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Sound Check | Say She She, Strawberry Moon, NO BS! Brass, & More!

by | Jun 25, 2025 | DOWNTOWN RVA, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE

Every day we grow the good name of Richmond music. Slowly but surely, we’re taking our place on the nation’s grand stage, showing the rest of the country what we have to offer in nearly every genre. This week’s shows are a continual testament to that fact.

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

Friday Cheers
Say She She, Big Fancy
Friday June 27th, 2025
Brown’s Island 

Say She She is bringing the ever-artsy Brooklyn sound to Friday Cheers. They’re channeling all the whimsy and joy of a ’70s disco floor, paired with the more grounded views and atmospheric vibes that came with the decades that followed. I’m happy to see them play such an iconic RVA spot, but I’d sure love to catch them in a dingy club—walls sweating, dancing from floor to ceiling.

Big Fancy are the self-described “milkshake” locals. They’ve got two songs out from last year—pure, pure dreamy. Listening to Big Fancy feels like taking in a grand painting in a modern art gallery, late at night, when you know you’re alive and it ain’t time to turn in yet.

Strawberry Moon, Kitty Corner, Hotspit
Friday June 27th, 2025
The Camel 

If you haven’t been blasting Smoon, Strawberry Moon’s most recent release—what are you doing??? They’re back home in cozy ol’ Richmond after a successful tour that took them all the way up to Canada. Their surfy sound is mesmerizing, and they’ve truly outdone themselves with this latest EP.

We are in desperate need of a Kitty Corner release. The local college rock/emo group makes great rounds in the clubs and DIY holes of Richmond, but I’m dying to hear it at home. Hotspit, meanwhile, is a truly original expedition into alt-rock. There’s a softness—or maybe a vulnerability—that defines their sound. I love when hints of Americana guitar or choir vocals suddenly spring to life.

No BS! Brass, Knifing Around
Friday June 27th, 2025
The Broadberry

No BS! Brass has long been a staple of the Richmond scene, with an original release dating back to 2009. They’re a testament to the dedication and powerful cooperation that defines RVA—bringing together an untold number of local talents into one massive, horn-filled sound. They balance blaring anthems with crispy, crooning night swings. They’ve been a pivotal and inspirational force here. It’s not every day you see local artists pulling over a million listens on multiple songs. Blare away, No BS! Blare away!

Love to see a good mixed bill. Knifing Around is a keystone post-punk outfit in town. I’m always blown away by their eclectic vocalist, who bounces and dives around the stage. They’re a great band to dance to—disco drums paired with the kind of atmospheric melodies they’ve clearly mastered.

New Tunes

“Road Ahead (R.E.H.A.B.)” by djGroovWav

I am really happy that this ended up on my desk. Road Ahead is one of many new singles by djGroovWav. It has a really visceral tenacity to it, and I think the cover really sells the lone wanderer aesthetic, carving a path through damned plateau. Feels futuristic, feels nostalgic, feels like seeing looming storm clouds. The country/western feel to this song is incredibly cinematic and powerful. No shortage of djGroovWav singles right now so go check em out. 

“Nightmare” by Distress and Taylor Barber

“Nightmare” is the absolutely nightmarish sophomore single by local metalcore outfit Distress. This one saw the collaboration with Taylor Barber of Atlanta’s Left to Suffer. The drums in this song are moving like a runaway train, while the dual vocals are melting their ribs down to get it out. This one is going on the gym playlist for sure. 

“Infinity” by Lucid Evolution

I have found myself more and more into atmospheric and soundscapey songs, which lines up perfectly with the release of “Infinity” by Lucid Evolution. They have released a radio edit this week, but I think first you have to listen to the full 7 minute version that the band released the previous week. The song is an absolute space journey, with fascinating moments of looking out the window and seeing new planets, debris filled belts, and waves of color that have yet to be named.

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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!

THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • 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

THE CAMEL

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  • 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

THE NATIONAL

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  • 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

ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER

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  • 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

FUNNY BONE RICHMOND

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • 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

THe CanAL CLUB

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  • 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
    ​
  • Tuesday, 9/9 – Autohert

EMBER MUSIC HALL

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • 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

LOSO NIGHTCLUB

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

  • Saturday, 6/21 – DJ Matpat
  • Saturday, 7/5 – Evan Baggs
R. Anthony Harris

R. Anthony Harris

In 2005, I created RVA Magazine, and I'm still at the helm as its publisher. From day one, it’s been about pushing the “RVA” identity, celebrating the raw creativity and grit of this city. Along the way, we’ve hosted events, published stacks of issues, and, most importantly, connected with a hell of a lot of remarkable people who make this place what it is. Catch me at @majormajor____

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Topics: Afro-Zen Allstars, Big Fancy RVA, Friday Cheers Richmond, Hotspit alt rock, Kitty Corner emo band, No BS Brass Richmond, Richmond live music, richmond local bands, Say She She band, Strawberry Moon tour

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