For the ninth year in a row, NCSU's student-run radio station WKNC 88.1 FM will be showcasing some of the best local flavor with not one, but two nights of performances by local bands including The Future Kings of Nowhere, Organos, Gross Ghost and Heads on Sticks.
On Feb. 3 and 4, the radio station is holding its annual fund-raising event, Double Barrel Benefit 9, which provides the community with a showcase of local music.
“My favorite thing about the Triangle music scene is the variety of venues we have and the enthusiasm and dedication of local music listeners,” said Rebekah Zabarsky, a student at NCSU and a WKNC DJ. “Also, people of the Triangle really support our local bands.”
The Pour House in Raleigh will be hosting the event and tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 a night or $15 for both nights. For those under 21, there will be an additional $5 surcharge at the door.
Historically, the lineups for Double Barrel Benefit represent a diverse cross-section of Triangle music. With such a large pool of local musicians to choose from, compiling the lineup for this year's benefit proved to be quite an extensive process for the station's DJs and planning committee members. Since its first year, Double Barrel Benefit has hosted several big-name acts that claim North Carolina as home, including Roman Candle, Megafaun and The Mountain Goats.
“For choosing bands this year, the planning committee sat down and came up with a list of bands we thought would be a good fit for DBB 9,” said Nicole Kligerman, a student at NCSU and a WKNC DJ. “From there we pulled all our contacts and asked the bands, not all at once, but once we heard yes/no from a few we would ask a few more.
Although the event has remained relatively the format each year, a two-night gig of eight bands total, this year there will be some new additions.
“Both nights will be great but Saturday we're having a day market where local vendors will sell their handmade goods,” Zabarsky said. “It's the first time we've done something like this and there will be some cool art and items to buy.“
The day party consists of the market and a show at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub in Raleigh on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 1 pm to 5 pm. Musicians including Baobab, Juan Huevos, Jeff Crawford and Luego will peform starting at 1 pm at Tir Na Nog, which is conveniently located next to The Pour House, where Double Barrel Benefit will culminate with Saturday night's show.
“We're expecting a pretty full house, obviously we want a sold out show!” Kligerman said. “All the money goes directly to WKNC, which is really important to the station since we don't really get a lot of school funding.”
