AMERICANA & BLUES




more in music

Photos | the Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse on Brown’s island

Sunday night’s show on Brown’s Island felt like a ritual, maybe even a communion, as a field full of strangers came together under clear skies and perfect weather. Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, and opener Friko gave the crowd exactly what we came for. Modest Mouse...

The Head and The Heart Bring Aperture Home to Richmond

This Friday, The Head and The Heart will return to the stage in Richmond for the first time in awhile by headlining the new Allianz Riverfront Amphitheater with their biggest local show to date. While the band originally formed in Seattle, two of its founding members,...

Why Alexander Mack Might Be the Next Big Thing Out of Richmond

Unsigned but far from unseen, Richmond’s own Alexander Mack is pulling over 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with standout tracks like “Young Man” crossing 1.3 million streams. On YouTube, his video for “Cucumber Cool” has racked up over 367,000 views in just a...

Fighting Cancer with Music | Richmond Musicians Rally for Justin Golden

Some musicians don’t just play—they shape a city’s sound, quietly stitching themselves into the cultural fabric with every note. Justin Golden has been doing that in Richmond for years, sliding his bluesy riffs into our collective consciousness. You might’ve caught him live, lost in a groove, or maybe you’ve just soaked in the atmosphere he...

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Sound Check! Wes Parker, Rubblebucket, Sweet Bahs

In a dancing mood this week. We got some bouncers, some swayers, some goth sporadic twitching. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.  Gallery5 Friday January 31st, 2025Wes Parker, Opin, Sun V Set https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atD1wST7U6c Splinter is Wes Parker’s newest EP, a...

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Sound Check! Bone Machine, Benjamin Shepherd, Nicotine Dolls

Sometimes the world feels bleak. Right now, in my eyes, the world looks bleak. I went to think about it, take stock of what puts gas in my tank, and did my pondering at The Camel, at Gallery 5, at Bandito’s. After all that, I didn’t feel so bad. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at...

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Sound Check! J. Roddy Walston, Loose Roots, & Shane Kelley

The close of the year. Maybe this week your old buddies from high school will be back in town, maybe your coolest cousin is visiting for the holidays, whatever it is, go make some memories together. To quote the Specials, “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your...

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SOUND CHECK! Miramar, Wayne Graham, MDC & Horsehead

Once more, bridge the gap, dear Richmonders, or close up the gap with our Monroe Park rats… But when the blasts of indie rock blow in our ears, then imitate the beaver and fill the river stage. - Griffin Shakespeare Smalley. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com....

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SOUND CHECK! M.D.C. , Miramar w Richmond symphony, Wayne Graham, Horsehead

Photos | Iron Blossom Festival 2024 by Aspen DeRosa

After its successful launch last year, the Iron Blossom Festival returned this year to The Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, VA, bringing together an impressive lineup of musical talent while being blessed with fantastic end of summer weather. Thousands packed the festival and spilled out into the streets to catch headliners CAAMP, Mt....

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