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Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses

In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement.

Business

Rob Belk, 35, grew up in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" target="_self">Charlotte</a>, selling ladies&#x27; shoes at the SouthPark mall Belk, his family&#x27;s eponymous department store — a grind that instilled in him an entrepreneurial bug. Earlier this year, he purchased Sales Factory, a Greensboro marketing and insights agency that&#x27;s been around since 1984.Why it matters: In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement — part of a phenomenon dubbed the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="silver tsunami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" target="_self">silver tsunami</a>&quot; that&#x27;s resulting in a massive transfer of wealth.

North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary

North Carolina is one of 12 states allowed to bid to be one of the first primary states in 2028.

Politics

North Carolina Democrats are lobbying to make the state one of the first presidential primary contests in 2028, arguing the state reflects the rest of the U.S., given its growing and diverse <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="3aa3de09-b521-4564-befe-543e59dd7aa1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" target="_self">population</a>.Why it matters: If selected, North Carolina could hold a large influence over which candidate ultimately secures the nomination. It could also attract tens of millions of dollars of investments into statewide campaigns.

The Triangle's college grad boom

The Triangle's universities continue to power the region's growth

News

The Triangle has been one of the leading regions for adding residents with college degrees since the pandemic, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">report</a> from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. Why it matters: The Triangle has long prided itself on how much talent its universities produce, helping make the region one of the biggest areas for job growth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over the past decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" target="_blank">over the past decade</a>.

Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding

Renovations are ongoing at many businesses, while others have closed completely.

More than seven months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Chantal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" target="_self">Tropical Storm Chantal</a> significantly flooded parts of Chapel Hill, businesses at the popular Eastgate Crossing shopping center are still working to clean up the mess.Why it matters: The lingering effects of Chantal, which dumped more than 7 inches of rain in 12 hours, have shown just how damaging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fast-forming tropical storms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" target="_self">fast-forming tropical storms</a> can be amid intensifying climate change.<ul><li>Chantal caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than $56 million worth of damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" target="_blank">more than $56 million worth of damage</a> in Orange County, much of that at Eastgate Crossing. </li></ul>

PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state's rich music culture

The show airs performances and interviews of bands and artists from across the state.

Music

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shaped by Sound" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/show/shaped-by-sound/" data-vars-content-id="730c9f3b-87b1-4a42-b23b-746168a9a296" data-vars-headline="PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state&#x27;s rich music culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/show/shaped-by-sound/" target="_blank">Shaped by Sound</a>, PBS North Carolina&#x27;s platform for highlighting the work of the state&#x27;s musicians, is back with a packed season 2. Why it matters: At a time when PBS North Carolina is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grappling with tough budget cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/23/pbs-north-carolina-grapples-with-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="730c9f3b-87b1-4a42-b23b-746168a9a296" data-vars-headline="PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state&#x27;s rich music culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/23/pbs-north-carolina-grapples-with-budget-cuts" target="_self">grappling with tough budget cuts</a>, the television station continues to forge ahead with one of its most ambitious productions.

Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown

Raleigh Wide Open is billed as the heir to the World of Bluegrass Festival, which decamped for Tennessee.

When the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://raleighwideopen.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22947905723&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBGRjD8Q8Adc_2V3qE7WixDubj2oe&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxfjGBhAUEiwAKWPwDnO-ICsMZ6_8xvODPNYlwTSv3K51i4dTkBq0JMLtp1KCnJioT4dAHBoClqQQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="968c02ee-6ffc-496d-bf62-9ac185891696" data-vars-headline="Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raleighwideopen.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22947905723&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBGRjD8Q8Adc_2V3qE7WixDubj2oe&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxfjGBhAUEiwAKWPwDnO-ICsMZ6_8xvODPNYlwTSv3K51i4dTkBq0JMLtp1KCnJioT4dAHBoClqQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival</a> hosts its inaugural festival downtown on Friday and Saturday, organizers hope the vast majority of people won&#x27;t notice much of anything new at all. Why it matters: After more than a decade in the City of Oaks, the International Bluegrass Music Association&#x27;s annual conference and World of Bluegrass <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="held its last festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/26/world-of-bluegrass-returns-for-one-last-ride" data-vars-content-id="968c02ee-6ffc-496d-bf62-9ac185891696" data-vars-headline="Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/26/world-of-bluegrass-returns-for-one-last-ride" target="_self">held its last festival</a> in downtown Raleigh last year, decamping for Tennessee. <ul><li>Raleigh Wide Open wants to pick up right where IBMA&#x27;s event left things — continuing a tradition of free bluegrass concerts up and down Fayetteville Street that tens of thousands of people became accustomed to. </li></ul>

