WRIR 97.3FM Marks Two Decades with a Richmond Mini-Fest

by | Apr 24, 2025 | COMMUNITY, CULTURE, EAT DRINK, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE, QUEER RVA

Richmond Independent Radio (WRIR-LP 97.3 FM) is hitting the big 2-0, and this is not just some tired “anniversary” event, it’s a vibe. Since 2005, WRIR has been the soundtrack of Richmond’s wild, ever-evolving cultural landscape. As the largest low-power FM station in the United States, WRIR has lived up to its promise of being the loudspeaker for everything that’s raw, real, and relentlessly local. It’s been a refuge for independent voices, a platform for artists who aren’t quite ready for the mainstream, and a community space where stories that don’t fit into the cookie-cutter mold of corporate media can thrive.

So, to celebrate decades of shaking things up, WRIR has partnered with PRSMCAT PRESENTS on throwing a mini-festival in the heart of Scott’s Addition. This isn’t your typical “come and have a drink” kind of party. We’re talking about live music, local eats, and a night that’s going to have everything from the dance floor to a few heartfelt moments.

The Lineup: Music that Speaks to Richmond

These are the Richmond artists who are carving out their own niche, doing their thing without needing anyone’s permission. The stage is set for an eclectic night of music, from gritty punk to soulful hip-hop and everything in between. You’ve got: JR., Night Idea, Girl Spit, Zuri, Michael Millions, Trapcry, DJ Warren & Tommy2600. 

And guiding you through the madness, the one and only WRIR DJ B-Rice (@djb_rice)—the kind of host who knows how to make an event feel like home without losing the energy.

The Food: Because No One Wants to Get Hangry

You can’t just have music and drinks. If you’re in Richmond and you’re throwing a celebration, you’d better have some serious food to back it up. Here’s what’s on the menu:

  • Kwam’s Chicken Project – These guys don’t mess around. If you’ve never had their fried chicken, you’re about to find out what comfort food should taste like.
  • 9th House – Yakisoba that will make you forget your typical bar food. We’re talking Japanese street food at its best.

Event Details: Here’s the Rundown

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26, 2025—because if you miss this, you’ll be kicking yourself. Doors open at 7:00 PM, the music starts at 8:00 PM, and the party goes till 2 AM. It’s at The Workshop in Scott’s Addition—1400 MacTavish Ave, Richmond, VA. This one’s all ages, so you can bring your whole crew. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door—grab them while you can because they won’t last long —get your tickets HERE

Why You Should Be There

WRIR has been at the heart of Richmond’s underground culture for two decades, and this festival is a love letter to everything that makes the city unique. It’s a celebration of the artists who’ve shaped Richmond, the community that’s kept it real, and the future that’s waiting to be written. So, come for the music, stay for the food, and, most importantly, come to be part of something that’s about more than just a party—it’s about celebrating a culture that’s been built from the ground up.


Support RVA Magazine. Support independent media in Richmond. 
In a world where corporations and wealthy individuals now shape much of our media landscape, RVA Magazine remains fiercely independent, amplifying the voices of Richmond’s artists, musicians, and community. Since 2005, we’ve been dedicated to authentic, grassroots storytelling that highlights the people and culture shaping our city.

But we can’t do this without you. A small donation, even as little as $2 – one-time or recurring – helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside interference. Every dollar makes a difference. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE. 

Also, you can show your support by purchasing our merch HERE.

RVA Staff

RVA Staff

Since 2005, the dedicated team at RVA Magazine, known as RVA Staff, has been delivering the cultural news that matters in Richmond, VA. This talented group of professionals is committed to keeping you informed about the events and happenings in the city.




more in music

Thundercat Has Entered the Chat

Next Saturday, October 17th, the weird, funky spaceship that carts Thundercat around will land in Richmond for his show at The National. As a massive fan, I will absolutely be there. His is the kind of unique sound that makes a concert a “happening.” A funk so deep...

My First Phish Show in 1994 to Photographing Them in Richmond

In 1994, while in NOVA for high school, a friend who had grown up in Vermont introduced me to a band named Phish around the release of their fifth album, Hoist, and I became obsessed. As a classical-metal-progressive rock music fan, I loved it. My first show was...

Old Grace Street is Richmond History. Let’s Recognize It.

Editor's note: We were sent this petition after publishing: VCU Demolition Blitz: More Richmond Erased HERE. As reported by The Richmonder last week, “The Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan, which sailed through City Council with a unanimous vote Sept. 28, is intended...

Richmond Has The Talent. Tilt Studio Puts It in the Same Room.

“Richmond has always had this DIY, collaborative spirit, and I think projects like this are a great expression of that. There's a lot of talent here, and when those different creative communities start crossing paths, I think the city gets more interesting.”  —...

It’s Still Our City Ep. 25 | Yavé Rust

RVA Mag and NODDERLY presents It’s Still Our City, a podcast hosted by Harrison Christy and with Clair Morgan as co-host and producer through NODDERLY. "Yavé Rust is a Richmond, VA-based music producer and audio engineer specializing in metal and punk. Originating...

GWAR Co-Founder Chuck Varga, aka Sexecutioner, Dies at 68

Chuck Varga, a founding member of GWAR and the artist and performer behind the band’s Sexecutioner passed away over the weekend following a battle with cancer. He was 68. Varga was part of GWAR from its earliest days, co-founding Slave Pit Studios in Richmond and...

This is Endling

The creative soul of Richmond has been flourishing for years. Within the past two, it’s made itself known through Endling, a creative collective of underground hip-hop artists who have one goal: to prevent the underground from dying. From originating in house shows to...