CULTURE




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VHS Club | Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

“Everything seemed the same, but it wasn’t. It was a nightmare.”  By 1978, the American Dream was officially dead. The counterculture of the ’60s and early ’70s had been absorbed into the mainstream, packaged and sold through a matrix of unlimited consumerism and...

Sound Check! No BS Brass! Teen Mortage! Dhemo! & More!

It’s a great week to be a Richmonder. I tried to cover a little bit of everything here—something to calm the storm, something to shake it up more—and as always, if you’ve got something, let me know. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music?...

Styles P Shines, But So Do We

The room was charged the moment the doors opened. Richmond showed up ready—you could feel it in the air, like the bassline of a song you know by heart. And at the center of it all stood The Ghost himself: Styles P. Live at Ember Music Hall. A masterclass in presence,...

Revolution on Display. Protest on the Sidewalk. Welcome to Richmond.

Last weekend in Church Hill, Richmond did something that only Richmond can do — it let history walk and talk right in front of us. Inside St. John’s Church, the scene was familiar. A reenactor delivered Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech to an...

The Sunroom is the Go-To Video Team for Richmond’s Music Scene

When it comes to creating visual work that uplifts Richmond’s music scene, The Sunroom has quickly become a trusted name. I caught up with Michael Thibodeau, the founder, creative director and producer at The Sunroom, to talk about how they started, their growing body...

Stay Gold! 20 Years of RVA Magazine and Gallery5

Twenty years ago, RVA Magazine and Gallery5 came to life together—two DIY efforts launched with no budget, no blueprint, and no permission. What they shared was a vision: that Richmond’s creative culture was worth showing up for, amplifying, and celebrating....

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 6 Vinyl Conflict

"Holy smokes, Bobby from Vinyl Conflict, this guy is truly one of a kind. I honestly can’t imagine Richmond without him. His hands are in all the good pots—often with little to gain beyond making the city cooler, more fun, and more connected. A jack of all trades, and...

Photos | Chandler’s Going Away Show at The Broadberry

Few artists in Richmond’s hip-hop scene have made as much noise in recent years as Chandler Matkins. From viral moments to sold-out shows, his rise has been marked by constant evolution and increasing recognition. His recent Going Away Show at The Broadberry was a showcase of homegrown talent, featuring performances from Lunch $pecial, O-Z, TMA,...

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Chandler Going Away Show at Broadberry_RVA Magazine 2025

It’s Still Our City | Ep. 4 TRAPCRY 🏳️‍🌈

"A key figure in Richmond’s ongoing music renaissance, TRAPCRY is absolutely killing it. If you’re not already familiar, it’s time to change that. His music is captivating, fun, and truly unique. I first saw him perform while working security at one of his shows, and I was completely blindsided—at a loss for words because I couldn’t stop smiling....

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Richmond Music of Right Now 2025 Poll Results!

This marks the third year of our annual poll, and for the first time it really feels like a passing of the torch. Richmond’s next wave of musicians is taking center stage. That shift likely has something to do with who showed up to vote. The majority of this year’s voters were under 25, and they’re actively shaping the city’s music scene with new...

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Tiny Porch Concerts Seeks Performers for 2025 Season—Apply Now!

Tiny Porch Neighborhood Concert Series, a grassroots music showcase in Richmond’s Woodland Heights, is looking for musicians to fill its 2025 season. Organizers recently reached out to us after seeing the range of artists featured in our Richmond Music of Right Now poll, using it as a guide to find emerging talent in the city. Their hope is...

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SuperName! A Love Letter in Spray Paint to Kids Fighting Cancer

Names have power. They carry history, identity, and meaning. In street art, a name on a wall is a statement: I was here. I matter. For Richmond muralist Basta, names are more than words—they’re a tribute to strength. Through his project SuperName, he’s turning graffiti into a symbol of resilience for young people battling cancer. Photo courtesy...

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SuperName by Basta_RVA Magazine 2025