I believe a bunch of bands from Richmond have it in ‘em to drive off into the future, and I see a few of that lot on these shows right here. I can’t wait to say, “I saw so-and-so at Bandito’s, and now they’re headlining Coachella!”

Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.

FRIDAY CHEERS! Bully, Rikki Rakki
Friday, May 9th, 2025
Brown’s Island

Bully is a longstanding classic in the Smalley household. The project of Alicia Bognanno has seen widespread appreciation, especially since the 2023 album Lucky For You, which featured a collaboration with Soccer Mommy. Bognanno approaches the project with concentrated tenacity and an undivided ethic. There’s no apology in the delivery of Bully. Sonically, they’ve taken the best aspects of the ’90s and injected them into the pulsing veins of modern indie rock. Bully is the kind of injection each and every one of us desperately needs.

Rikki Rakki is taking the big stage. At this point, they’re really a Richmond institution—a city staple. I find a lot of strength in Rikki Rakki, a drive that bolsters my defenses and holds the banner high. It’s not easy to feel invincible, but Rikki Rakki will get you there.

Human Worm (Album Release), Cyber Twin, Deathcat, Bucko
TSaturday, may 10th 2025
The Camel

We are finally getting more Human Worm! 2024 saw the release of their debut single “Mega Bitch,” which was an instant banger. They masterfully play with effects to create an intense, punchy sound, and I can’t wait to see how they develop these themes on the album. I have to imagine this one’s going to get a strong reaction.

Cyber Twin is a super energetic garage outfit that really reminds me of NYC’s Thick. They have a fantastic way of blending guitars and vocals into a straightforward, pedal-to-the-floor sound.

Deathcat is one of the most promising acts to emerge from the post-COVID musical renaissance in Richmond. In fact, I’d bet the better part of my bank account that you’ll see these gals on bigger stages than Richmond can offer within a few years.

And on the topic of bands that seem to be on a generational run—Bucko! Bucko delivers some of the most fun, tight, and exciting performances in the city. If you haven’t seen ’em yet, they go on last, they go on loud, and brother, you are there.

This show is also a benefit for a local nonprofit that supports immigrants in our community. So if you needed any extra incentive—your ticket does some good too.

Boston Manor, Farmer’s Wife, Spaced, Ellis
Sunday, May 11th, 2025
Richmond Music Hall

Hailing from the other end of the Atlantic, the UK’s Boston Manor are making a beachhead on American soil. The phrase that comes to mind when listening to them is party rock. There’s a hint of club beats in the mix, but it’s all paired with the post-punk guitars that have been driving the UK and Ireland into the 22nd century. They’re a professional-sounding group, and I get the feeling they can throw a hell of a show.

Farmer’s Wife is a surfy group from Texas with some wonderfully bendy guitars that I adore. Their atmosphere is heavy and dark, and I think the production at Richmond Music Hall will suit them just right.

SPACED is a new gem to me. They’re prime hardcore—leaning more on the chugging side than pure speed. In my eyes, that equals a great fuckin’ pit.

Canada’s Ellis is a full 180 from SPACED. This is pure dream, whimsy, and vivid imagery. A real angel/devil on-the-shoulder situation with these openers.

NEW TUNES

‘Reincarnation Blues‘ by Prabir Trio

A straight-up apt name. This track is a prime example of blending styles, instrumentation, and ideas. It takes a classic blues riff and layers it with existential vocals—but what really pushes it over the edge is the introduction of (what I believe is) a sitar, paired with Prabir’s outlook on what comes after that heavy nod off.

This is probably my favorite Prabir track to date.

‘IF I GOT U HIGH‘ by CHRISTIAN and Mid

I’ve been an avid CHRISTIAN listener since the original two releases. This latest track, a collaboration with Mid, delivers a true tear-at-the-heart tune. The song is bursting at the seams with Mid’s signature progressions and Christian’s sweet, sweet voice.

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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

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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!

THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Thursday, 5/8 The Avett Brothers
• Saturday, 5/10 Fighting Gravity w/ Pat McGee Band and Virginia Coalition
• Saturday, 5/10 Taylor’s Version VA
• Saturday, 5/10 South Hill Banks w/ JBB
• Sunday, 5/11 Boston Manor w/ Farmer’s Wife, Spaced, and Ellis
• Tuesday, 5/13 Brett Dennen: Spring Road Trip Tour w/ Amber Rubarth
• Wednesday, 5/14 TRSH: The Type Shit Tour! w/ doan, Summerbruise, and Dear Maryanne
• Thursday, 5/15 Trousdale: Growing Pains Tour w/ Beane, Nia Ashleigh, and Buffchick (collab set)
• Thursday, 5/15 Vs Self w/ Punxsutawney and Ostraca
• Friday, 5/16 Dizgo w/ Marshall Family Values
• Friday, 5/16 The Eras Party: A Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party (18+)
• Saturday, 5/17 Arm’s Length w/ Prince Daddy & The Hyena, Riley!, and Bike Routes
• Saturday, 5/17 Ward Davis – Solo Acoustic
• Sunday, 5/18 Mako Music School
• Sunday, 5/18 Upchuck w/ ArtSchool and Molt
• Monday, 5/19 Pet Symmetry w/ Pony and Jimmy Montague
• Wednesday, 5/21 The Last Revel w/ Kindred Valley
• Thursday, 5/22 Slackjaw w/ Parris Bridge and Bend the Knee
• Friday, 5/23 Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish
• Saturday, 5/24 Flora & The Fauna w/ Pr<3gnancy Scare, The Kyles, and Tiny City
• Saturday, 5/24 Future Islands
• Sunday, 5/25 Eliza & The Delusionals w/ Kate Stephenson and KARINA
• Tuesday, 5/27 A Place to Bury Strangers w/ The Serfs
• Wednesday, 5/28 Max Diaz: Bullseye Tour w/ The Missing Peace and Followship
• Thursday, 5/29 Colby Acuff
• Thursday, 5/29 Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys: 30th Anniversary Celebration
• Friday, 5/30 Hudson Westbrook w/ Reid Haughton
• Friday, 5/30 The Pink Stones + Ma’aM w/ Chris Leggett
• Saturday, 5/31 Logan Crosby w/ Clayton Mullen
• Saturday, 5/31 SLEAZE FREAKS: AN INDIE SLEAZE DANCE PARTY (18+)​
  
  
• Sunday, 6/1 Noah-O “Heretic” Album Release Concert
• Wednesday, 6/4 Pallbearer w/ Cinder Well and Book of Wyrms
• Thursday, 6/5 Neighbor w/ Big Holler
• Saturday, 6/7 American Aquarium w/ Justin Wells
• Wednesday, 6/11 Bad Suns w/ Little Image and The Ramona Flowers
• Friday, 6/13 Restrictor Plate w/ Crown Vic, Short Bus Pile Up, and Doomhauer
• Saturday, 6/14 Pet Bandana, Boat Church, Noah Jasper
• Sunday, 6/15 Hello Mary x Lip Critic
• Tuesday, 6/17 Cults w/ zzzahara
• Thursday, 6/19 Mitchell Ferguson w/ Luke Borchelt
• Friday, 6/20 Honey Revenge w/ Daisy Grenade, Vana, and Nightlife
• Friday, 6/20 Langhorne Slim
• Saturday, 6/21 Niiasii, CAM GIRL, Lifeline, Joi Polloi
• Saturday, 6/21 United We Dance: The Ultimate Rave Experience (18+)
• Thursday, 6/26 Moon Hooch w/ DJ Juicy Josh​

• Friday, 7/11 Be Kind & Rewind x 1996 90’s Night
• Monday, 7/14 Teddy Swims: Everything But Therapy Tour
• Tuesday, 7/15 Mates of State
• Sunday, 7/20 Todd Rundgren: STILL ME (STILL WE)
• Monday, 7/21 Rose City Band
• Wednesday, 7/23 Iron & Wine and I’m With Her – Robin’s Egg Tour w/ Ken Pomeroy
• Thursday, 7/24 Lawn Boys – Phish Tribute
• Friday, 7/25 The Police Experience: 45th Anniversary of Zenyatta Mondatta
• Saturday, 7/26 Age of Madness
• Sunday, 7/27 Thank You Scientist w/ Spilly Cave
• Thursday, 7/31 The Wildmans

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THE CAMEL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Thursday, 5/8 Camel Comedy Happy Hour Open Mic
• Thursday, 5/8 Bermuda Search Party w/ Cannibal Kids, Tyler Meacham
• Friday, 5/9 Blues & Brews: Kurt Crandall & True Story
• Friday, 5/9 Box Factory EP Release w/ Shagg Carpet and Cherry Moon
• Saturday, 5/10 Human Worm Album Release w/ Cyber Twin, DeathCat, Bucko
• Sunday, 5/11 Brunch w/ Craigslist Jerry
• Sunday, 5/11 Adeem the Artist
• Monday, 5/12 Beatific Richmond with Poets for Peace, Poems for People Virginia & the Vagabond Poetry Caravan National Tour
• Tuesday, 5/13 The Bachelor Boys Wedding Band
• Tuesday, 5/13 Soul Blind w/ Suntitle, Day Aches
• Wednesday, 5/14 Scarlet House w/ sodistilled, Sleepy Opiate
• Friday, 5/16 Beers & Banjos: Hogweed
• Friday, 5/16 Imaginary Sons, Dropheads, Velvet Toad, Dials
• Sunday, 5/18 Brandi’s Birthday Brunch feat. Unexpected Sunday Band
• Sunday, 5/18 Volcandra w/ Saidan
• Monday, 5/19 Young Medicine, Unsafe Unsound, In Stasis
• Tuesday, 5/20 Mournful Congregation w/ Ilsa, Night Hag
• Wednesday, 5/21 Melissa Carper w/ Todd Day Waits
• Thursday, 5/22 Camel Comedy Happy Hour Open Mic
• Thursday, 5/22 John Francis O’Mara w/ Josh Owens, National Public Rodeo
• Friday, 5/23 Blues & Brews: Johnny Burgin
• Friday, 5/23 Parsley, Darlington Pair, Shagg Carpet
• Sunday, 5/25 One in the Chamber (Breakdancing Battles)
• Monday, 5/26 Camel Karaoke hosted by James Munoz
• Tuesday, 5/27 Worlds Greatest Dad, Downhaul, Dead Billionaires, Darling.jpg
• Wednesday, 5/28 Open Mic Hosted by Warren Campbell of Dead Billionaires
• Thursday, 5/29 Cody Christian & The Congregation, Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir, Lillian Hackett
• Friday, 5/30 Beers & Banjos: Cary Street Ramblers
• Friday, 5/30 Palm Palm Night One w/ Shagwuf
• Saturday, 5/31 Palm Palm Night Two w/ Community Witch​
  
  
• Tuesday, 6/3 Leisure Hour, Cinema Stare, Padfoot, Longsleeves
• Thursday, 6/5 Solar Circuit
• Friday, 6/6 Beers & Banjos: Slack Family Band
• Friday, 6/6 Erin & The Wildfire’s First Fridays
• Saturday, 6/7 Ten Pound Snail w/ Nematode, Twin Films
• Monday, 6/9 Heavy is The Head, Earth Burial, Bleed Out, Wasted Space
• Tuesday, 6/10 Bug Hunter and The Narcissist Cookbook
• Friday, 6/13 Kendall Street Company – Night One
• Saturday, 6/14 Kendall Street Company – Night Two
• Wednesday, 6/18 Fo Daniels w/ Gooseberry
• Friday, 6/20 Beers & Banjos: Garden Variety String Band
• Saturday, 6/21 Richmond Synth Collective: Synthesis Solstice
• Thursday, 6/26 Doll Baby, Northeast Regional, Mega Soma, Sub 
  
  
• Friday, 7/4 Beers & Banjos: Slack Family Band
• Friday, 7/11 Erin & The Wildfire’s First Fridays
• Sunday, 7/13 Brunch w/ Craigslist Jerry
• Sunday, 7/13 Wim Tapley & The Cannons
• Friday, 7/18 Beers & Banjos: Garden Variety String Band
• Wednesday, 7/23 Cold Gawd

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THE NATIONAL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Friday, 5/9 – Zoso – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience
• Saturday, 5/10 – BoyWithUke with Ethan Bortnick
• Tuesday, 5/13 – Silverstein with Real Friends, Broadside, and Greyhaven
• Friday, 5/16 – Livingston
• Saturday, 5/17 – Electric Feel
• Monday, 5/19 – MJ Lenderman
• Tuesday, 5/20 – Lucius with Victoria Canal
• Wednesday, 5/21 – The Wonder Years with Kevin Devine
• Saturday, 5/24 – Future Islands
• Sunday, 5/25 – Nekrogoblikon with Revocation and Brat Ov Sulfur
• Monday, 5/26 – Lil Poppa with Jdot Breezy
• Tuesday, 5/27 – Corinne Bailey Rae
• Thursday, 5/29 – The Menzingers with Lucero and Queen of Jeans
  
  
• Monday, 6/2 – Ninja Sex Party with TWRP
• Saturday, 6/7 – Sunny Day Real Estate with Cloud Nothings
• Monday, 6/9 – JPEGMAFIA
• Wednesday, 6/11 – Robin Trower
• Thursday, 6/12 – Jack’s Mannequin
• Saturday, 6/14 – Illiterate Light with Mo Lowda & the Humble
• Wednesday, 6/18 – Aimee Mann with Jonathan Coulton
• Friday, 6/20 – Pecos & the Rooftops
• Tuesday, 6/24 – Coco Jones with Lady London
• Thursday, 6/26 – Trevor Wallace
  
  
• Friday, 7/18 – Rick Wakeman
• Saturday, 7/19 – A Flock of Seagulls with Bow Wow Wow and Animotion
• Tuesday, 7/22 – JoJo Siwa

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ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Friday, 6/6 – Kansas & 38 Special with The Outlaws
• Saturday, 6/7 – Rick Springfield – I WANT MY 80S TOUR
• Tuesday, 6/10 – DISPATCH with John Butler (with band) – Summer Tour 2025
• Wednesday, 6/11 – Glass Animals – Tour Of Earth
• Thursday, 6/19 – Boyz II Men
• Saturday, 6/21 – Dwight Yoakam
• Thursday, 6/26 – Parker McCollum Tour

• Thursday, 7/10 – KIDZ BOP LIVE – Certified BOP Tour
• Saturday, 7/12 – Counting Crows – The Complete Sweets! Tour with The Gaslight Anthem
• Tuesday, 7/15 – Dave Matthews Band
• Wednesday, 7/16 – Dave Matthews Band
• Thursday, 7/17 – Brad Paisley – Truck Still Works World Tour
• Saturday, 7/19 – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• Thursday, 7/24 – Lamb of God
• Saturday, 7/26 – Whiskey Myers – “What We Were Born To Do” Tour 2025
  
  
• Friday, 8/1 – The Head And The Heart – Aperture Tour
• Wednesday, 8/6 – Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder – The Brotherhood of Rock Tour
• Sunday, 8/10 – Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts – Love Earth
• Saturday, 8/23 – Bailey Zimmerman – New To Country Summer Tour
• Sunday, 8/24 – The Red Clay Strays – Get Right Tour 2025
• Tuesday, 8/26 – Simple Plan – Bigger Than You Think! Tour
• Thursday, 8/28 – Gavin Adcock – Need to Tour
• Friday, 8/29 – Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
  
  
• Monday, 9/1 – James Taylor and His All-Star Band
• Saturday, 9/6 – The Crooner & The Cowboy: Leon Bridges with Charley Crockett
• Saturday, 9/20 – Steve Martin & Martin Short – The Dukes Of Funnytown!
• Monday, 9/22 – “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour
  
  
• Tuesday, 10/21 – Tedeschi Trucks Band with Very Special Guest Little Feat: Live in 25

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FUNNY BONE RICHMOND

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Sunday, 6/1 – Connor Wood Presents: Fibs & Friends featuring Maggie Winters
• Thursday, 6/5 – Cliff Cash
• Friday, 6/6 – Rickey Smiley
• Saturday, 6/7 – Rickey Smiley
• Sunday, 6/8 – My Cousin Tiera
• Monday, 6/9 – Doug Stanhope
• Wednesday, 6/11 – Shapel Lacey
• Thursday, 6/12 – Phyllis Yvonne Stickney
• Friday, 6/13 – Phil Hanley
• Saturday, 6/14 – Phil Hanley
• Thursday, 6/19 – Mona: Don’t Call Me Whitegirl
• Friday, 6/20 – Ashley Gavin: Hype Man
• Saturday, 6/21 – Ashley Gavin: Hype Man
• Sunday, 6/22 – Manny ThaGod & Hilarious Omar: Let Them Cook Tour
• Wednesday, 6/25 – Cindy Kaza
• Thursday, 6/26 – Aaron Branch & Herman Wrice: The Dysfunctional Friends Tour
• Friday, 6/27 – Tony Rock
• Saturday, 6/28 – Tony Rock
• Sunday, 6/29 – Tony Rock

• Tuesday, 7/1 – The Unteachables Comedy Tour
• Sunday, 7/6 – Tim Shropshire
• Thursday, 7/10 – Zach Rushing
• Friday, 7/11 – Michael Blackson
• Saturday, 7/12 – Michael Blackson
• Sunday, 7/13 – Nick Deez
• Tuesday, 7/15 – UPDATING
• Thursday, 7/17 – Ben Brainard
• Friday, 7/18 – Andrew Dismukes
• Saturday, 7/19 – Andrew Dismukes
• Sunday, 7/20 – Maurice Benard
• Thursday, 7/24 – Dustin Nickerson
• Friday, 7/25 – Dustin Nickerson
• Saturday, 7/26 – Rob Schneider
• Sunday, 7/27 – Correy Bell
• Tuesday, 7/29 – Patrick Warburton

• Friday, 8/1 – Gabriel Rutledge
• Saturday, 8/2 – Gabriel Rutledge
• Thursday, 8/7 – Tanael Joachim
• Friday, 8/8 – Don “DC” Curry
  
• Friday, 9/13 – Tyler Fischer
• Thursday, 9/25 – Gary Owen
• Friday, 9/26 – Gary Owen
• Saturday, 9/27 – Gary Owen

• Thursday, 10/2 – Trae Crowder
• Friday, 10/3 – Adam Ray
• Saturday, 10/4 – Adam Ray
• Sunday, 10/12 – Lucas Zelnick
• Friday, 10/17 – Jared Freid
• Saturday, 10/18 – Jared Freid
• Thursday, 10/23 – Jeff Allen
• Saturday, 10/25 – DC Young Fly
• Sunday, 10/26 – DC Young Fly
• Thursday, 10/30 – The Magic of Eric Eaton