Durham's influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company

Merge Records, founded in Chapel Hill 35 years ago, has become one of the most influential music labels.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Merge Records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mergerecords.com/" data-vars-content-id="c207e62c-ac94-4744-9baa-fae76fdb6acb" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mergerecords.com/" target="_blank">Merge Records</a>, a Durham music label that has become influential in the independent music scene <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over the past 35 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/22/durhams-influential-indie-music-label-merge-records-turns-35" data-vars-content-id="c207e62c-ac94-4744-9baa-fae76fdb6acb" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/22/durhams-influential-indie-music-label-merge-records-turns-35" target="_self">over the past 35 years</a>, has sold a 50% stake in the company — a move that the label hopes will provide more distribution resources for its artists.Why it matters: Founded by Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance as a way to release the music of their own band, Superchunk, Merge has become a powerhouse in the industry, putting out records by bands like Arcade Fire, Spoon, Neutral Milk Hotel and the Magnetic Fields.<ul><li>It&#x27;s also an important incubator of the Triangle&#x27;s own music scene, bringing its artists through the area&#x27;s venues and giving local bands like Hiss Golden Messenger, Rosali and H.C. McEntire a launchpad to new audiences.</li></ul>

Organizers unveil the future of Raleigh's Dreamville Festival

The organizers of Raleigh's Dreamville Festival said Thursday they will continue to host a music festival in the city under a new brand.

Raleigh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dreamville Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="d5737045-3d8b-45c8-9099-afcf8bcc7008" data-vars-headline="Organizers unveil the future of Raleigh&#x27;s Dreamville Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" target="_self">Dreamville Festival</a> will continue in the city under a new brand, Sascha Stone Guttfreund, a promoter with Dreamville and Live Nation, said in a news conference Thursday with Raleigh officials. Why it matters: The news, which comes two days before the fifth Dreamville is set to begin, is welcome after North Carolina-born rapper J. Cole announced earlier this year that this festival would be the last in its current form.

Pop-up shops and parties: 19 things to do this Dreamville Festival week

Looking for things to do outside of Dreamville? Here are events happening April 2-6 in Raleigh including pop-up shops, parties, brunch, games nights, after parties, run clubs, music industry leader discussions, free events and more.

Things to Do

Experiencing FOMO for not getting a ticket to the last <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dreamville Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/30/3-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-dreamville-festival-325126" data-vars-content-id="dde29d62-581c-4aa5-89eb-f039a1680113" data-vars-headline="Pop-up shops and parties: 19 things to do this Dreamville Festival week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/30/3-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-dreamville-festival-325126" target="_self">Dreamville Festival</a> or looking for things to do while you&#x27;re in town? Here are 19 events happening in Raleigh so you can participate in the festivities all week long.

Durham musician Phil Cook's new album is for the birds

A wood thrush sings in E-flat — a fact the prolific Durham musician Phil Cook discovered while interpreting the sounds of Orange County woods on his piano.

A wood thrush <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc" data-vars-content-id="3648d755-1e87-439b-a80a-a349aef32a2f" data-vars-headline="Durham musician Phil Cook&#x27;s new album is for the birds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc" target="_blank">sings</a> in E-flat — a fact the prolific Durham musician Phil Cook discovered while interpreting the sounds of the Orange County woods on his piano.Why it matters: Cook&#x27;s latest album, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Appalachian Borealis" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/album/3cAjAnLW6B0D7jqSctRzft?si=AlGaJ7yXQmuH2W9ksgHBLA" data-vars-content-id="3648d755-1e87-439b-a80a-a349aef32a2f" data-vars-headline="Durham musician Phil Cook&#x27;s new album is for the birds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3cAjAnLW6B0D7jqSctRzft?si=AlGaJ7yXQmuH2W9ksgHBLA" target="_blank">Appalachian Borealis</a>&quot; — 11 stripped-down piano works, many featuring recordings from the fields and woods of North Carolina&#x27;s Piedmont — holds a mirror to the quiet moments spent with nature and to what life felt like for Cook while quarantined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Street closing next month as work starts on Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater

A portion of South Street in downtown Raleigh will close permanently to prepare.

A portion of South Street in downtown Raleigh will close permanently next month, as pre-construction work is expected to begin on the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Red Hat Amphitheater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/07/24/raleigh-red-hat-amphitheater-concerts-relocation-jeopardy" data-vars-content-id="c92f31dc-dcc3-42cb-b468-a60007699813" data-vars-headline="South Street closing next month as work starts on Raleigh&#x27;s Red Hat Amphitheater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/07/24/raleigh-red-hat-amphitheater-concerts-relocation-jeopardy" target="_self">Red Hat Amphitheater</a>. Why it matters: Red Hat Amphitheater, the popular music venue owned by the city, is being relocated a block to the south to create room for an expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center and continue to provide concerts in the heart of downtown.<ul><li>Across 50 concerts last year, the venue had an economic impact of $33 million, according to a presentation by Kerry Painter, the director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. </li></ul>Driving the news: The Raleigh City Council voted this month to authorize one of the first construction contracts for the amphitheater in the hopes that it can open in time for the 2026 concert season. <ul><li>That timeline could be hard to meet at this point due to some delays that have already occurred in the design and permitting phase of construction — though the city says it&#x27;s committed to not cutting short any of its concert seasons. </li><li>&quot;Once they have a better understanding of the impacts the delays in those steps have caused, [city staff] will update City Council and the community on the timeline for the amphitheater and convention center,&quot; Julia Milstead, a spokesperson for the city, told Axios in an email. </li></ul>The latest: Painter showed the Raleigh City Council updated renderings of the planned amphitheater this month, revealing textured sidewalks around the entrances to the venue and streets lined with trees to improve the acoustics. <ul><li>Some details are still subject to change, Painter said. </li><li>The city also remains in conversation with the state&#x27;s Department of Transportation over a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="connector lane" data-vars-click-url="https://raleighnc.gov/community/services/plans-connectivity-and-routing-around-red-hat-amphitheater" data-vars-content-id="c92f31dc-dcc3-42cb-b468-a60007699813" data-vars-headline="South Street closing next month as work starts on Raleigh&#x27;s Red Hat Amphitheater" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raleighnc.gov/community/services/plans-connectivity-and-routing-around-red-hat-amphitheater" target="_blank">connector lane</a> to help with traffic around the venue. </li></ul>State of play: To create enough room to build an amphitheater large enough to attract some of the country&#x27;s most popular musical acts, the Raleigh City Council moved last year to close a block of South Street between McDowell and Dawson streets. <ul><li>The move was controversial — with some residents expressing concerns over a lack of communication and a loss of one road connection between downtown and Boylan Heights — but ultimately went through.</li><li>The street is now expected to close April 14. </li><li>The vote to approve the construction contract received only one no vote — from new council member Mitch Silver who said he was still &quot;struggling with the closure of South Street.&quot; </li></ul><figure><img alt="A rendering of an entrance to Red Hat Amphitheater" height="619" id="81d1e124-8139-48f1-8719-badf58eb2310" src="https://images.axios.com/_9p2YrmakXlha3ICGdFgsBoaSkw=/2025/03/10/1741628422396.png" width="925"/><figcaption>A rendering of a potential entrance to the amphitheater. Photo: City of Raleigh</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="A rendering of the view from the state of Red Hat" height="650" id="82587c34-c5f8-4bed-9d5c-bf5116db028e" src="https://images.axios.com/QU3SQd54YdeSd7K2fWP7ITitVLU=/2025/03/10/1741628462127.png" width="965"/><figcaption>A rendering of the potential view from the stage. Photo: City of Raleigh</figcaption></figure><figure><img alt="An overhead rendering of Red Hat Amphitheater" height="650" id="f63f421e-9a13-4b27-9935-a0412f0ab581" src="https://images.axios.com/SginGzBIV3XB-6CfvbknSLRoJOA=/2025/03/10/1741628493509.png" width="881"/><figcaption>An overhead view of the Red Hat expansion. Photo: City of Raleigh</figcaption></figure>

