Tomorrow, Richmond bands, local comedians, and several DJs will come together to help WRIR celebrate their 13th Anniversary downtown.
The all-volunteer independent radio station has pulled out all the stops for their throw down again this year and recruited a wide variety of local bands and musicians for one killer lineup. There will be live performances from SLEEPWALKERS, FACESHIP, Secret Bonus Level, Piranha Rama, Angelina Garcia + Kenneka Cook, Zgomot, as well as an RVA Comedy Showcase from Sweetheart Comedy, along with The Sauerkrauts, and Gumming. WRIR DJs Stunted Development and Maya, host of Tuesday’s Breakfast Blend, will also be there to help keep the party going.
Shannon Cleary, Music Director at WRIR as well as booking agent at Flora, and bassist in Clair Morgan was excited to have a well-rounded bill of artists and bands who represent the city play the event.
“Each year always proves to be an exciting opportunity to showcase the diversity of the Richmond music community,” he said. “Sleepwalkers have done nothing but take the Richmond music brand to new levels and elevate the profile of this community. I know that members of the group have had a long-standing relationship with the station and it’s great to see that type of history play out as we reflect on the thirteen years that WRIR has been around.”
Brothers Austin and Michael York blew up when they released their debut album, Greenwood Shade, in 2014 and it will be a nice homecoming for the group, who RVA Mag last spoke with last year when they dropped a fun new track ahead of their second full-length album.
Cleary mentioned other local acts that are sure to offer something for everyone no matter what their musical taste.
“I’m excited about the idea of having freestyle hip hop from Secret Bonus Level, one of our WRIR late-night programs, a dual set from Kenneka Cook and Angelica Garcia as well as a comedy showcase all in the same room,” he said. “And a German Oom-Pah band. Where else can you see all of this and more?”
Cook, a local soul/jazz powerhouse songwriter will drop her debut album Moonchild Feb. 16 so hopefully, we’ll get to hear some tunes off of that album at the show. And bluesy/folk songstress Angelica Garcia, who moved to Richmond in 2016 and graced RVA Mag with an interview after landing a deal with Warner Bros. and releasing her whimsical, yet haunting album Medicine For Birds will be a must-see as well.
The event is WRIR’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds raised from the bash go back toward helping the station produce music and fund programming. A $15 donation gets you in the door and a raffle ticket. You can snag your tickets here.
The 13th Anniversary Party kicks off this Fri., Feb. 2 at 7 pm inside The Renaissance Ballroom located at 107 W. Broad St.
