Richmond’s music scene doesn’t rest, it just changes outfits. French Police, Angelica Garcia, Hot Water Music, they’re all passing through, if you’ve been waiting for a reason to leave the house that isn’t work or groceries, this is it. — Tony
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit up Griffin at griffin@rvamag.com.
French Police, Social Order
Friday, November 7th
Richmond Music Hall
French Police are Chicago’s current ticket on the goth bill. They find themselves right in the sweet spot of pop intuition, balanced with more experimental and unique sensibilities. They’re really hard to deny. Every drumbeat gets your toes tapping, and the synths know their way to your soul. The vocals are dreamy and distant something drifting across misty midnight fields. This is a great band to usher in those dark nights and fresh cold chills.
Social Order hails from the alluring and mysterious streets of Las Vegas. They lean further toward the pop front than the aforementioned French Police but stay in that realm of reverberating, cold drums and synth-driven sounds. There’s a whole lot of movement in this band, nothing sits still, and you’ll be on the move.
Angelica Garcia, Kenneka Cook, Shera Shi
Saturday, October 8th
The Camel
Angelica Garcia returns home to Richmond, taking the stage at The Camel this weekend.. With a perfect blend of traditional pop and Latin American influence, Garcia stands out as a truly unique artist. Her sound explores too much to be easily defined or limited, but what’s certain is that she has an ear for a hit and an eye for the dramatic. The songs are paced in a way that feels cinematic, there are powerful highs and tense lows, a recipe for undivided attention. I’d highly recommend the song “Juanita” as a great standard for what Garcia has to offer.
Up next is a local artist who’s really caught my attention: Kenneka Cook. With an outspoken and well-calculated voice, Cook is a powerful force in Richmond right now. Check out “If I Was a Letter,” a recent track she was featured on, she’s direct and knows how to make it happen.
Shera Shi is the other local on the bill, taking an atmospheric approach to soul music with some indie rock influence that fits perfectly in Richmond’s scene. They can throw down a serious groove, one that guarantees head bobs and toe taps.
Hot Water Music, Bane, Spaced
Sunday, November 9th
The Broadberry
Post-hardcore, emo, and punk legends Hot Water Music are taking the big stage this week. They always felt a little more evolved than their peers as they were coming up in the ’90s, constantly pushing into new territory. Even when they got more experimental, they never lost the directness of punk rock—throwing chaotic, unforgettable live shows. This band just prints anthems. Every song is iconic and memorable, the kind that keeps you listening because you simply can’t stop.
In support is Bane, a ’90s Boston hardcore band that still hits like a truck. Vocals are pummeled out with raw intensity, and the riffs and chord progressions carry that same anthemic energy amid the storm of blast beats. The crowd’s going to be a choppy sea when these guys go on.
Last up, we have SPACED from Buffalo, N.Y. They’re playing that real, digestible hardcore in the vein of Militarie Gun. I love how alive these guys sound, you can tell they live and breathe this music. It’s why they get up in the morning and why they drink water. That’s the sign of a great band.
New Tunes
‘Rubber Man’ by Sprawl
The relatively new local band Sprawl have just released their debut album entitled Rubber Man. Overall it is a well produced and tight sounding album. I think my standout tracks are “Frayed” a sort of Husker Du-esque power pop tune, “Shutout” that meets somewhere between the Strokes and Fugazi, and “Sedition” which has its own unique spoken word. This band clearly has a spark to write some songs, to get out there and be heard, and I think they deserve it.
‘Misty and More’ by Zack Cross
This EP by local pianist Zack Cross is coming at the perfect time. These three tracks have windy, leaf-strewn streets all over them. This is a perfect autumn accompaniment, pop the headphones in and run it track 1-3. The first 2 tracks seem a bit more playful and light, and then the final track, “Autumn In New York,” comes out and has you gazing across empty boulevards and forgotten places. Truly a beautiful work, this EP, I expect to get some good use out of this over the coming months.
Main photo of Angelica Garcia by Charlotte Rea
Support RVA Magazine. Support Independent Media in Richmond.
At a time when media ownership is increasingly concentrated among corporations and the wealthy, RVA Magazine has remained one of Richmond’s few independent voices. Since 2005, the magazine has provided grassroots coverage of the city’s artists, musicians, and communities, documenting the culture that defines Richmond beyond the headlines.
But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2, one-time or recurring, helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE.
We’ve got merch HERE
Subscribe to the Substack HERE
And Reddit HERE
And YouTube HERE
