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

Iron Blossom is Part of a Bigger Richmond Music Story

Ahead of Iron Blossom, we talked with veteran promoter Ken Macdonald about the city’s changing live music ecosystem, from clubs to festivals and the Allianz Amphitheater. Richmond has always been a music town, but going back decades there were gaps in the local scene....

A First Look at the New Brown’s Island

Brown's Island has been closed since November 2025 for a $30 million improvement project, the largest renovation of the six-acre island in decades. It will temporarily reopen for the Richmond Folk Festival, October 9 - 11th, giving Richmonders their first chance to...

Richmond Loves Dolly Parton

I was gonna kill my husband in a cab in Peru, but “Islands in the Stream” came on the radio, and we stopped arguing and started singing. She could do that to you. You could totally be feeling some type of way, but if you put some Dolly Parton on, well, then you got a...

Night Idea Has Been Here the Whole Time.

Richmond has no shortage of bands that arrive and then disappear. Night Idea has taken the opposite approach. They’ve been around for 16 years, and keep getting better. I sat down with Joey Anderson, Reggie Pace and Reyna Pannell ahead of Night Idea’s appearance at...

You Can Kiss Off! 45 Years of Violent Femmes

You can always kiss off into the air. Behind my back, I can see them stare. They hurt me bad, and I don’t mind. They hurt me bad, they do it all the time! Yeah, yeah. You just sang that in your head, didn’t you? I believe it is impossible not to. There’s an alchemy, a...

Read the Virginia Pride 2026 Pride Guide 🏳️‍🌈

For more than a decade, RVA Magazine has worked with Virginia Pride to produce the Official VA PrideFest Guide, bringing together stories from Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community and everything you need to know for PrideFest this Saturday, September 12,...

Virginia Film Chief Andy Edmunds Made a Movie

For context, when I’m not writing for this magazine, I’m a director and producer in the film industry. There’s one person rallying troops in the trenches for me and my colleagues all over the state. Andy Edmunds is on the front line of the conversations that bring...