Beats & Bars Festival: Preview
What to expect from the Triangle’s newest hip-hop festival
This weekend, hip-hop returns to Durham for the inaugural Beats & Bars Festival, hosted by The Underground Collective.
The 2-day event will spotlight performances from some of the area’s best artists, and host panel discussions schooling participants in hip-hop culture.
In a recent interview with INDY Week, festival organizer Crystal Taylor ensures participants that comparisons to DURM Hip-Hop Summit, hosted by Toon & The Real Laww from 2012–2015, are misinformed.
“…Beats & Bars isn’t just shows. It’s a conference that makes sure that people are educated. I wanted there to be a distinct difference.”
Based on the promotion as it stands, it is difficult not to see stark similarities to its predecessors. Over half the lineup are DHHS alumni. The Summit also included daytime programming and a mission to highlight each “pillar” of hip-hop.
Whether by coincidence or careful planning, the festival has caught many of its performers at the right time. Joshua Gunn, P.A.T. Junior, and Kooley High all have buzz from recently released projects (the latter with an additional remix album that is tremendous), and a few artists with much anticipated upcoming releases.
Can Beats & Bars improve where The Summit fell short? It’s hard to know in year one. The organizers are confident the event will bring hip-hop culture back to downtown Durham, but its longevity and impact on the music scene will be the deciding factor on the festival’s legacy.
Tickets are on sale at the UGC website. The full schedule is available below.
