Last Date

Dugout Entertainment presents a night with Last Date, Fort Knox, and Jackson Slater. Veterans of the Chapel Hill music scene, pop-rock band Last Date seeks to bring another night of their infectious energy to the Cat’s Cradle Backroom. They’ll be joined by standout Knoxville jam-band, Fort Knox, whose members come from diverse backgrounds of funk, rock, folk, country, and many more. With support from Chapel Hill’s up-and-coming southern-rock talent in Jackson Slater, this will be an unforgettable night rooted in a rich history of two prominent college towns’ music scenes. Be sure to follow the artists, Cat’s Cradle, and Dugout Entertainment for more information on this event and many more to come! Last Date Instagram: @lastdate_band Fort Knox Instagram: @fortknoxband Jackson Slater Instagram: @jackson.k.slater Dugout Entertainment Instagram: @dugoutentertainment

The Hails

Regardless of whichever omnipresent puller-of-strings you subscribe to, it’s undeniable that some force was always working to ensure the inevitability of The Hails. From two of the band members both calling the same third floor apartment home at different parts of their then separate childhoods — the very building they’d later meet their bassist in — to a fateful University of Florida dining hall encounter years later that set things in motion. There has always been a strange air about the sequence of events meant to unite Robbie Kingsley, Franco Solari, Dylan McCue, Andre Escobar and Zach Levy, that begs the question, is anything ever truly up to chance? Despite first playing in an insular Miami high school music scene, the band officially formed at UF, finding their moniker in the college’s alma mater — “All hail, Florida, hail.” The Hails banded together through a slew of long nights and wild house shows in their living room — the only option in the basement-less state of Florida. Ironically, from the tattered carpeting and the beer bottle lined shelves of their shitty college house arose a distinct, refined sound that is now synonymous with the band’s name. With shimmering early singles like “Younger” and “Stay,” and their EPs He Seems Upset (2020) and Alive in Strange Ways (2021), The Hails came to represent an edgy sort of sleekness that can only be attributed to the cities they cut their teeth in — Gainesville and Miami. Mirrored in the band’s sound, there’s an underlying grit that comes from Gainesville’s affinity toward DIY; where the band played countless shows at the infamous High Dive over the years and hijacked the community spirit of an entire college town. But within everything the band does, you can hear Miami’s quality of perfectly riding the line between the cutting edge and the neon-laced nostalgia of yesteryears. Fusing their varying cultures, upbringings and influences, comes a sound that’s unmistakably singular. Firing the starting pistol of their current chapter, The Hails began rolling out singles from their debut album in October 2022. Recent highlights of the road include holding court at festivals like III Points, WonderStruck and Okeechobee, interspersed between sold-out shows across the state of Florida, and tour support for WILLIS, The Happy Fits, The Beaches and the moss. Now with their debut album What’s Your Motive out in the world, The Hails will bring their new music to the road on their first ever headline tour. The keys to that third-floor apartment have traded hands to another family, and a new wave of orange-and-blue-clad underclassmen shuffle into the dining hall to grab their heat-lamp-warmed meals. But even in the same settings, no string of occurrences will ever happen again to create a band quite like The Hails. Website | Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube

The Moon Unit x INSTANT ALTER

The Moon Unit is a high-energy jazz fusion trio based in Durham, North Carolina, made up of musicians who have performed alongside some of the country’s most popular neo-jazz and jazz fusion artists. Drawing from a rich tapestry of musical styles—from traditional jazz and modern funk to rock and experimental pop—the trio brings a unique, genre-defying sound to every performance. Rooted in a lifelong friendship, The Moon Unit has honed their craft through years of exploring complex rhythms, melodies, and intense improvisation. Their performances are an invitation into an ever-evolving sonic journey where the boundaries of musical genres dissolve, leaving listeners with a transformative experience. Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or a lover of bold, genre-blending sounds, The Moon Unit offers a live performance like no other. Bio | Instagram | Spotify Instant Alter Bandcamp | Instagram | Linktree Zones is a duo featuring keyboardist Daniel Combs and drummer Brady Kennedy. Born out of a shared love for musical exploration, each performance is a unique sonic adventure that begs the question: are you in the zone or are you zoning out? Instagram | YouTube

