, NC, the Zion Project was formed through the collective consciousness of Rastafari, combining roots rhythms with soul and jazz influences and an uplifting message. Over the years, the Zion Project has developed a unique style of heavy roots, harmonized vocals, and upbeat songs, bursting with energy. ☆ Joel KeelJoel has been a working musician since his teens, arriving in the U.S. at 18 with the calypso group Firesticks before spending more than two decades as bassist for the reggae band Sunfire, touring widely from New Jersey to Florida, including some of the first reggae shows to ever take place in North Carolina. Now based in Chapel Hill, Joel also has released six solo albums and has multiple studio credits and most recently represented the Triangle Blues Society with Charley Ward at the 2026 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis.. ☆ DJ Ras JWith over 25 years behind the decks and a deep crate of rare Jamaican 45s, Ras J has opened for reggae legends including Lee “Scratch” Perry, Black Uhuru, Culture, Buju Banton, and The Wailers. Known for his incredible “vibe control” of crowds and live dub mixes, his Simmer Down roots vinyl series in the Triangle, his genre-blending Shakori GrassRoots Vinyl Lounge sets, regular festival appearances, and decades of shows at the Cat’s Cradle and the Lincoln Theatre have earned him a respected place in North Carolina’s reggae history.
John Wood Band
The John Wood Band is a soulful, six-piece indie rock band out of Wilmington, NC. The band formed at UNCW, led by lead singer and songwriter John Wood, who is known for songs such as Coffee On The Beach and Dry Eyes. With six pieces in the band, you can always expect a dynamic and electric set. They have played alongside acts such as Congress The Band, Winyah, Harvey Street, Innlet, The Vegabonds, Wim Tapley, and Easy Honey. Catch The John Wood Band on tour all year long! Instagram | Spotify Wild Oak is an indie rock band out of Chapel Hill, NC. Battling through noise complaints and cop visits, the band played their first gig in February of 2025. With a sound somewhere between the Backseat Lovers and Ax and the Hatchetmen, Wild Oak hits the stage each night, sharing one thing with the audience: love for music. Pollen is an indie/alt-rock band based in Chapel Hill, NC. Formed when a casual invite to play, evolved into the first practice. The name Pollen comes from hours spent practicing outside, each time ending with the band covered in yellow dust. Drawing inspiration from staple bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and blending in the fresh, melodic edge of modern indie rock, Pollen is slowly cementing themselves in the vibrant Chapel Hill live music scene. They aim to bring the energy and fun of a cramped house show to every venue they play.
Mega Colossus
Empty Parking Lot, Lqm
Chris Chism EP Release
Nicole Tester:Nicole Tester is a singer/songwriter based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her eclectic indie folk sound pulls from the roots of the Appalachian mountains where she was raised, intertwined with modern indie folk/rock/pop influences. Balancing wit and humor with introspection and insight, she is sure to cover a vast expanse of emotional ground with her lyrics and expressive voice. Her songs serve as a way to tell stories, process experiences, and simultaneously attempt to find common ground to connect with others.Instagram Chris Chism:Chris Chism is a North Carolina-based musician, originally from Indiana, whose work blends traditional folk with modern indie and alternative influences. Playing guitar and banjo, Chris creates music that is both deeply personal and open to interpretation. His songs carry a melancholic tone, but offer glimpses of hope for those willing to look closer. Through a unique mix of heartfelt storytelling and diverse musical elements, Chris’s work invites listeners to connect with the beauty and complexity of life’s quieter moments.Instagram Omar Ruiz-LopezOmar Ruiz-Lopez (he/they) is a Latin-Americana artist whose music bridges old-time, Celtic, and Brazilian fiddle traditions with indie folk songwriting. A bilingual singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Omar brings classical training, emotional depth, and a cross-cultural perspective to the stage — drawing inspiration from artists like Nick Drake, Bruce Molsky, and Elliott Smith. He is based in Hillsborough, NC. Omar has played and recorded with artists such as the GRAMMY-nominated band War and Treaty, Franklin Jonas, Lizzie No, Harper Grace and Langhorne Slim, and cowritten with songwriters such as Rachel Baiman and GRAMMY-nominated Melody Walker (Sierra Ferrell, American Dreaming). He is currently working on an EP with Willa Frank (Paper Wings) and a full-length album with Rachel Baiman producing.Instagram Lonnie RottLonnie Rott is a singer-songwriter in Durham, whose songs explore themes of anticapitalist anger, liberation, solidarity, and lament for the reality that everything dies at last, and too soon.Instagram
