Chicago freak rockers Moonrises channel their inner-International Artists catalog and project it out to Steady Sounds on Tuesday, May 7. Featuring Steve Krakow of Plastic Crimewave Sound and Galactic Zoo Dossier.
Opening will be Richmond’s own Caves Caverns and pre-vibrations provided by Revolt Of The Apes.
Chicago blues street musician Little Howlin’ Wolf will be coming to Richmond for two nights. There will be double the chance of seeing this incredible Blues artist.
Monday June 11 at The Nile with Bermuda Triangles, Nervous Ticks and Wild Child
Tuesday June 12 at Strange Matter with Mutwawa, Caves Caverns and Vimanum
Little Howlin’ Wolf – Big Ole Bear
I’m sure by now, you’ve been bombarded by information on this weekend’s big music festival – the RVA Music Fest. It’s safe to say that Shockoe Bottom is going to be insanely crowded and lots of good music will be heard.
The festival has been in the works for quite some time and if successful, could lead to an annual event of showing off some of the best music Richmond has to offer.
Just look at everything included in the two-day festival.
RVA Music Fest Showcases – Saturday, Sept. 10
The Main Event – Sunday, Sept. 11
The After Party – Sunday, Sept. 11
Now, as awesome as this event is, all the acts playing are seriously focused on one particular scene. It’s completely catering to the indie rock and underground crowds – which is the typical crowd who reads RVA Magazine (the event’s sponsor). Don’t get me wrong, all the local bands participating are incredible and there is some amazing talent taking the stage, but Richmond’s folk, jazz and pop rock scenes are completely ignored. I wouldn’t get so worked up if the festival wasn’t touted as “The music festival of Richmond” and “showing off the best of local music” because it’s not. It’s only one small part of an even more amazing bigger scene.
And I’m surprised that Richmond’s two biggest music venues – The National and the Canal Club – are not included in the showcase evening (maybe because they are not advertisers in RVA Magazine, but I could be wrong on this). While they’re not on the official RVA Music Fest bill, The National and Canal Club are also hosting local acts the same evening.
Hopefully if this festival becomes a yearly event, groups in other genres can be included in the lineup which would create a more diverse selection of artists and by doing so, bring in a lot more people.
In any case, the RVA Music Fest will be the place to be this weekend. Go and enjoy live local music.
Photo: Jens Kofoed-Pihl
In less than a week, three of RVA’s music venues have been shut down.
Earlier this week, Grandpa Eddie’s closed its doors suddenly and without warning. Grandpa Eddie’s hosted many country, bluegrass and cover bands and was a nice spot to see live music in the West End – which are hard to come by out in the suburbs.
On top of that, local underground venue The Hospital had its location revealed to the public and was allegedly raided by police/CAPS. The Hospital’s actual location was never given since they were trying to stay under the radar. I just now found out where it was and after reading what a great venue it was, it’s a shame to see it possibly get shut down like that. It seemed like a good place for hardcore and punk bands to play.
The final blow this week was Thursday evening, Sprout the localvore restaurant, which was also an awesome space to see bands, announced they would be closing on Monday, Sept. 5. This one hurts because not only do they serve amazing food, but it was also a great place to see free shows and check out up and coming local and touring bands. nd it was always crowded which makes me wonder how the venue was even struggling financially. Sprout never catered to one genre either. They’ve hosted folk and bluegrass shows as well as metal, shoegaze and rock shows as well. Everyone seemed to have a place there.
In one of the quickest show announcements I’ve ever seen, Sprout will be hosting farewell show on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. featuring Ben Shepherd, Allison Apperson, Canary Oh Canary, Shannon Cleary, Flesh Control, Tate House (members of Caves Caverns), Baby Help Me Forget, Josh Bearman (of the Hot Seats), White Laces, The Snowy Owls, The Nervous Ticks and more TBA.
I’m sad to see these venues go. After the loss of the Triple, Plaza Bowl and Alley Katz (Its replacement Kingdom has yet to announce any kind of opening) in the past few months, it doesn’t look like Richmond is doing too well at keeping good venues around. I mentioned this a while back in one of my River City Rapids columns. Richmond needs its music venues. Where else can smaller acts get their name out so they can eventually become big? At the rate we’re going, we’ll have no places left to catch good live music.
RVA Playlist showcases different local and national bands playing in town, CD and show reviews in Richmond, Va.
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