This week get ready to immerse yourself in a groundbreaking music festival that’s set to shake up Richmond’s music scene. BTCHFEST is here to spotlight the incredible talent of women and nonbinary femme artists, taking center stage at Cobra Cabana and Another Round for two unforgettable days of powerful performances and community empowerment. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, join us in celebrating the resilience, creativity, and unapologetic expression of femme musicians at BTCHFEST. It’s more than just a festival—it’s a movement. Don’t miss out on this electrifying experience!
Are you an artist with new tracks, a listener with suggestions or the inside scoop, or just want to say hi? Send an email to cj@rvamag.com
Upcoming Shows:
BTCHFEST
Day 1: Brat, r.o.t.w.l.c.f.t.s.c.b.m.h, Uniity, Merciful Zero, The Get Off, Double Blind, Book of Wyrms
Friday, March 29th @ Cobra Cabana
Day 2: Maafa, Diuretic, Lil Stixxx, Fit Check, Circle Breaker, Gusher, Headscratcher
Saturday, March 30th @ Another Round
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, Richmond gears up to celebrate the end of the month with a music festival like no other: BTCHFEST. Over two days of powerful performances, community empowerment, and unapologetic celebration, Cobra Cabana and Another Round will host this groundbreaking event, spotlighting women and nonbinary femme artists in the local music scene.
But why BTCH? For founder Madi, it’s about more than just reclaiming a word—it’s about reclaiming power and proving wrong all those who doubted her abilities. “When you get treated with such disrespect so many times when you didn’t deserve it, there’s something really powerful about that reclamation,” she explains. And with BTCHFEST, she’s creating a platform for artists and production workers who have faced similar struggles to thrive and showcase their talents.
Transparency is key for Madi, who wants every aspect of BTCHFEST to be open for examination. The festival’s funding and payouts are freely available for review, ensuring accountability and integrity. With equipment rentals and band payouts on the agenda, sponsors and funding are crucial to delivering the best experience for guests and performers alike.
The lineup for BTCHFEST is nothing short of spectacular, featuring a diverse array of women and nonbinary femme-fronted and -featured bands and musicians. From punk rock to indie pop, expect to be blown away by the talent on display. And in keeping with the festival’s ethos, there will be zero tolerance for transphobic behavior—BTCHFEST is a safe space for all.
But it’s not just about the music—the production staff at BTCHFEST is also femme-centered, with women taking the lead in audio engineering and lighting design. This commitment to inclusivity and empowerment extends to every aspect of the festival, ensuring that everyone involved feels valued and respected.
It’s more than just a music festival—it’s a movement, a statement, and a celebration of the power and passion of women and nonbinary femmes in the Richmond music scene.
Featured Releases:
BAT – Rite For Exorcism (Single + Music Video)
Attention all metalheads and horror aficionados: it’s time to don your leather vests and brace yourselves, because BAT is back! The band dropped their new single from their upcoming album, Under The Crooked Claw, and the record is shaping up to be a devilishly fun combination of horror and heavy metal. Led by Municipal Waste bandmates, Ryan Waste and Nick Poulous, BAT sees the duo staying true to their metal roots with more of an emphasis on speed metal for BAT’s earlier material. The band is taking their sound in a fresh direction with Under The Crooked Claw, marrying heavy metal, punk, and rock’n’roll in a style that Ryan Waste affectionately refers to as “Primitive Heavy Speed”. The band has also enlisted legendary Italian horror maestro Fabio Frizzi to compose the album’s opener Una Torcia Illumina Il Cielo for a spine-chilling intro.
The single comes with a wonderfully nostalgic music video that wears its influences proudly. Directed by Norman Cabrera, produced by Maya Kay, and brought to life through the lens of cinematographer Rob Lucas at Wolfpack Studios, the video plays out like The Exorcist but in this version evil triumphs! Go give it a watch and keep your eyes peeled for the record to drop on May 17 via Nuclear Blast Records.
What I’m Listening To:
Barn – Habitat
Barn is one of those bands that ignites a certain spark of excitement within me. These guys are young and incredibly talented musicians and their debut album, Habitat, serves as a testament to their undeniable talent and musical prowess. What sets Barn apart for me is their ability to seamlessly blend technical mastery with an infectious energy that makes their songs both impressive and exhilarating. Much like the great Chuck Schuldiner of Death in his later years, they strike a perfect balance between showing off their technical skills while writing songs that are just fun as hell to listen to.
As I listen to “Habitat,” I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation, a belief that Barn is destined for greatness. With their undeniable talent and unwavering passion for their craft, it’s only a matter of time before they make their mark on the metal world in a big way. So, if you’re searching for a band that embodies the essence of death metal with a modern twist, look no further than Barn. They’re ready to take the world by storm, one blistering riff at a time.
Favorite tracks:
Cave
Predatory
Main image by Greta Gerstner @generationgreta
