So as the days get closer we’ve been doing our best here at RVA Mag to keep you up to date with all things related to the
So as the days get closer we’ve been doing our best here at RVA Mag to keep you up to date with all things related to the LOCKN’Festival, which goes down Sept. 10-13 on Oak Ridge Farm in Arrington, Va.

One important part we forgot to mention, but it a super cool part of the festival, is the Rockn’ to Lockn’ competiton. We covered the local competition hosted at Capital Ale House where a few local bands competed for a chance to win their way into the festival. If you missed that post, check that out here.

However, we forgot to announce the winners! And one of our own Richmond favorites, psychedelic rock and roll band The Southern Belles won the local competition and won their way into this year’s LOCKN’ Festival.

Each year, Flat Five Productions and the LOCKN’ Festival put on a battle of the bands competition where fans choose the Virginia talent that will be showcased at the festival. The competition was a four-night four city event during July with bands vying for a spot in Virginia Beach, Falls Church, Charlottesville and Richmond.

Along with The Southern Belles, Northern Virginia prog-rock group Moogatu, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot, a blues/country rock band from the Tidewater area and Lord Nelson, a rural rock group from Nelson County also won their way into the festival.

The Southern Belles had this to say about winning their way into the festival.

“We’re so excited and honored to have won this competition. We have to thank our fans for coming out and voting for us, and the other bands for putting on such great shows. This really means the world to us. It could be life changing, not to mention the opportunity for us to play on the same bill as some of our most influential musicians.”

Guitarist Adrian Ciucci had this to add about playing LOCKN’.

“Winning this competition is huge for us,” said Ciucci. “This is our chance to represent Richmond on a national level and we’re so honored that our fans came out to support us and help us get there.”

Check out some of their music below:

Moogatu:

Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot:

Lord Nelson:

In 2014, the first year of the competition, People’s Blues of Richmond represented RVA at the festival. Check out the new winners at this year’s festival!

ALso, check out our recent interview with the promoters behind LOCKN’ here.

See you on the farm!