Carrboro Indie Night

Indie Night is hitting Carrboro with a high-energy, indie-rock showcase at the iconic Cat’s Cradle Backroom, presented in collaboration with Dugout Entertainment. Featuring a stacked lineup of local favorites, Pilot Light, Davie Circle, and The Wallabies, plus Rohna from Florida. This event promises an unforgettable night of original songs, electrifying covers, and nonstop indie anthems between sets. Drawing crowds from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and beyond, Indie Night is set to unite the Triangle’s vibrant college and underground music scenes for a night of pure sonic magic. Rohna With an unmistakable sound and an electrifying stage presence, Rohna has solidified themselves as one of the most exciting bands to emerge from Florida’s indie-rock scene. Since forming in 2019, the five-piece—Andres Hernandez (bass and vocals), Austin Burdi (guitar), John Bruno (guitar, keys, and vocals), Luca Canalungo (drums and vocals) and Nick Rovello (guitar and vocals)—have taken their genre-blending mix of Alternative Indie Rock and Psychedelic Punk Rock to stages across the East Coast, captivating audiences with their raw energy and immersive performances. Instagram The WallabiesThe Wallabies are a five piece Chapel Hill based band formed in the Fall of 2024 comprised of college students at the University of North Carolina playing indie, folk, and alternative rock. Their influences are rooted in many different genres, and their first release “All The Animals” will be available on streaming platforms August 2025. Their members are Grant Hutchison (Vocals/Guitar), William Malone (Lead Guitar), Jude Saverino (Bass), Kevin Pacas (Drums), and Ezra Heinberg (Keys). Instagram Davie CircleDavie Circle is an alt-country/folk-rock band based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in their tight-knit college town, the group quickly became a mainstay in the local music scene. Their name comes from a historic street where the band spent countless hours rehearsing, and it perfectly captures the spirit of their roots. Instagram Pilot LightPilot Light is a group of musicians from diverse backgrounds that came together in the Raleigh area, coming from bands such as By George, Bell Tower Blues, and Odd39. They bring an alternative rock sound to the table with hints of blues, pop, and soul. With Mason Stark on lead guitar, Sam Coury on lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Chaandmon Croft on drums, and Ethan Johnson on bass, Pilot Light is always down to get rowdy. Instagram

Saxsquatch

Saxsquatch is a 7’ tall multi-instrumentalist, producer, and electronic music artist from North Carolina. He has accumulated over 3 million followers online through releasing music with legends such as John Oates, Billy Ray Cyrus, the band WAR, and songs with the infamous electronic music label Monstercat. In 2021, Saxsquatch created theme music for Rocket League, and the following year had music featured in Fortnite. Saxsquatch has been trending on Rolling Stone’s website twice and on the front page of Forbes for his music releases. Showcasing his spellbinding stage presence, he has been a guest on Jimmy Fallon’s “That’s My Jam!’ and Tosh.0 and has shared the stage with Walk the Moon, Billy Strings, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sister Hazel, Goldfish, Andy Frasco, Here Come the Mummies, Sam Bush, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Saxsquatch’s live show is a mind bending experience showcasing his music production, stage plot, and saxophone skills over original music, remixes, and crowd participation. His dream of creating the “Bigfoot Rave” tour came to fruition in 2024, adding a laser show to an already dynamic set. His next tour, “Footprints” sold out 27 shows across the United States, ending at a sold out show in Denver at Cervantes Ballroom. After being so well received across the United States and selling out major markets, the search for this cryptid won’t be hard. You can find him on tour or at major festivals across the world. Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify

The Church THE SINGLES: 1980-2025

Few bands enter their fifth decade of making music with all the fierce creative energy of their early years. Even fewer bands are like The Church. Experiencing a renaissance of sorts with their worldwide critically-hailed 26th album The Hypnogogue and its companion 27th album (that also serves as a worthy standalone) Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars, The Church has witnessed their continued impact to astonishingly grow exponentially in audience size and media attention through not only their new albums but a world tour that took them through North America, the UK, Europe and back home to Australia. Coupled with the 2024 vinyl re-issues of their first four albums – Of Skins & Heart, The Blurred Crusade, Séance, and Heyday – their most recent Australian tour was one of their most successful tours to date. The band also launched an exclusive fan community via a partnership with The Chorus, aptly named nightfriends. It is a first for this storied band – an online experience where fans can receive first dibs on concert and new release presales, have access to unreleased songs/demos/live cuts, never before-seen live show video content and concert films, behind-the-music essays about the creation of pivotal albums, exclusive band Q&As and Forum interactions, and much more. 2025 is turning into a banner year for the band, getting ready to turn the page and both explore new music and celebrate their impressive catalog with a slew of live dates. Kicking off with their first-ever ‘Singles-centric’ tour this Summer in North America, they will be digging into their catalogue and playing the songs that launched them into mainstream consciousness, including “Metropolis,” “Ripple,” “C’est La Vie”, and of course, “Reptile” and “Under the Milky Way.” They also have a new album – their 28th! – planned for release later this year. The renowned five-piece line-up is made up of bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey, along with long-time collaborator, drummer, and producer Tim Powles (a member since 1994), guitarist Ian Haug, multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain, and guitarist Ashley Naylor. The Church continue to remain a treasured creative force. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Paint Work Record Release Show

