It’s almost that time of year again when thousands will descend on Brown’s Island to listen and dance to the sweet sounds from local and regional musicians, as well as national acts that take the stage as part of Richmond’s longest-running outdoor concert series.
Now in its 34th season, Friday Cheers, which is produced by Venture Richmond Events and presented by Bell’s Brewery, has put together a stacked lineup for us this year including Richmond acts No BS! Brass Band, Kenneka Cook, Saw Black, Butcher Brown, Dharma Bombs, Pirhama Rama, along with Rhiannon Gidden, Valerie June, and Tyler Childers, and many more.
Instrumental jazz five-piece Butcher Brown has been killing it on the local scene for years and back in November, the quintet dropped Live at Vagabond, a collection of their songs performed at the local music venue on West Broad Street. I personally love getting down to their funky grooves, they are one of the best acts in Richmond and catching them right next to the water on a warm Friday night is the perfect setting for this band.
And Appalachian Dixieland folk/swing quintet Dharma Bombs are always a good time and get fans dancing with their raucous, energetic shows and upbeat tunes. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear some songs off their latest record, Old Time Romance.
Saw Black also has a new record coming out in May called Water Tower, his follow-up to his debut folky/Americana record Azalea Days. The singer/songwriter and co-owner of Crystal Pistol Records is carving out his own niche in the local music scene and hopefully, we will get to here a mix of both his releases.
Soul/funk powerhouse Kenneka Cook is probably the most anticipated local act on the bill. She also just dropped her debut album, Moonchild in February, which RVA Mag had the chance to talk to her about back in September. While she’s already developed quite a significant following with her live shows and music video releases, for those that haven’t had a chance to hear Cook yet will be in for a serious treat at her Friday Cheers performance.
Memphis-based folk/blues artist Valerie June and blues/R&B artist Devon Gilfillian out of Nashville will kick off Friday Cheers on May 4. The series will run through June 29 so you have plenty of chances to catch some good live music over the summer.
Tickets for Friday Cheers are $5-$10 for individual shows, and season passes cost $40 from March 6-April 1 and $55 after April 1. You can snag yours here and you can check out the dates for the entire lineup below:
May 4 – Valerie June (8:00) with Devon Gilfillian (6:30) $10
May 11 – Tank and the Bangas (8:00) with Sweet Crude (6:30) $10
May 25 – RVA Music Night featuring Richmond bands: Butcher Brown (8:00), Dharma Bombs
(7:00) and Piranha Rama (6:00) $5
June 1 – Tyler Childers (8:00) with Saw Black (6:30) $5
June 8 – Rhiannon Giddens (8:00) with NOBS! Brass Band (6:30) $10
As part of the Festival of the River. Both bands performing with the Richmond Symphony.
June 15 – Parquet Courts (8:00) with Gauche (6:30) $10
June 22 – Knower (8:00) with Kenneka Cook (6:30) $5
June 29 – Turnpike Troubadours (8:00) with Charley Crockett (6:30) $10
Top Photo By: Dave Parrish Photography
Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond
