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Photos | Heart of Winter Fest

An unseasonably warm Friday afternoon set the tone for Day 2 of Heart of Winter at The Canal Club, a strange but welcome contrast to the bleak, frostbitten sounds pouring out of the venue. Despite the mild weather, the atmosphere inside was anything but soft. Black...

A Look Back at United Blood 2025

Editor’s Note: This article reflects on United Blood’s return back in April 2025 and is a preview of what is in store for 2026. Words and photos by Cristian Espinoza The sleeping giant walks the earth again. After a five-year hiatus, United Blood returned to Richmond,...

From Hibernation to Hellfire: Heart Of Winter Returns to Richmond

After more than a decade in hibernation, one of Richmond’s most revered underground metal gatherings is clawing its way back to life. Heart Of Winter, the black metal and doom-heavy festival that helped define an era of the city’s DIY extreme metal scene, is...

Richmond New Year’s Eve 2025-2026! The Ultimate Rundown

Richmond has its own way of ringing in the New Year. A little backward glance, a little chaos, and just enough polish to feel intentional. You can lean into loud live shows, dress up for something splashy, or keep it simple with a solid drink and good company. However...

Photo | Nettspend x Vans Keep It Local at Laurel Skatepark

Richmond's Nettspend and Vans turned Laurel Skatepark into a canned food drive that was part skate scene, part community pull-up, built around a simple ask: bring something that helps someone else eat. For readers who may not know him yet, Nettspend is one of...

Richmond Live Music Picks | New Year’s Eve Edition

Editor's Note: We have our full list of New Years events posted HERE. This week is all about New Year's Eve. We got a ton of insane local talent at nearly every venue in town, anywhere you look you got something. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone...

It’s Back! And We’ve got Your Friday Cheers 2024 Lineup

It's that time of year again! The weather is warming up, the sun is setting after 7:00 PM, so that can only mean one thing: it's Spring. My favorite time of year when the weather is perfect, the trees are blooming, and hope and revival float through the air along with the pleasant aromas of sprouting flowers. Music lovers know what Spring means...

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Friday Cheers 202 -Announcement by Andrew Bonieskie_RVA Magazine

‘Solar Music’ Shines Bright with Butcher Brown on NPR Tiny Desk

For those who've been following the mag coming out of the pandemic, it's no secret that we've got respect for Butcher Brown. This crew embodies much of what makes us love our city — authenticity coupled with a DIY spirit, and an unwavering love for Richmond, VA. A city known for birthing legends such as D'Angelo, Lonnie Liston Smith, Lamb of God,...

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Butcher Brown Tiny Desk 2024_RVA Magazine

Kids of the Black Hole

We stepped down the cobblestone steps, our backs to that gothic tower of bricks seeing us off into a damp night. Jesse’s face was blue as he stared down into his phone and said: C’mon, I think it’s this way. It’s west? I asked.  No, it’s in this direct—I mean yes… it’s west. You’re sure? He told me he was good for it. The guy who walks...

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kids of the black hole by Cameron Ritter_RVA Magazine Richmond VA 2024

Tennishu, Booby Bash 3 & Prabir Trio: Sound Check

I'm so excited by what's happening in the city these days it's hard for me to pay attention to anything else. I've got more all local for you on this week's edition of SOUND CHECK. Friday Booby Bash 3 comes to Gallery 5 to raise money to benefit the queer community, then come Monday Tennishu hops into The Camel bringing along two very unlikely...

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Tennishu by Dani Barbieri Sound Check RVA Mag 2024

Valient Himself Sings Again

Soooo Herbie Abernethy. Valient Himself, Valient Thorr. There are many things one could expect of you. HEMI engine-roaring rock and roll, spitting hot oil and sweat? Sure. Loud guitars fucking louder drums, on festival stages with the gods of American angst? Definitely. A solo album filled with cover songs ranging from Neil Diamond’s “Forever in...

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Herbie Abernathy aka Valiant Himself, Valiant Thorr interview by Christian Detres, photo by PJ Sykes 2024

Sammy Rae, The Hurricane Party & DJ Harrison: Sound Check

Some legends will be walking the streets, one of the most underrated and exciting vocal talents of her generation will grace a Richmond stage, and the local musicians keep rocking away in the clubs and alleys of our fair city. On this week's SOUND CHECK, EDM powerhouse Darude will be at Ember Music Hall, Sammy Rae and her group of friends will...

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Sammie Rae_photo by Mia Isabella Photography 2024_Sound Check RVA Magazine

Willie Williams Shares the Real Deal on Being a Musician

In this laid-back chat, we caught up with Willie Williams, a seasoned mix of country, pop, Americana, blues and hard rock deeply rooted in Richmond's bustling music scene as a solo musician and with Allman Brothers tribute band Skydog. We dive into the world of gigging, tackling misconceptions and dishing out some real talk about what it's like...

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Willie Williams interview with Jonathan Facka 2024