Los Angeles’ Bad Suns brought their bouncy alternative pop to The National on the last weekend in September, and RVA Mag was there to capture the scene in all its glory.

On the last Friday night in September, as leaves are falling into batches of warm pumpkin spice tones and bright crimson in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, Bad Suns headlined the legendary National stage. Opening with a crowd favorite, lead singer Christo Bowman and the band welcomed a familiar city with open arms.

With their latest visit to Richmond, Bad Suns returned to a city they expressed love for again, after four years of recording and tour. Their current headlining tour, which brought them to 13 different cities over the course of this fall season, was in support of their third LP, Mystic Truth, which Bad Suns released in spring 2019. Songs from the album made popular additions to the set list, which had the fans singing their hearts out at the barricades in front of the stage.

The venue was packed with music lovers and ecstatic faces ready to dance the night away. The evening began with two eclectic bands, Los Angeles alt-rockers Liily and Bay Area band Ultra Q, formerly known as Mt. Eddy. But the evening’s diverse lineup of original music focused on Bad Suns, and this Friday night in Richmond was full of crowd surfing, sparkling stage lights, and fast-paced music that filled The National.

RVA Magazine was on the scene, grabbing shots in the photo pit and in the crowd of hundreds to capture the band’s special performance. Take a glimpse at our photographs from the night to feel the energy and what it was like to be front and center as the Bad Suns brought Richmond a musical night to remember.

All Photos by Lucienne Nghiem

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond