Sound Check | Franz Ferdinand, Marc Rebillet, Charm Offensive, a John Prine Memorial Show and more!

by | Sep 26, 2025 | DOWNTOWN RVA, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE

Nothing but crazy bangers this week. These are all pretty big shows but it’s some of the best of the best in their respective genres, all in Richmond this week. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.

Marc Rebillet, Gelli Haha, REINHOLD
Saturday, September 27th
Brown’s Island

Super cool act coming to Brown’s Island. Marc Rebillet is an NYC musician known for improvising tunes until he has a full-blown electronic party spawned out of nowhere. You can really feel the spontaneity in his music, never knowing what comes next or what wild direction a song will take. I don’t always gravitate toward experimental and electronic music, but Rebillet is undeniably groovy and easy to get into. With every song being unique, I have no doubt this show will be nuts.

Gelli Haha, self-described as “somewhere between Studio 54 and Area 51,” is a treat. They are hypnotic and easygoing, like a river of honey. This is the type of band that sounds like the future. They seem like they stepped out of some sleek and shiny machine, walked right on stage, and began to perform a strange and mesmerizing electronic set.

REINHOLD is the local act, and as I write this I’m midway through their hour-and-a-half-long piece dubbed Wintry 2025.It plays like an electronica symphony. The track has so many different and lively moments to explore, with phrases unraveling like new rooms being unlocked in a mansion. Definitely put this on for your next long drive and see all the different places it can take you.

Franz Ferdinand
Friday, September 26th
The National

“Take Me Out” is a goddamn amazing track. Franz Ferdinand will be at The National this weekend, and it’s bound to be a blast.

This band has had a chokehold on the generations that came up in the mid-2000s, and they’ve continued to walk side by side with bands like The Strokes and Interpol. Their take on indie rock helped propel popular music into a much dancier sphere, and they continue to inspire countless artists starting out today.

Even the most pretentious music snobs can’t help but tap their foot along to that bouncing hi-hat.

John Prine Memorial Show
Saturday, September 27th
The Camel

This warms my heart. John Prine was one of the greatest songwriters to ever strum a guitar. His passing at the start of the pandemic was a loss for music itself, and millions have been mourning ever since.

This weekend, half a dozen local artists will take the stage at The Camel to play their favorite Prine tunes. Each performer is more than capable of delivering a powerful tribute to one of America’s greats.

Charm Offensive, Strawberry Moon, The Smirks
Sunday, September 28th
The Camel

Charm Offensive are closing out their month-long residency at The Camel this week. This shoegaze outfit released a haunting EP last year that’s been in my rotation ever since. They capture a very specific dreamlike quality, and it’s no surprise they earned this residency. I’m hoping for more releases from this quartet soon.

I recently caught Strawberry Moon opening for Starcrawler at The Camel, where they delivered an undeniably rocking performance. This group knows how to command a stage and bring a song to life. Their sound is incredibly polished, and they never disappoint.

I’ve written about The Smirks a few times, but I’m never disappointed when I throw on “Riot” off their self-titled album. This band absolutely rips. They’re the perfect mix of garage and punk, coming together in a harsh, dancey sound. The vocals always grab me—pissed off, unapologetic, and fantastic.

New Tunes

Heavy Dream by DROPHEADS

Dropheads have been on a sick one with these singles. “Heavy Dreams is the newest iteration and it drives. They captured an absolutely huge stadium sound with this one. It’s a quick track but it feels like a heist, low to the ground and speeding. It feels garagey until more guitars kick in and you get this commanding pure rock sound. 

Swarm by House & Home

Slap to the face, get out of bed and get at it. Swarm is the newest single from House & Home and it is direct and powerful. They blend straight rock, punk, and emo incredibly well, not being defined by a single genre, rather letting the listener get lost in a stream of guitars and heavy hitting drums. The use of overlapping vocals is used to great effect to get multiple ideas moving in the same moment. Overall an anthemic hit.

PR photo of Franz Ferdinand


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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!

THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Friday, 9/26 The Baseball Project feat. members of R.E.M. and The Dream Syndicate w/ The Minus 5
  • Sunday, 9/28 Hello from the Magic Tavern: The Ten Year Tour
  • Saturday, 10/4 Slow Crush w/ Faetooth and NVM
  • Tuesday, 10/7 John Maus: Later Than You Think Tour
  • Saturday, 10/11 Dogpark w/ Rehash
  • Tuesday, 10/14 Pokey LaFarge w/ DJ Faby Baby
  • Thursday, 10/16 Clay Street Unit w/ Valley Flower
  • Monday, 10/27 Nation of Language w/ Deeper
  • Tuesday, 11/4 IAMX: Fault Lines 2 Tour w/ CLUB DRUGS and IONNA
  • Wednesday, 11/5 Kitchen Dwellers w/ Pressing Strings
  • Thursday, 11/6 The Motet w/ Michael Wilbur
  • Friday, 11/7 The Last Waltz presented by The Southern Belles
  • Wednesday, 11/12 The New Mastersounds: “Ta‑Ta For Now” Farewell USA Tour
  • Friday, 11/14 Tophouse
  • Sunday, 11/16 The Lemonheads: Love Chant World Tour w/ Erin Rae
  • Friday, 11/21 Liam St. John w/ Joshua Quimby
  • Tuesday, 12/2 Belmont w/ Avoid and Super Sometimes
  • Friday, 12/5 The Southern Belles “Debutante Ball”
  • Thursday, 12/11 Too Many Zooz: Caravan Tour


THE CAMEL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Thursday, 9/25 – Nerd Alert, The Norms, Nucleus Trio, The 419 · Doors: 7:00 PM
  • Friday, 9/26 – Blues & Brews: Joe The Spy
  • Friday, 9/26 – The Auricular 7th Anniversary Party w/ Bucko, Flora & The Fauna, Art School, The Potted Plants · Doors: 9:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9/27 – Camel Sessions · Doors: 2:30 PM
  • Saturday, 9/27 – John Prine Memorial · Doors: 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, 9/28 – Drag Brunch: King Collective · 11:00 AM
  • Sunday, 9/28 – Sunday Staff Picks: Charm Offensive, Strawberry Moon, The Smirks · Doors: 7:00 PM
  • Monday, 9/29 – Camel Karaoke · Doors: 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday, 9/30 – Mary Moore, Jane O’Neil, Alex Saddic, Vinnie Paolizzi · Doors: 7:00 PM

Upcoming in October:

  • Monday, 10/6 – Equipment
  • Wednesday, 10/8 – Trash Panda
  • Tuesday, 10/14 – BRNDA
  • Saturday, 10/18 – Kind Hearted Strangers
  • Monday, 10/20 – RIGOMETRICS


THE NATIONAL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Thursday, 9/25 Young the Giant w/ Cassandra Coleman
  • Friday, 9/26 Franz Ferdinand
  • Saturday, 9/27 Jeremy Zucker
  • Sunday, 9/28 Panchiko
  • Sunday, 10/5 Bladee
  • Tuesday, 10/7 Neko Case w/ Des Demonas
  • Thursday, 10/9 Peach Pit
  • Saturday, 10/11 JP Saxe
  • Sunday, 10/12 2hollis
  • Tuesday, 10/14 Sir Chloe
  • Friday, 10/17 JOHNNYSWIM
  • Tuesday, 10/21 A.J. Croce
  • Wednesday, 10/22 Saint Motel
  • Friday, 10/24 Chris DiStefano (Comedy)
  • Sunday, 10/26 Lawrence
  • Tuesday, 10/28 King Princess
  • Friday, 10/31 Ty Myers
  • Sunday, 11/2 Sunami & Scowl w/ Nuovo Testamento, Whispers
  • Friday, 11/21 Jonathan Van Ness
  • Saturday, 11/29 Zakk Sabbath w/ Bonfire and Dark Chapel
  • Monday, 12/8 Whitechapel w/ Bodysnatcher, AngelMaker, Disembodied Tyrant
  • Friday, 12/19 49 Winchester w/ The Vegabonds, Sela Campbell
  • Saturday, 12/20 49 Winchester w/ Maggie Antone


ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Thursday, 9/25 Alex Warren – Cheaper Than Therapy Tour
  • Thursday & Friday, 10/2 & 10/3 An Evening With Goose (two nights)
  • Tuesday, 10/21 Tedeschi Trucks Band with special guest Little Feat


FUNNY BONE RICHMOND

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  • Wednesday, 10/1 Cindy Kaza
  • Thursday, 10/2 Trae Crowder
  • Friday–Saturday, 10/3–10/4 Adam Ray (multiple shows)
  • Friday, 10/10 Lil Mo Mozzarella (multiple shows)
  • Sunday, 10/12 Lucas Zelnick
  • Wednesday, 10/15 Trish Suhr
  • Thursday, 10/16 Nacho Redondo (en Español)
  • Friday–Saturday, 10/17–10/18 Jared Freid (multiple shows)
  • Sunday, 10/19 Shuler King (multiple shows)
  • Thursday, 10/23 Jeff Allen
  • Friday, 10/24 Chente Ydrach (multiple shows)
  • Saturday–Sunday, 10/25–10/26 DC Young Fly (multiple shows)
  • Thursday, 10/30 The Magic of Eric Eaton
  • Friday–Saturday, 10/31–11/1 Damon Williams (multiple shows)

  • Wednesday, 11/5 Kristin Key
  • Friday–Saturday, 11/7–11/8 Gianmarco Soresi: Drama King (multiple shows)
  • Sunday, 11/9 Remo Millz: Comedy Collective
  • Wednesday, 11/12 Kevin James Thornton
  • Thursday, 11/13 Tom Shillue
  • Friday–Saturday, 11/14–11/15 Dylan Carlino (multiple shows)
  • Sunday, 11/16 Amber Autry
  • Thursday, 11/20 Heather Shaw
  • Friday–Saturday, 11/21–11/22 Derrick Stroup (multiple shows)
  • Tuesday, 11/25 The Rich Guzzi Comedy Hypnosis Show
  • Friday–Saturday, 11/28–11/29 David Koechner & “The Office Trivia” with Todd Packer

  • Wednesday, 12/3 Jimmy Dore
  • Thursday, 12/4 Are You Garbage: Back on the Block Tour
  • Friday–Sunday, 12/5–12/7 DeRay Davis (multiple shows)
  • Wednesday, 12/10 Jackie Fabulous
  • Thursday, 12/11 Sammy Obeid
  • Friday–Saturday, 12/12–12/13 Marcus D. Wiley (multiple shows)
  • Thursday–Saturday, 12/18–12/20 Rocky Dale Davis (multiple shows)


THe CanAL CLUB

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Wednesday, 10/15 10 Years
  • Saturday, 11/8 Baby Bugs w/ Abigail Osborn
  • Sunday, 11/9 GBH w/ Slaughterhouse, The Mainliners
  • Tuesday, 11/18 Koyo w/ Ben Quad, Restraining Order
  • Saturday, 11/29 Cattle Decapitation w/ ABORTED, Frozen Soul, Tribal Gaze


EMBER MUSIC HALL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Saturday, 9/27 Layz: The Blackout No Signal Tour
  • Friday, 10/10 Anime Rave
  • Saturday, 10/11 Cash Cash
  • Thursday, 12/4 TroyBoi Presents: Hear2Move Tour (360° set performance)


LOSO NIGHTCLUB

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Saturday, October 4 AQUTIE w/ J. Kirven


ANOTHER ROUND BAR & GRILL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Friday, 10/31 Halloween Metal Party: Pissing Razors and Single Bullet Theory
Griffin Smalley

Griffin Smalley

My name is Griffin Strummer Smalley and naturally with that name I am a massive music fan. Primarily you can find me fronting local punk band Artschool! 22 years old and mainly focusing on snuffing out nihilism. Keep on livin'




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