The Scene

A collection of 28 posts

The Scene

Phuzz Phest Is a State Of Mind

A dispatch from the scrappy Winston-Salem music festival where every choice is the right one, time is merely a construct, and the wandering is half the point.

The Scene

In a Small Pocket of Charlotte No-Man's-Land, Ahmir Foreshadows the Funk to Come

And other notes from last weekend's '4theloveoftheeame' listening party.

The Scene

The Spellbinding Alchemy of MAVI 🪄

Spirit catching, puppet mastery, reanimation, and more at last weekend's BIG Culture and Arts Festival in Florida. PLUS: Our upcoming launch parties, and more events to have on your radar.

The Scene

The People's Party ☕️

The radical potential of Charlotte's growing cafe culture. PLUS: Cyanca on the cover of Issue 1, and new music from Sonny Miles, Steezie, Maasho & more.

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The Scene

Oh, Will We Enjoy The Hang Out

Art as an excuse to spend time with your people. Plus: Yoh Phillips on The Fall-Off, and more new music on the Tuesday Mixtape.

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The Scene

Raleigh's Unsound Decision

A new noise ordinance in the City of Oaks continues the time-worn tradition of embracing culture until culture becomes inconvenient. Plus: a new album from DaBaby, and new songs/music videos in this week's Tuesday Mixtape.

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The Scene

What Does The Future Hold For Live Music In The 919?

Following the closures of Missy Lane’s and PS37, one artist reflects on the challenges—and irreplaceable value—of the indie scene. Plus: more new music and an essay for Pigeons & Planes in an icy edition of The Tuesday Mixtape.

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The Scene

Durham Blues 🔵

Tomorrow night, a fixture of Bull City hip-hop returns to the fray. Plus: J. Cole's "The Fall-Off," Deniro Farrar's "Raw Materials," and more.

The Scene

Chicks & Rhymes, Vol. 5: A Listening Experience

Durham emcee Watty Z previews the upcoming mixtape from Defacto Thezpian.

Q&A

In Charlotte, Hip-Hop Scholarship Isn't Just For The Ivory Tower

Talking with dance professor Ashley Tate about her upcoming three-day hip-hop symposium, and the importance of integrating cultural studies and everyday life in Charlotte.

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The Scene

Rebirth of the Cool

Talking with Art of Cool cofounder Cicely Mitchell about the upcoming Missy Lane's Block Party — a years-in-the-making tribute to jazz, Durham, and do-overs.

The Scene

PHOTOS: Raleighwood Fest 2025

A milestone indie music moment in Raleigh, through the lenses of Isaac Aiello and Jeyhoun Allebaugh.

The Scene

Good 'Wood

SE's photo editor reflects on Raleighwood Fest 2025.

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The Scene

LesTheGenius and Ricky Ricardo's In-State Intuition

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The Scene

What Happened to Hip-Hop at Hopscotch?

The latest Hopscotch lineup is a sign that the genre isn’t being taken seriously by the festival — or by the Triangle region as a whole.

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The Scene

And We're Just Getting Started: Reuben & Friends Celebrates Year 2 on Juneteenth

Righteousness! A Thursday night in CLT, celebrating Black artistry.

The Scene

The Hang, Vol. 2

Back outside for our collab mix with Mikey Sharks and One Speaker Radio.

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The Scene

A Family Reunion, And The Start of a Highly Anticipated Album Rollout

Notes from Cyanca's KATINA listening party in Charlotte.

The Scene

Dreamville Fest Is Too Good of a Party — And Business — To Shut Down

A dispatch from the not-so-final installment of Dreamville, the biggest spectacle in North Carolina music.

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The Scene

Once Upon a Time... on Glenwood

BreYonnaBeats looks back on the catharsis and communal spirit of the 2009 Raleigh nightlife series known as Tigallo's Two Step Thursdays.

The Scene

Til Death Do Us Art and Super Empty Present: Live From Teardrop FM

A stacked lineup brings a bit of everything to Kings Raleigh on May 10th.

The Scene

Letter From Raleigh: For Onyx

After an indelible night at The Pour House, Tab One reflects on parenthood, resilience, and the welcome sight of a community coming together as one.

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The Scene

Live From The 828

Five new releases show off the talent pouring out of the (oft-overlooked) mountains of North Carolina.

The Scene

Khalil Nasim Makes An Appearance

An intimate Tuesday night in Raleigh serves as the debut for a promising new album, a testament to perseverance, and a reminder of the enduring power of the listening party.

The Scene

Genius Bars

The 24th edition of the stalwart RDU hip-hop event "The Genius Party" gets everyone involved — from producers, to vocalists, to attendees themselves.