a
M

Close

Richmond Music of Right Now 2025 Poll Results!

by | Feb 22, 2025 | COMMUNITY, CULTURE, MUSIC, PINNED

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 voices, more diversity, and a lot of energy. That’s a good thing. The more people invested in local music, the stronger the scene gets.

This year, more than 65,000 people read the poll and over 7,000 cast votes. That level of participation says a lot. Richmond’s music community is active, engaged, and paying attention. If you haven’t really dug into the local scene yet, now is a solid time to start.

We appreciate everyone who voted and shared feedback. We know this poll can always be improved, and we’re committed to tightening it up and making it better each year. But for now, let’s get into it. Here’s what you, the readers, chose as your favorite local music to kick off 2025.

Oh, we should mention our new Reddit sub HERE.  

Support Richmond Independent Media Like RVA Magazine
In a world where big corporations and wealthy individuals shape much of the 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.We can’t do this without you. A small donation, as little as $2, – one-time or recurring – helps us continue to produce honest, local coverage free from outside influence. Your support keeps us going and keeps RVA’s creative spirit alive. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for standing with independent media. DONATE HERE

Hip Hop, Rap

WINNER! Ducttape Jesus
2nd Nickelus F
3rd Black Liq
4th Boobie Holiday
5th Dogfuck

Metal, Thrash, Hardcore, Post Hardcore

WINNER! Alchemy
2nd Anastasia
3rd Rat Fight
4th Wasted Space
5th Asylum 213

Punk, Post Punk, Alternative

WINNER! Destructo Disk
2nd Girlspit
3rd Dead Billionaires
4th Alex Jonestown Massacre
5th Velvet Ruin

Indie, Indie Rock

WINNER! Deathcat
2nd Deau Eyes
3rd Nancy Raygun
4th Jake, The Dog
5th Piranha Rama

Rock

WINNER! Strawberry Moon
2nd Flora and the Fauna
3rd Ten Pound Snail
4th Rikki Rakki
5th Shagwüf

Neo Soul, Soul, R&B

WINNER! Trapcry
2nd Ms. Jaylin Brown
3rd Weekend Plans
4th Big Fancy
5th Chyna

Pop, Electronic, Alt-Pop, Dance

WINNER! Twin Films
2nd Erin and the Wildfire
3rd Zach Benson
4th Drook
5th Kenneka Cook

Alt Country, Country, Blues

WINNER! Palmyra
2nd Bucko
3rd Holy Roller
4th Drunk Mother
5th Cassidy Snider and the Wranglers

Bluegrass, Ol Timey & Folk

WINNER! Garden Variety String Band
2nd Pitch’n a Fit String Band
3rd Tim Barry
4th Devil’s Coattails
5th South Hill Banks

Singer Songwriter

WINNER! Wes Parker
2nd Mackenzie Roark
3rd Jonathan Facka
4th Jonathan Paige Brown Jr.
5th Jonmichael Tarleton

Jazz, Brass, Big Band, Instrumental, Experimental

WINNER! Butcher Brown
2nd NO BS! Brass
3rd Dumb Waiter
4th Sweet Potatoes
5th Doomsday Doomsday Doomsday

Psychedelic, Funk, Jam

WINNER! Kendall Street Company
2nd Paint On It
3rd Squeeze the Squid
4th Marshall Family Values
5th Space Koi

Local DJs

WINNER! Pomegranate Disco
2nd DJ HYPRCTV
3rd Hip Hop Henry
4th Bedspread Radio
5th LEZ POP

World Music

WINNER! Los Malcriados
2nd The Mighty Joshua
3rd Holy River
4th Bio Ritmo
5th Miramar

Drag Performers

WINNER! Michelle Livigne
2nd Monique Michaels
3rd Grace Wetpants
4th You’Neek Nu’york
5th Magnolia Jackson Pickett Burnside

Cover / Party Bands

WINNER! What’s Our Age Again?
2nd 1996
3rd Three Sheets To The Wind
4th Suggesting Rhythm
5th Fear of Music

Producers

WINNER! Michael York
2nd Ant the Symbol
3rd DJ Harrison
4th Michael Millions
5th Nickelus F

Recording Studios

WINNER! Minimum Wage Studios
2nd In Your Ear
3rd Spacebomb Studio
4th Sound of Music Recording & Video Studios
5th White Star Sound

Favorite Venue

WINNER! The Camel
2nd The Broadberry
3rd Cobra Cabana
4th Canal Club
5th Gallery 5

Record Store

WINNER! Plan 9 Music
2nd Vinyl Conflict
3rd Deep Groove Records
4th Wax Moon Vinyl and Video
5th Small Friend Records & Books

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE RVAMAG NEWSLETTER




more in music

Thundercat Has Entered the Chat

Next Saturday, October 17th, the weird, funky spaceship that carts Thundercat around will land in Richmond for his show at The National. As a massive fan, I will absolutely be there. His is the kind of unique sound that makes a concert a “happening.” A funk so deep...

My First Phish Show in 1994 to Photographing Them in Richmond

In 1994, while in NOVA for high school, a friend who had grown up in Vermont introduced me to a band named Phish around the release of their fifth album, Hoist, and I became obsessed. As a classical-metal-progressive rock music fan, I loved it. My first show was...

Old Grace Street is Richmond History. Let’s Recognize It.

Editor's note: We were sent this petition after publishing: VCU Demolition Blitz: More Richmond Erased HERE. As reported by The Richmonder last week, “The Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan, which sailed through City Council with a unanimous vote Sept. 28, is intended...

Richmond Has The Talent. Tilt Studio Puts It in the Same Room.

“Richmond has always had this DIY, collaborative spirit, and I think projects like this are a great expression of that. There's a lot of talent here, and when those different creative communities start crossing paths, I think the city gets more interesting.”  —...

It’s Still Our City Ep. 25 | Yavé Rust

RVA Mag and NODDERLY presents It’s Still Our City, a podcast hosted by Harrison Christy and with Clair Morgan as co-host and producer through NODDERLY. "Yavé Rust is a Richmond, VA-based music producer and audio engineer specializing in metal and punk. Originating...

Topics: best Richmond DJs, best Richmond musicians, Richmond indie rock, richmond metal bands, Richmond music scene, Richmond punk scene, richmond record stores, rva hip hop artists, RVA local bands, RVA music venues

TO THE RVA MAG YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR THE LATEST VIDEOS