No matter the tastes of music lovers in this city, there is something for everyone this week. An overwhelming amount of pop music will be passing through (and additionally is on my mind as I will talk about later), so I’ll be bringing you the information on my favorite pop acts and music that are in town this this week culminating in Nashville group Wild Love playing at Get Tight Lounge this Thursday. If you’d like to catch one last festival of the season, then scroll down to see some info on the 2nd Street Festival as it takes over Jackson Ward this weekend for two full days of tunes. Not to mention there’s a tribute to a prominent and recently deceased folk artist, as well as some new post-hardcore tunes by a local group. We’ve got everything for you right here on this week’s SOUND CHECK.
If you have suggestions, questions, comments, or want to share your new tunes, reach out to Bones@rvamag.com
Out Of town Acts To See
WILD LOVE
Thursday 10/5 @ Get Tight Lounge
Doors: 7:30 pm
If you make it to one show this week, it should absolutely be this stacked concert at Get Tight Lounge. There will only be so many opportunities to catch a show outside before the weather takes a turn for the worst and we’re driven in doors until the Spring, and this concert at Get Tight this Thursday is full of high energy pop artists that it almost can’t contain the caliber of the performances that will take the stage that night. Opening with local favorite Tyler Meacham who I have not seen around the city very much these days, but I am absolutely ecstatic to catch her on stage once again. Capping off the night is another local pop icon Zach Benson who has been pumping out electronic influenced catchy beats since 2017 and shows no signs of stopping. His cocky but relatable persona combined with his outwardly queer lifestyle speak for a generation and he is a must see. Though the night is packed with great music, Wild Love is who I’m excited about as the band is based out of Nashville and only makes it into Richmond about once a year. This veteran pop ensemble is never short of catchy hooks and guitar melodies, but their ace up their sleeve is Brandon Gorman, the band’s lead singer. Hailing from Ireland Gorman has a distinct and heavy Irish accent that peaks through into the music coloring their tunes and giving them a distinct flavor. Come out to Get Tight Lounge this Thursday, as you might just find your new favorite band.
Local & Regional Acts to See
3RD ANNUAL JOHN PRINE MEMORIAL
Saturday 10/7 @ The Camel
Doors: 7:00 pm
If you’re looking for one show this week to catch some local acts, then look no further. This Saturday at The Camel seven different local bands will be paying tribute to the recently passed folk artist John Prine for a night of your locals favorites in a way you may not be accustomed to. Prine who passed in 2020 was a staple of American Folk music for almost 50 years, and those in the city who felt influenced by him or just want to pay tribute are coming out to put on the best show they can in memory of a folk legend. People are coming in from all corners of the scene for this night, starting with local folk artists Mackenzie Roark and Caroline Vain, all the way to art-punk group Strawberry Moon and indie/alt rock collectives Rikki Rakki and Gnawing (both of whom the poster claims will be “unplugged”). It’s going to be an interesting night full of your favorite bands in ways you’ve never heard them before.
2ND STREET FESTIVAL
Saturday 10/7 – Sunday 10/8 @ Jackson Ward
Doors: 11:00 am
Down in Jackson Ward this weekend there will be a huge celebration of art and culture of every kind, but especially some fantastic music. There are far too many artists to try to talk about all of them, but by all means check out the website for the festival, and see below for a schedule of amazing artists all afternoon long for two days in a row. Once you’ve had your fill of the music, stroll around the grounds for dozens of local craft vendors, food stall and various side attractions at this one of a kind FREE festival celebrating all the best that Richmond, Virginia has to offer.
Saturday 10/7
WAVERLY R. CRAWLEY MAIN STAGE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
11:30 – 12:30pm Aubrey Smalls Quartet
1:00 – 2:00pm DJ Drake and MC Choco
2:30 – 3:30pm Rodney “The Soul Singer ” Stith
4:00 – 5:10pm J Baxter & the S.A.U.C.E.
