North Carolina

Beyonce is currently on her world tour in support of her fantastic new album Lemonade, having just played the Carter-Finley Stadium in North Carolina last night (5/3). After her show -- like Cyndi Lauper, Against Me! and other musicians have done -- she spoke out against the state's anti-LGBT House Bill 2 (the "Bathroom Bill") on her website...

After some musicians canceled their North Carolina shows amid the controversy over the state's extreme anti-LGBT law HB2, Laura Jane Grace recently announced that she won't cancel Against Me!'s North Carolina show and will play it as a form of protest. Cyndi Lauper also said she would not cancel her show. Now, like Laura, she will be using it as a way of bringing awareness to LGBT rights. She's turning it into an LGBT benefit show.

"I think the real danger with HB2 is that it creates a target on transgender people specifically. When you feel targeted as a trans person, the natural inclination is to go into hiding. But visibility is more important than ever; to go there and have the platform of a stage to stand on and speak your mind and represent yourself."

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band will be touring this summer, but the former Beatle has canceled the North Carolina date on the tour (June 18 at Koka Booth Ampitheatre) in protest of the state's anti-LGBT law HB 2.

“Bruce Springsteen is a hero and an icon because he gives voice, both through his music and his advocacy, to those who struggle against injustice and equality.”

) One of the shows we made sure not to miss at this year's Hopscotch Fest in North Carolina, was the all-local bill that featured Megafaun's Phil Cook and many others at Fletcher Opera Theater...

The five-day RadioLoveFest is coming to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in June, featuring various live radio shows with a variety of performers including Andrew Bird, Hamilton Leithauser of the Walkmen, They Might Be Giants, and Jonathan Coulton...

Lost in the Trees, whose last NYC show was at Bowery Ballroom in February, have announced some more dates including a more intimate Brooklyn show on 7/24 at Baby's All Right which is on sale now...

"Hopscotch Music Festival is celebrating its 5th Anniversary this September, 4-6. Featuring more than 160 bands over 3 days in downtown Raleigh, Hopscotch is increasingly recognized for adventurous lineups, incredible performances, and a fan-friendly atmosphere...

Spider Bags at Hopscotch 2011 (more by Alex Broadwell) North Carolina garage rockers Spider Bags are set to head out on a tour supporting fellow NC band Superchunk later this month, which hits NYC on September 27 and 28 at Bowery Ballr...