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THe CanAL CLUB

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Friday, 5/9 – CLUB XCX: A Bratty Charli XCX Night
• Wednesday, 5/14 – Upon a Burning Body
• Saturday, 5/17 – Gimme Gimme Disco: A Dance Party Inspired by ABBA
• Monday, 5/26 – Foxy Shazam
• Friday, 5/30 – Harm’s Way & Full of Hell
• Saturday, 5/31 – In Her Own Words​
  

• Saturday, 6/7 – A Sound of Thunder
• Tuesday, 6/10 – Youth Fountain & Good Terms
• Thursday, 6/12 – Keep Flying
• Sunday, 6/15 – Origami Angel
• Tuesday, 6/17 – Heart Attack Man
• Wednesday, 6/18 – One Step Closer
• Thursday, 6/19 – Rivers of Nihil
• Saturday, 6/21 – Afterlyfe
• Friday, 6/27 – The Fall of Troy
• Saturday, 6/28 – WeTouchGrass: Anime Rave​
  

• Tuesday, 7/8 – Carnifex
• Friday, 7/11 – Eyes of the Nile
• Saturday, 7/12 – Archers
• Monday, 7/14 – Daisyhead
• Wednesday, 7/30 – Anthony Green
  
• Friday, 8/22 – Boundaries
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• Tuesday, 9/9 – Autohert

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EMBER MUSIC HALL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Saturday, 5/10 – Ellie Quinn Presents: Payback is a Pastie
• Saturday, 5/10 – Daft Disko: French House & Disco
• Friday, 5/16 – Cyclops
• Saturday, 5/17 – Riot! at the Disco – Emo/Pop Punk Nite
• Friday, 5/23 – Lady Faith
• Saturday, 5/24 – all.Lo Collective
• Friday, 5/30 – 2000’s Rave
  
  
• Tuesday, 6/3 – Red Leather
• Thursday, 6/5 – Zen Selekta
• Saturday, 6/7 – i2K: Electronic Music Festival
• Sunday, 6/8 – Reverend Horton Heat
• Thursday, 6/12 – Wonky Willa
• Saturday, 6/14 – The Crystal Method
• Friday, 6/20 – Chromeo 360 DJ Set
• Saturday, 6/21 – Hardwired: A Metallica Tribute
• Sunday, 6/29 – Faster Pussycat
  

• Friday, 7/11 – Breathe Carolina
• Saturday, 7/12 – Hot In Herre: 2000s Dance Party
• Friday, 7/18 – ATLiens
• Sunday, 7/20 – From London With Love: A Tribute to Amy Winehouse & Adele
• Thursday, 7/24 – Huntley
• Saturday, 7/26 – Grateful for Biggie
• Sunday, 7/27 – Blue Hundreds Tour: King Lil G, Young Drummer Boy, Hexxx
• Thursday, 7/31 – Riot Ten
  
• Friday, 8/1 – Barrington Levy
  
• Tuesday, 9/9 – Kamiyada+ & Lit Lords | From The Shadows Tour
• Friday, 9/19 – Sander Van Doorn

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LOSO NIGHTCLUB

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• Friday, 5/9 – Elliott & Julian Goddard (Hybrid Live Set) + Museum District
• Saturday, 5/10 – Life on Planets w/ Mass FX
• Friday, 5/16 – Chuck Meister w/ Kyed
• Saturday, 5/17 – Tony Romera w/ Zaytek b2b Chicas, David Goza & Tino
• Friday, 5/23 – Sidepiece Patio Party: Burl Faircloth
• Saturday, 5/24 – Sidepiece Patio Party: Al Lupo & DJ Paul Breedlove
• Friday, 5/30 – Party Liberation Foundation w/ KKMG, Imocean, Reinhold, Wrath, Crenshaw & Gon
• Saturday, 5/31 – Hercules & Love Affair (DJ Set)
  

• Friday, 6/13 – Misha w/ J.Parrish
• Saturday, 6/14 – Soul Clap
• Saturday, 6/21 – DJ Matpat
  
• Saturday, 7/5 – Evan Baggs