Prolific Triangle songwriter Aaron Dowdy is gaining recognition

Rising Durham band Fust is out with its biggest album yet

Aaron Dowdy is constantly writing songs — recording on his phone the melodies that loop in his head or jotting down lyrics with the pen he always keeps in his breast pocket. <ul><li>It&#x27;s something he&#x27;s been doing since middle school, producing countless demos in his bedroom that most people have never heard. </li></ul>Why it matters: His music is now finding its biggest audiences yet, as his Durham-based band <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fust" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/70kEs7OMlk8egbrVvRlOIv?si=uwdbP3PLQCG8zOre4yItaw" data-vars-content-id="8e596c72-f38d-479a-8da2-078cd7ff079a" data-vars-headline="Prolific Triangle songwriter Aaron Dowdy is gaining recognition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/70kEs7OMlk8egbrVvRlOIv?si=uwdbP3PLQCG8zOre4yItaw" target="_blank">Fust</a> has slowly drawn attention from fans and critics alike in the past few years. (The influential music site Stereogum named Fust one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best new bands of 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/14/fust-best-new-band-stereogum" data-vars-content-id="8e596c72-f38d-479a-8da2-078cd7ff079a" data-vars-headline="Prolific Triangle songwriter Aaron Dowdy is gaining recognition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/14/fust-best-new-band-stereogum" target="_self">best new bands of 2023</a>.)<ul><li>Dowdy, also a Ph.D. literature candidate at Duke, has risen to become one of the Triangle&#x27;s most prolific songwriters. He&#x27;s released dozens of tunes exploring the parts of southern Virginia where he grew up, the area&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="towns in decline" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/track/6iQv6I6HGEIEdGgvHK0spz?si=5ce6fd434d154fc0" data-vars-content-id="8e596c72-f38d-479a-8da2-078cd7ff079a" data-vars-headline="Prolific Triangle songwriter Aaron Dowdy is gaining recognition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6iQv6I6HGEIEdGgvHK0spz?si=5ce6fd434d154fc0" target="_blank">towns in decline</a>, and rich character studies of the people who inhabit them.</li></ul>

GloRilla to perform at the 2025 Dreamville Festival

Past festival lineups have typically featured notable female rappers, and GloRilla, a Grammy-nominated artist, is sure to be a major draw.

Rapper GloRilla will perform at Raleigh&#x27;s Dreamville Festival this spring. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Past festival lineups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/15/axios-raleigh-artist-predictions-dreamville-festival-2025" data-vars-content-id="6553c99f-ec2a-4259-b936-773198421031" data-vars-headline="GloRilla to perform at the 2025 Dreamville Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/15/axios-raleigh-artist-predictions-dreamville-festival-2025" target="_self">Past festival lineups</a> have typically featured notable female rappers, and GloRilla — a Grammy-nominated artist who skyrocketed to fame with her 2022 anthem &quot;FNF (Let&#x27;s Go)&quot; — is sure to be a major draw.

Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025

A list of artists that could make an appearance at the final Dreamville Festival in Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park April 5-6, 2025.

J. Cole&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="final Dreamville Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" target="_self">final Dreamville Festival</a> will be April 5-6 at Dorothea Dix Park. Following the announcement of recent festival headliners and acts at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bonnaroo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/08/bonnaroo-music-festival-2025-headliners-luke-combs-olivia-rodrigo" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/01/08/bonnaroo-music-festival-2025-headliners-luke-combs-olivia-rodrigo" target="_self">Bonnaroo</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Field &amp; Stream Music Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/08/eric-church-miranda-lambert-field-stream-music-fest-southern-entertainment-south-carolina-winnsboro-country-music" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/01/08/eric-church-miranda-lambert-field-stream-music-fest-southern-entertainment-south-carolina-winnsboro-country-music" target="_self">Field &amp; Stream Music Fest</a>, we started wondering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="who will be featured" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/12/11/our-artist-predictions-for-dreamville-festival-2024-345938" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/12/11/our-artist-predictions-for-dreamville-festival-2024-345938" target="_self">who will be featured</a> in Dreamville&#x27;s 2025 lineup.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Since" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/10/dreamville-festival-j-cole-will-return-raleigh-2025" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/10/dreamville-festival-j-cole-will-return-raleigh-2025" target="_self">Since</a> its 2019 debut, Dreamville has become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a signature social and cultural annual event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/04/04/dreamville-plots-2024-return-to-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="c85fba54-44d3-4100-9b15-5be2533d5281" data-vars-headline="Our artist predictions for Dreamville Festival 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/04/04/dreamville-plots-2024-return-to-raleigh" target="_self">a signature social and cultural annual event</a>, putting North Carolina on the global stage and regularly bringing around 100,000 visitors to Dorothea Dix Park.