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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...

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 4/23-4/29

FEATURE SHOW Friday, April 25, 8 PM Acid Mothers Temple, Perhaps, Caves Caverns + Mutwawa @ Strange Matter - $12 (Order tickets here: http://acidmothers.eventbrite.com/) Acid Mothers Temple are a world unto themselves. FEATURE SHOW Friday, April 25, 8 PM Acid Mothers Temple, Perhaps, Caves Caverns + Mutwawa @ Strange Matter - $12 (Order tickets...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 4/16-4/22

FEATURE SHOW Saturday, April 19, 9 PM Hypercolor (photo by Coldon Martin), James Wallace & The Naked Light, The Trillions @ The Camel - Price at door This show has nothing to do with dayglo t-shirts from the early 90s that caused all of your sweat stains to glow brilliantly. No, this Hypercolor is a local Richmond band whose lush psychedelic...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 4/9-4/15

FEATURE SHOW Friday, April 11, 9 PM Pissed Jeans, Hex Machine, Slugz, Daggering, DJ Marty Violence @ Strange Matter - $12 (order tickets here: https://pissedjeans.eventbrite.com/) Pissed Jeans are the poster band for thirtysomething male angst. FEATURE SHOW Friday, April 11, 9 PM Pissed Jeans, Hex Machine, Slugz, Daggering, DJ Marty Violence @...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 4/2-4/8

FEATURE SHOW Monday, April 7, 9 PM Allvaret, Hot Dolphin, Men's Room, Omega Boys @ Strange Matter - $7 Where live music is concerned, weekend nights are often for dilettantes. If you're really serious about seeing all the best shows that come through your town, you have to be prepared to go out on weeknights. FEATURE SHOW Monday, April 7, 9 PM...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 3/26-4/1

FEATURE SHOW Thursday, March 27, 9 PM Ladybug House Vol. 1 Release Show, feat. The Moonbees, Highness, Gina Sobel & The Mighty Fine, Fool's Errand @ Strange Matter - $6 There are two really good reasons why you need to make it to this show. FEATURE SHOW Thursday, March 27, 9 PM Ladybug House Vol. 1 Release Show, feat. The Moonbees, Highness, Gina...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 3/19-3/25

FEATURE SHOW Friday, March 21, 5 PM Lobo Marino, Antique Animals, Swamp Trees @ Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - FREE! We've always regarded Lobo Marino as a local RVA band, but the truth is they spend most of their time on the road. FEATURE SHOW Friday, March 21, 5 PM Lobo Marino, Antique Animals, Swamp Trees @ Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - FREE!...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 3/12-3/18

FEATURE SHOW Friday, March 14, 10 PM WRIR Spring Fund Drive Kickoff, feat. The Milkstains, The Trillions, Tungs, Dave Watkins @ Strange Matter - $5 Don't get me wrong, great bands are indeed essential to a good music scene--but the glue that holds things together often comes from the institutions that help bands reach their audience. Last week in...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 3/5-3/11

FEATURE SHOW Friday, March 7, 7 PM Friday Mindgrind Freakfestivalis Part Two feat. Psalm Zero, Pyrrhon, Guerilla Toss (Photo by Mona Tracy Maruyama http://batcaveofdoom.com/), Cloud Becomes Your Hand, Navi, R-Complex @ Strange Matter - $8 One thing we have to give Strange Matter--they always keep it interesting. FEATURE SHOW Friday, March 7, 7 PM...

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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 2/26-3/4

FEATURE SHOW Saturday, March 1, 8 PM Long Arms CD Release Show with Long Arms, Hypercolor, Mayfair, The Story Changes @ The Camel - $7 Where veteran songwriters of the RVA scene are concerned, James Menefee is an overlooked but essential part of the equation. FEATURE SHOW Saturday, March 1, 8 PM Long Arms CD Release Show with Long Arms,...

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