This week has me chomping at the bit and howling at the moon. Some heavy hitters are rolling through Richmond—artists who’ve already left a mark on the scene. Time to meet your heroes.

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

MJ Lenderman & the Wind, This is Lorelei
Monday, May 19th, 2025
The National

If you’re not excited for this, you’ll have to answer to God and all the quirked-up college kids at VCU. MJ Lenderman has taken the vanguard role in the wave of fuzzy western music. His meteoric rise is a reflection of just how powerful this sound has become—a reflection of the neo-cowboy life we all dream of when society feels a little too far gone. I can safely say Lenderman has had a huge influence on our city’s scenes. Bands like Bucko and Deathcat are a direct reaction to this grander movement, and its roots in Richmond are strong.

This is Lorelei comes from a similar place, with a little more indie rock mixed in. They remind me of early Wallows, back when they still had heart. This group feels like the friend who always walks away unscathed—even if they’re crawling out of a turned-over car, they’ve only got a scratch.

Upchuck, Artschool, Molt
SUNDAY, may 18th 2025
Richmond Music Hall

Upchuck from Atlanta is fire and abrasion in that cataclysmic youth sense. Their show at The Camel last year was one of the tightest, most energetic performances I’ve ever seen. While we’re talking about greats among the good, you’ll have no choice but to watch singer KT blast and bark across the stage like a ruthless sergeant storming a hill, spurring her troops into the fray. I genuinely believe she’s one of the best frontpeople in American music right now.

My band Artschool is on in support with a handful of new songs. I’ve been obsessed with the idea of “long-term nuclear waste warning,” so that’s the channel we’re tapping into for this set. Molt opens it up with pure spew—ridden high on adrenaline and research chemicals, purging themselves into an egregious tomorrow. If you liked Ratfight, the openers from the last Upchuck show, you’ll love these guys. They’ve got it going on.

Imaginary Sons, Dropheads, Velvet Toad, Dials
Friday, May 16th, 2025
The Camel

Imaginary Sons are kicking it. It’s been almost a decade since their last release, so I’m hopeful for new and bright things. They sincerely know how to rock a guitar track and lay down some smooth vocals. I think they can make The Camel feel big with that humongous sound. I’d love to see them play with the Palm Palm revival.

Dropheads are straightforward rockers. The trio kicked off in early 2022 and got a solid response to their debut dual singles in 2023—both tracks pulling in a few thousand streams. They remind me a bit of Together Pangea, with a hint of that Cali sound.

This looks like an early show for Velvet Toad. Not much out there on them yet, but they seem groovy and easy to dance to.

Dials is the solo project of Wrong Worshippers drummer Milo McAdams, and it’s safe to say it’s one of a kind. Easily one of the most creative solo sets I’ve seen—McAdams fills the role of a full band while seated on his drum throne, wailing on programmed pads and his barbed-wire kit.

Main photo: Upchuck, photo by Cory Jones

NEW TUNES

‘James River‘ by Rikki Rakki

There’s an absolute beauty on Sing, Cicadas! by Rikki Rakki. I love locational music, and this one feels like home sweet home. It’s got all the sweet serenity of laying on the rocks at Belle Isle, watching cars whoosh into the city on some high-up bridge. And through it all, you just know—you’re home. Rikki Rakki have done an amazing job of encapsulating the city.

‘I can wait all summer but I cannot wait all winter‘ by Twin Films

Twin Films’ versatility never ceases to amaze me. This track captures such a beautifully bittersweet feeling, and the instrumentation nails the full range—tension, rage, sadness, and relief. They’ve really landed on an anthem with that chorus, and I can’t wait to see it live.

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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!

THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

• 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

• 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, 5/16 – 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

• 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

• 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, 5/16 – 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