We got the full end of the sonic spectrum here, from some of the chillest indie to the heaviest hardcore. I really suppose that is Richmond boiled down.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Fudge, Ranfeld
Thursday July 16th at The Camel
Got some groovy indie rock coming up from North Carolina this week. Fudge is drawing real close to dance away a beautiful Thursday night at The Camel. They are fun, fun, fun and nothing short of romantic sounding. I think if you’re a Cellar Dwellers fan, you’ll make conversation quite easily with Fudge. They have that same carefree late night party feel to them that makes you melt away. I think this bouncy indie rock sound will come to define many late nights for young adults in the 2020s. This is soundtrack music for memories you’ll hold dear.
Supporting the North Carolinians is local act Ranfeld. The group is made up of seasoned VCU music alumni, and you can certainly tell. They are working in a broadly indie sound, but there are heaps of jazz influence and more experimental approaches to songwriting. The group knows how to get down to the elbows in a groove and expand an idea past where the layman could take it. There is just so much meat and potatoes in the songwriting here. There is a lot to explore and a lot to love.
Tommie’s House, Valentin Prince, Dorée, Alberto Sifuentes Jr.
Friday July 17th at Gallery 5
The debut Tommie’s House record is right around the corner, thank God. Tommie’s House really caught my attention with the release of their first single, “Honeystain,” a little less than a year ago. The tune was on heavy rotation in my car, as was the follow-up double single. The vocals of singer Chez are just unmatched. They absolutely make you melt. Sonically, I think it takes some of the upbeat and electronic elements of their previous group, Lobby Boy, but recontextualizes them into something a little more songwriter-focused, which all works quite well together. It has all the joy of pop and all the intimacy of a singer on a stool with an acoustic guitar. I cannot wait to hear the full record because these singles have already blown me away.
Supporting the party is Valentin Prince. Prince is a bit of it all; it’s jazzy, it’s poppy, it’s got a dash of psychedelic. If you are hungry, Valentin Prince is cooking something you’ll like. This band is equal parts easily accessible and a band’s band. No matter what end of the spectrum you’re on, you’re going to be grooving.
Dorée is coming down from NYC for the celebration. They are going to be up close and personal with a stripped-back guitar and vocal set. It is going to be soft and sincere, and if I had to guess, perfectly still as Dorée strums away a gentle melody and croons something sweet.
Last up we have Alberto Sifuentes Jr., who only has one release out as far as I can see. I will tell you what, this one release is fucking great. You can find it on Bandcamp as part of the Artists United Against Genocide compilation. The song “Violent Computer” is a slow but bouncy little tune that is subtle but memorable and harks back to sweet bedroom pop and the more hypnotic Velvet Underground songs.
Killing Pace, New World Man, Spikepit, Against the World
Thursday July 18th at The Camel
Richmond hardcore/metal sweethearts Killing Pace are finally celebrating the release of their first LP. The group dropped the record back in February but have been busy touring Europe. This record is absolutely vicious. It pulls no punches, delivering pure speed and violence the whole way through. I think the group has a genuine chance to shake the foundations of The Camel at this show. Calling this group hardcore or metal is not doing it justice. This is truly the purest combination of the two. It is sinister and beautiful, and I can only imagine how insane this is going to be live.
We got New World Man supporting. These New Yorkers are hard-hitting and coming in with vengeance. They are metalcore, pure and simple. Get your mouthguard in when they play. People are going to be diving, teeth are going to be knocked out, and all that good stuff. In the fray is also Virginia Beach group Spikepit. They have a more traditional modern hardcore sound, going faster than light and harder than a runaway truck. I really love the grooves they get into. It gets you moving even when you’re alone in your room.
Last up we have Against the World. These guys are at the more hardcore punk end of the spectrum, and I like it. Their guitars are chugging and shredding, and the whole band moves like a train with no brakes. Overall, this should be an insane show, certainly one for the books.
Cat Power, The Greatest 20th Anniversary Tour
Wednesday July 22nd at The Broadberry
Twenty years after releasing what many consider her defining album, Cat Power is taking The Greatest back on the road. The acclaimed singer-songwriter will perform the 2006 record in its entirety when The Greatest 20th Anniversary Tour stops at The Broadberry on Wednesday, July 22. Richmond is one of a limited number of North American dates before the tour continues through Europe and the United Kingdom this fall.
Released in January 2006, The Greatest marked a turning point for Chan Marshall. Recorded at Memphis’ legendary Ardent Studios with an ensemble of veteran soul musicians, the album became her highest-charting release at the time, reaching No. 34 on the Billboard 200. It also earned widespread critical acclaim, landing on numerous year-end best-of lists and winning the 2006 Shortlist Music Prize.
The anniversary tour arrives as interest in the record has been renewed following the recent release of Redux, a three-song companion EP, and fresh critical reassessments of the album’s lasting influence. Both Pitchfork and Consequence included the tour among their most anticipated live outings of 2026. — Tony
NEW RVA TUNES
Third First World by Destruct
If you are looking for something to pair with that last show, try “Third First World” by Destruct off their new split with Canadian punks Absolut. It is some fast, fast, fast hardcore punk that borders on noise rock with its wall of fuzz coming from the guitars. It is harsh and packed, but it works. Everything loses its own shape and blends into one another, and suddenly the vocals are drums and the bass is a guitar. Definitely a good record to turn on when you’re trying to hit a new gym PR.
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