5:45 – 7:00pm AVERAGE WHITE BAND
JOE KENNEDY JR. JAZZ STAGE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
12:00 – 1:15pm COUNTERPOINT featuring Wayne “Big Patt” Patterson
1:45 – 2:45pm Debra Dean and the Key West Ensemble
3:15 – 4:15pm Jason Jenkins Group
4:45 – 6:00pm The Marvin Taylor Experience
EGGLESTON HOTEL COMMUNITY STAGE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7
11:35 – 12:00pm Welcome – Historic Jackson Ward Association- Janis Allen Lift Every Voice and Sing – Milani Hopkins Renaissance Roll Call – Gary Flowers
12:20 – 12:50pm Sports Backer’s Fitness Warriors
1:20 – 2:20pm Blendmasters Own DJ Hammer
2:50 – 3:50pm The Line Dance Prince – Carlos Vieira
4:10 – 4:30pm Richmond Urban Dance
Sunday 10/8
WAVERLY R. CRAWLEY MAIN STAGE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
1:00 – 1:30pm Michelle Lightfoot & Friends
2:00 – 2:30pm Virginia Union University Choir
3:00 – 4:00pm Legacy Band
4:45 – 6:00pm I Would Die 4 U; A Musical Tribute to PRINCE
JOE KENNEDY JR. JAZZ STAGE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
1:00 – 2:10pm Drummer, Billy Williams, Jr.
2:45 – 4:00pm Carl Lester-El Quartet featuring Corey El
4:45 – 6:00pm Nathan Mitchell
EGGLESTON HOTEL COMMUNITY STAGE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8
1:10 – 1:40pm Village of Faith Ministry
2:05 – 2:35pm Carlehr Swanson
3:00 –3:30pm Happiness Dance Studio performing Tap Dance
4:00 – 5:00pm The Johnny Lee Long Band
Local & Regional Releases
DESERT BEAGLES
“Repeating Cycle” (Single)
This group has been releasing music for the better part of this year, and I somehow have managed to miss it, so here I am bringing to light the new track by Desert Beagles called “Repeating Cycle.” In actuality this single functions as an A side and a B side with the latter being occupied by a track entitled “Limbo.” The music reads to me as post-hardcore with a soft heart as the underlying instrumental track lays down a heavy bed for the vocals and harmonies to glide over with flat yet emotive cries at first, and then giving way to a double tracking of harsh screamed vocals that lend the music an air of pleasant demonic possession. Though much in the same vein of the other music that they have released this year, “Repeating Cycles” is only the third release by this burgeoning ensemble, so who knows where they go from here.
What I’m listening to
CHAPPELL ROAN
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
I can not stop listening to the debut album by rising pop princess Chappell Roan. Though the album only came out a few weeks ago in mid-September, Roan has been releasing singles from this record since 2020 when she released the single “California” — a move that either demonstrates extreme foresight or a complete lack of it. Regardless, the record screams with the kind of intention and care that is so rarely exhibited in pop records on larger scales. The freedom of comparative obscurity (and to be clear, Roan has just passed 1,000,000 monthly listeners on Spotify since the drop of her record) in contrast to the likes of an Olivia Rodrigo type affords the independent pop artist to take risks that a major label and big budget producers would hardly allow. Though with few exceptions she does not stray from the topics of sex, sexuality and the fallout of romantic relationships — three topics of which the lyrics and suggestive language are rarely subtle or elegant as they ooze out of every pore — Roan somehow manages to take these age old ideas and turn them into a series of queer anthems that possess an unprecedented musicality. The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is a record of the time that will last, and rises above the cliches and catchy hooks to become something more in a way that I have not felt in a pop record, main stream or “indie”, since Harry’s House by superstar Harry Styles. If you even are vaguely interested in the pop antics of a heal clad beauty queen, then this record is more than worth your time.
My favorite tracks from The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
- “Red Wine Supernova”
- “HOT TO GO!”
- “Pink Pony Club”
Top photo by @waterrlilly17
