Note: Authored by David Menconi, this piece has been produced in partnership with Raleigh Arts. Menconi's latest book, "Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music," was published in the fall of 2023 by University of North Carolina Press. His podcast, Carolina Calling, explores the history of the Tar Heel State through music.

A downtown Raleigh tradition since 1980, Artsplosure - The Raleigh Arts Festival will return for its 46th edition the weekend of May 17-18, 2025. There will be a wide range of art and attractions, but the setting is familiar from years past--a four-block expanse of Raleigh’s “Main Street” thoroughfare, Fayetteville St., bookended by City Plaza at the southern end and Morgan St. to the north. And as always, it’s all free.

“All of the changes for this year are programmatic,” says Cameron Laws, creative director of Artsplosure. “Everything else will be the Artsplosure experience that people have come to know and love over the years--fun programming and a big art market with more than 170 artists up and down Fayetteville St.”

In 1980, Artsplosure made its debut with a name riffing on an “explosion” and “exposure” of art. Early on, events were centered around Moore Square before moving several blocks west to Fayetteville Street in recent years. After going on hiatus during the Covid pandemic, it has come back strong the past few years.

For the 45-year anniversary last year, Artsplosure 2024 featured a lineup of performers with a heavy emphasis on New Orleans and Cajun music. This year’s lineup draws from closer to home. There are a number of acts that organizers selected out of a local call for bands, plus headliners that span the state. From the coast, rock band Zack Mexico tops Sunday’s bill; and from further inland, the Bynum-based roots-music duo Chatham Rabbits close things out on Saturday.

“Past that milestone from last year, we wanted to make this year a real North Carolina celebration to say thank you to all the people who have made it happen over the last four-plus decades,” says Laws. “I was joking with the team that it’s like we’re bringing in both Eastern and Western North Carolina barbecue sauce to the party, with Zack Mexico and Chatham Rabbits.”

A popular, by now almost time-honored attraction is “Song Confessional,” which is back for a fifth year in 2025. Set up in City Plaza, it’s a trailer that’s been converted into a recording facility where festival-goers can record anonymous confessions. They’re then given to local musicians like Blue Cactus and Mipso fiddler Libby Rodenbough, who use them as songwriting prompts.

“At this point, there’s enough recorded material for a miniature EP of songs done at Artsplosure,” notes Laws. “We’re excited to keep that rolling.”

Another key recurrent will be “Art Putt,” a nine-hole miniature golf course in which each hole is themed around different North Carolina icons, with a surrealist take. Also back is Kidsplosure, and physical activity to start both days--Club Cardio on Saturday, and Club Pilates on Sunday.

Still coming together is an immersive sound installation crafted by Future Islands bassist William Cashion. You can keep up with full schedule and details at artsplosure.org.

ARTSPLOSURE 2025 LIVE PERFORMANCE LINEUP

Sat., May 17

• 11am-noon – Club Cardio featuring “Step Reloaded”
• 12:05-12:45pm – TBA
• 1:15-2pm – Africa Unplugged
• 2:30-3:15pm – Coconut Cake
• 4:45-4:45pm – Monsoon
• 5:15-6pm – Cure for Paranoia
• 6:30-7:30pm – Chatham Rabbits

Sun., May 18

• 10-11am – Club Pilates
• 11:05-11:45am – TBA
• 12:15-1pm – Também
• 1:30-2:15pm – Wilson Springs Hotel
• 2:45-3:30pm – Sydney Ross Mitchell
• 4-4:45pm – Humbird
• 5:15-6:15pm – Zack Mexico

^{Photos by Brett Villena}