I played a show last night with the Georgia Fireflies. I’m not sure how it came up, but we were standing around back stage and found ourselves suddenly talking about Chapel Hill, NC. We had all been there, some a few times, either playing shows or just daytripping from a nearby city. We all agreed on one thing about Chapel Hill: we don’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’s a cool city, but not one of us ever really enjoyed hanging out there. It looks good on paper: college town, cool local bands, rock clubs, record/book stores, etc. But, for some reason, it just doesn’t add up. There’s like one main street, some barely decent restaurants and you can walk around the whole downtown area in about 30 minutes tops. After that, it’s like, huh?
So, if you know why Chapel Hill is a cool town, or can explain its charms, will you please let me know? Any cool areas that I and all my friends missed for some reason? Like, is there this insane skate park, with elephant rides and killer home brew situated a few blocks off the main drag? I’m genuinely curious because I want to like that town, but can’t help feeling that Athens, GA blows it out of the water. Prove me wrong, internets.