The energy in the city is palpable as the Memorial Day has passed, the cultural summer is officially in full swing and music is everywhere. This week Friday Cheers is back on with Sir Chloe headlining backed up by Richmond’s very own Prabir Trio and Miami’s Deaux Visages. All weekend long Charged Up Entertainment has organized a series of community events and concerts called Charged Up Fest, and IONNA drops new music this Saturday billing with some local indie/alt rock favorites. I’ve got it all for you and more on this week’s SOUND CHECK.
Are you a band with new music, a listener with suggestions, or just want to say hi? Send an email to Bones@rvamag.com
Friday Cheers
SIR CHLOE, DEAUX VISAGES, & PRABIR TRIO
Friday, May 31st @ Brown’s Island
Doors: 6:00 pm
Did you miss Friday Cheers last week? Well you’ll be glad to hear that it’s back in full force this Friday with an exciting lineup. Breaking from the country, bluegrass and blues theme of this year, Sir Chloe headlines this week bringing with them the dripping sounds of indie rock blended with dream pop that are sure to spell good vibes for an early summer evening. The alias of Dana Foote backed up by a four piece ensemble, this group out of Vermont have been playing since 2017 with two albums to their name and hundreds of millions of streams, they have found just about all the success that a musical act can hope for. Time will tell if they can keep the streak going.
In the middle of the evening concert goers will be graced by the sounds of Deaux Visages. Shoegazing with a poppy vocals is okay in my book, so I’m sure if you are of the same mind then you will not be disappointed by their guitar driven sound. This group out of Miami only have a few tracks released to the public as of yet, but their full and thoughtful sound spells good things for their future.
Opening the show is once again Prabir Mehta and is trio. Oh no, I have to talk about Prabir again. Oh well. A beautiful man with a wonderful story and kick ass music to boot, Prabrir Trio is a group that you are not going to want to miss, so get there when doors open at 6:00 pm to catch their 6:15 pm start time. I assure you that you will not be disappointed.
Local & Regional Acts to see
CHARGED UP FEST
May 30th – June 2nd @ Various Locations
Begins: May 30th, 7:00 pm @ Carytown Kroger
This sprawling festival will take place all over the city for four days of hip hop culture, community building events and concerts that is sure to bring a vibrant life to Richmond this weekend. The spawn of Charged Up Entertainment, a record label founded in 2002 by Noah O and company, this marks the inaugural run of what is hopefully a recurring event. Featuring just about everyone artist you could imagine from the Richmond hip hop scene, there might be too many single events for any one person to attend all of them, but you can for sure try. Some highlights include the opening community bike ride with the Broad Street Bullies starting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 30th at the Carytown Kroger, or perhaps the Grand Finale Concert featuring all these fine people:
Like I said; just about anyone from the Richmond hip hop scene that you can imagine. The hottest tickets in town, Charged Up Fest is shaping up to be one exciting and one of a kind showcase of local talent. If you can’t make one event, then by god just go to the next one.
THE MITRAS, IONNA & SPIRIT GUN
Saturday, June 1st @ The Camel
Doors: 8:00 pm
If there is one place for local rock and roll lovers this weekend, it’s The Camel on Saturday night. IONNA is releasing a new single “RAIN,” and I can attest that it is worth the hype. This dreamy pop ballad has moxie, power and a sick guitar solo to top it all off, so if you want to hear it performed live by one of Richmond’s up and coming solo artists, then I would recommend making your way to The Camel this Saturday. But of course it won’t just be IONNA on the bill, and she’s got two excellent supporting acts along for the ride.
Backing her up are The Mitras, Richmond’s very own grungy three piece are bringing their high energy lo-fi along this Saturday. The simple and honest tunes that spew forth from this uncomplicated ensemble are not only memorable, but also somehow catchy despite their garage and punk influences.
Also playing Saturday are Spirit Gun coming up from Norfolk. They’re opening this show and I don’t know how it could be starting stronger. Their harsh sound is full of raucous energy, especially from their lead singer whose distorted vocals exhibit a surprising amount of control. Their thick noise is grating in the most wonderful and glorious way imaginable, making this a show you are not going to want to miss.
local & regional releases
BEE BOY$OUL – MS REED (single)
Well this is an odd one, and I don’t exactly have a lot to say on it, but I just wanted to share this delightful little track with you. The newest addition to my Summer 2024 playlist, (follow along here!) this instrumental creation by Bee Boy$oul is nothing more than a couple minutes of delightful sounds and some memorable licks. That’s about it. Enjoy!
Top photo courtesy of Sir Chloe