Carrboro’s Paint Work celebrates the release of their debut LP with two stellar local bands that have new music of their own! Alamance County duo Ex Iguana will open the show. Their record “Be a Good Boy” was released in May. Carrboro’s Idol Talk will play second. Their album “Allure” was released in April. Paint Work will close out the evening performing songs from their new self-titled record. We hope you can join the fun! Thanks for supporting local music! Paint Work Bandcamp Idol Talk Bandcamp Ex Iguana Bandcamp

Willa Mae

Willis

WILLIS didn’t blow up overnight — they built something lasting. Formed in Florence, Alabama and now based in Nashville, the band began in 2016 as five childhood friends making music in a bedroom. Nearly a decade later, they’ve grown into one of the most loyal followings in modern indie rock — with over 350 million streams, an RIAA Platinum-certified record, and a fully sold-out national headline tour in 2024. Their breakout track “I Think I Like When It Rains” became a viral anthem, reaching #1 on TikTok’s U.S. chart in 2023 and remaining in the Viral 50 from 2022–2025. WILLIS made their name where it matters most — the stage. Night after night, fans show up in Locals Only tees, singing every word like they’ve been there since day one. What started as a quiet DIY movement has become a full-on live experience. Across their beloved Locals EP series (Locals, Locals 2, Locals 3, Locals 4) and 2024’s debut album I Can’t Thank You Enough, WILLIS has developed a sound that’s warm, rhythmic, and emotionally direct — nostalgic but never stuck in the past. It’s indie rock that leaves a mark. The band continues to evolve while keeping the same heartbeat that’s been there since the beginning: real connection, real fans, and music built to outlast trends. Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | TikTok

Marielle Kraft

When you hear Marielle Kraft’s music or experience her candid live shows, you feel as though you already know her. The indie pop singer/songwriter, now based in Nashville, displays craftsmanship beyond her years, following suit to artists like Colbie Caillat, Maisie Peters, and Taylor Swift. Self-taught, the Rhode Island native began playing guitar at 16 and soon writing songs that strike chords with listeners everywhere. Her gift for storytelling is evident through her use of salient detail, raw emotion, and poignant word choice to describe moments “exactly as they feel.” In spring 2018, she was crowned Grand Champion of the Mid-Atlantic Singer-Songwriter Competition, and the following June she delivered a Tedx Talk at Firefly 2018, discussing the importance of honesty rooted in her songwriting process. Marielle Kraft’s debut studio EP, “The Deep End” landed on July 12th, 2019, featuring fan-favorite tracks like “Toothbrush” and “Better Without You”. Kraft’s first effort is, as described by The Music Mermaid, “song after song of mini pop addictions.” In February 2020, Kraft co-released an “anthemic” and “heart-filled” single with Joshua Howard entitled “In It Together”, which quickly gained support across platforms as an anthem of connection amidst a chapter of isolation during quarantine. Marielle Kraft regularly plays at venues across the United States, sharing stages with names like Mt. Joy, GIRLI, and Amber Liu. She presents her live shows as a seamless narrative: evocative yet encouraging, deeply reflective yet refreshing. The raw authenticity with which Marielle invites listeners into her story cultivates a relationship with them beyond the song, as she is known to “bring together a room full of strangers.” Her “winning personality,” “genuine connection”,” and “gift for story telling” on stage have fueled the ever-growing crowds at each of her shows. In 2021, Marielle Kraft released 4 singles, each of which found major traction on TikTok before becoming studio produced releases. “Everyone But Me” (February 19th), “We Were Never Friends” (March 24th), and “Second Coffee” (July 19th) feature a more developed sound than seen from Marielle before, while her collaboration with Charlie Brennan called “Sidelines” (October 29th) landed on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds” and Apple Music’s “Breaking Singer/Songwriter” playlists. Kraft’s sophomore EP “Heartspace” released on September 30th, 2022 followed by two powerhouse pop singles “Owe My Ex” and “10x Better,” which fueled a nearly sold-out headlining tour across the United States. October 27th, 2023 brought the latest offering from Kraft—an evolved EP of 4 songs, tied together as the concept project called “GOOD.” Co-produced with Nashville’s Quinn Redmond [Stephen Day, Emma Klein], GOOD marks an exciting new chapter for Kraft as she stretches her reach to opposite coasts and wider corners of the internet. Website | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube | Spotify | Bandcamp

Genre: Miscellaneous