Lotta punk on the menu, but I tossed in a jazz album so it’s all okay. We’ve got some really cool touring bands coming into town right now. I’m especially excited to see Tokyo’s finest at Cobra—let’s give ’em a good taste of RVA so they’ll tell their friends. If we keep that up, we’ll have an endless stream of amazing acts from all over the world.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.
Sportsbar, Your Pest Band, The Barbed Wires, Carnivorous Flowers
MONDay, April 21st, 2025
Cobra Cabana
Sports Bar has been bouncing around the scene with releases as far back as 2013. They’re incredibly fun and dancey, with choruses that just rattle around your brain all the way to work. There are poppy elements to them, a little bit of The Strokes, and hell, maybe even a little oi!
All the way from Tokyo is Your Pest Band. I’ve always been fascinated by the Japanese scene that heard The Ramones and turned that influence into some great rocking tunes. They have that sort of ’50s-style progression, but it’s definitely modern. Very much excited for this lot.
Up next are two locals I’ve been lucky enough to share a stage with. The Barbed Wires are a straightforward punk unit full of catchy vocal lines. They put on a great show, and their recordings stand perfectly alongside their live sound.
Carnivorous Flowers had one of my favorite local sets in a dimly lit Banditos room last year. If you dig The Replacements, then you’ll definitely dig this trio.
Doll Baby, Circle Breaker, Fit Check, Future Mantis
Friday, April 18th, 2025
Banditos
Doll Baby is back at it. Their sound is very cinematic and narrative—just the kind you put on when you want to pretend you’re in an indie film. This melodic punk is really easy to get along with and easy to get lost in.
Circle Breaker: Queer motor punk hellfire—what a fitting description. This is right at the junction of metal, punk, and hardcore, a brutal crossroads of slamming elbows and gnashing teeth.
Fit Check is self-described as “approachable hardcore,” but it has all the tenacity of Bad Brains and Upchuck. I’m obsessed with their sheer sneer, snot, and shouting.
Future Mantis is a duo with a full sound, which is no easy feat. They’re pulling from a variety of super cool sources. I hear some Devo, I hear Fontaines DC, I hear a superhero comic.
Fan Club, Ultra Bleach, Dream World, Gleex
MONDay, April 21st, 2025
Banditos
Fan Club is the talk—explosive, dynamite, fire. Pure garage mayhem in your face and in style. Bark, bite, bounce, fight. Fan Club.
I’ve written about Ultra Bleach before. If you haven’t seen ‘em, you’re wasting your nights not being tossed around by Ultra Bleach. Can’t find too much on Dream World, but with this bill, you know they have to be good.
I recently wrote about Gleex’s first single, and I cannot wait for their first show. That single has been on repeat in this household—NONSTOP.
Main photo of Fan Club by Mungo @wmmd._
NEW TUNES
‘Space is the Place to Bury Billionaires’ by Curriculum
This is one of the most unique things that’s been slid across my desk. It’s a sci-fi punk album all about the collapse of it all. Sonically, it leaves nothing to be desired. The vocals are powerful, the guitars know what they’re doing, and the rhythm section drives it forward at Mach 5. It’s currently up on Bandcamp, and if you buy it there, all the proceeds are going to Gaza Soup Kitchen. So, maybe go get the download!
‘Conceptions’ by Geoffrey Dean
This jazz album is nothing but sincere and sweet. It’s the person who runs up and shares your umbrella during an endless drizzle. The instruments are all intelligent and true, with the drums playing a particularly interesting part in my listening. Geoffrey Dean hit this one out of the park.
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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!
THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Thursday, 4/17 The Dip: Love Direction Tour Part II Presented by WNRN
Friday, 4/25 Panic Stricken
Saturday, 4/26 Giovannie and the Hired Guns
Wednesday, 4/30 George Clanton
THE CAMEL
BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Wednesday, 4/16: The Ivy, Lyncs, Sweet Touch
Wednesday, 4/23: Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers
Wednesday, 4/30: Bria Salmena
THE NATIONAL
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Wednesday, 4/16: Damien Escobar
Thursday, 4/17: Valerie June
Friday, 4/18: Chiodos with Hawthorne Heights, Emmure, and The Callous Daoboys
Monday, 4/21: Magdalena Bay with Sam Austins
Thursday, 4/24: Paul Reiser
Saturday, 4/26: Wild Rivers
ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER
Wednesday, 8/6: Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder – The Brotherhood of Rock Tour BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Saturday, 8/23: Bailey Zimmerman: New To Country Summer Tour BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Friday, 8/29: Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Monday, 9/22: “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
Tuesday, 10/21: Tedeschi Trucks Band with Very Special Guest Little Feat: Live in 25 BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
FUNNY BONE RICHMOND
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Wednesday, April 16: Gareth Reynolds
Wednesday, April 23: Christopher Titus
Friday, April 25 – Sunday, April 27: DL Hughley
THe CanAL CLUB
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Wednesday, 4/16: Traitors with Crown Magnetar and Yosemite in Black
Wednesday, 4/23: Capstan with Colorblind, True North, and Not Enough Space
Tuesday, 4/29: Magnolia Park with Hot Milk, Savage Hands, and South Arcade
EMBER MUSIC HALL
Saturday, 4/19: Maddy O’Neal: Spring 2025 Tour
Thursday, 4/17: BoomBox
Wednesday, 4/30: The Bloody Beetroots 20th Anniversary Tour
LOSO NIGHTCLUB
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REVELER IN CARYTOWN
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DOMINION ENERGY CENTER
Friday, 4/19, Saturday, 4/20 & Sunday, 4/21 CHURCHILL starring David Payne
ALTRIA THEATRE
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Tuesday, 4/22: Bonnie Raitt: Live 2025 at 7:30 PM
Friday, 4/25: Nikki Glaser Alive and Unwell Tour at 7:00 PM
