AMERICANA & BLUES




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Before Anyone Was Watching

I went to Virginia MOCA expecting to hear Andy Howell talk about skateboarding. Instead, I left thinking about community and how people find each other. Howell's installation opens Seamless, the museum's new exhibition exploring the overlap between art and design. At...

Lucy Dacus’ New Music Video is a Love Letter to Richmond

Richmond native and multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus released the self-directed music video for her latest single "Planting Tomatoes" and every frame was filmed here at home. The video moves through some of the city's most recognizable places,...

Fourth of July 2026 in Richmond: Fireworks, Festivals, and More

The best Fourth of July celebration in Richmond probably isn't the one with the biggest fireworks. It's the one where someone forgot the hot dog buns, the cooler is running low on ice, kids are chasing each other through sprinklers, and somebody insists they know a...

IllumiNATION Tells America’s Story on a Monumental Scale

Editor’s Note: RVA Magazine is partnering with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on coverage related to America’s 250th anniversary, including Richmond SailFest and IllumiNation. It's hard to impress people with just a building. Yet standing in front of the...

Sound Check! Primus, Tophouse and Jake The Dog

This week I am looking at three shows that could not be less similar in my eyes. There is a sharp contrast of energy and volume between the bands, a little bit of this and I dare say a little bit of that. I was not totally familiar with a lot of these artists and I am glad I have made some new discoveries, hopefully you have to! Got a show coming...

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Sound Check! Primus, Tophouse and Jake The Dog by Griffin Smalley_RVA Magazine 2024

Sound Check! Dogstar, Greensky Bluegrass & Ten Pound Snail

I am having one of those weeks where I fall absolutely head over heels in love with music and listening to these bands has done absolute wonders. Seeing Palmyra last week has me back on the grass (the blue kind) which could not line up better with the upcoming Brown’s Island Beer Fest. I am doing a bit of reminiscing at the Camel with bands I...

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Sound Check_Dogstar, Greensky Bluegrass & Ten Pound Snail by Griffin Smalley_RVA Magazine 2024

804 Day Is Today! The Ultimate Richmond Music Block Party Returns

Today’s the day, Richmond. The city is already sizzling, and 804 Day is back to turn it up a notch. Now in its second year, this free-for-all celebration is the biggest independent Richmond music block party of the year, bringing together a stellar lineup of local music heroes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into the...

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Deau Eyes, Shera Shi, and Catie Lausten Slay at The Camel

This past Friday, the Camel hosted a sold-out Deau Eyes show with supporting sets from Shera Shi and Catie Lausten, featuring a collaboration song composed by the 3 songstresses. Deau Eyes has cemented herself as one of the most anticipated acts in the city, consistently playing tight, languid, and emotional sets wherever she pops up. She's...

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Sam Barber, Grails & Burns Burly west: Sound Check

A wild and varied week it will be, with concert goers having to pick their sound of choice this weekend. Down on the Friday Cheers stage comes a rotation of country and folk artists headlined by the increasingly popular sound of Sam Barber, backed up by Jake Kohn and local group Villages. Meanwhile over at Richmond Music Hall, Grails fill the air...

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Sam Barber Colton Kramer Sound Check Friday Cheers RVA Mag 2024

Photos from the sold out Dale Watson show at Get Tight Lounge

Last week, Get Tight Lounge in Richmond was packed for a sold-out show featuring none other than Dale Watson, the torchbearer of classic honky-tonk. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd was buzzing as photographer Ben Lahoussine captured an unforgettable evening. For those not in the know, Dale Watson was born on October 7, 1962, in...

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Finding My Way to Tommy Stinson and Peter Jesperson

As any exciting story begins, it was a Monday night and my plans had just been canceled. With the news of my new availability, I decided to take up a friend on an offer. The scene takes me to a familiar spot, a beautiful home across the river with a small lit sign guarding the driveway. In large letters, “Chilton House,” and resting below it,...

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Finding My Way to Tommy Stinson and Peter Jesperson by Griffin Smalley_RVA Magazine 2024