Your Guide To Richmond Music Week 2024

Today kicks off the second annual Richmond Music Week, a celebration of Richmond’s thriving music scene brought to you by Richmond music organizations and supporters HearRVA, Ignited, RVA Playlist, Shockoe Records, and The Auricular.

Throughout the week, many of Richmond’s live music venues will feature performances from across different genres and artists from big name acts at larger venues like The National and the Dominion Energy Center to local and regional musicians at places such as The Camel, Black Iris, and Get Tight Lounge. Richmond Music Week will also highlight local record stores, record labels, and recording studios along with pop-up events at various locations around the city. As of this writing, Richmond Music Week is boasting 125 concerts at 47 venues featuring 284 performers. It can be a little intimidating to find your way through all of that, so let us help you out a bit.

Here’s your guide to some of the key events happening over the next ten days. There may be more events to be announced though so make sure to check-in daily at RichmondMusicWeek.com or @richmondmusicweek on Instagram.

Friday, August 2nd

804 Day at 7th Street Farmers Market in Shockoe Bottom, 4 PM

The second annual Richmond Music Week kicks-off with the second annual 804 Day, hosted by Shockoe Records. Three stages of live music will fill the blocks with the diverse sounds of Virginia’s capital. Hip-hop, rock, post-punk, dance pop, Americana, pop punk, garage rock, funk fusion, alt-country, and more will be on full display with a line-up that somehow even surpasses the 2023 stacked line-up. Hip-hop legend Nickelus F serves as the event’s official main event, but the rest of the line-up serves as a who’s who of can’t miss artists: Erin & The Wildfire, Ant The Symbol, Holy River, Los Hermanos Alcranes, Weldon Hill, Rein, Knifing Around, Kadencia, Palmyra, Flight Club, Dead Billionaires, Weekend Plans, Niiasii, and Vexine. All this talent for the low, low price of $0.00. That’s right; admission to 804 Day is free, offering five hours of music at no cost. For those looking for an enhanced experience, a VIP package is available, providing amenities and access to a private stage where The Sugar Hollows and Sweet Potatoes will perform multiple sets. However you choose to participate, make sure to take note of the exceptional talent that Richmond, VA, has to offer.

Clayheads, No Agenda, Brookhouse, BEEFCAKE at The Alley, 7 PM

804 Day isn’t the only highlight of Richmond Music Week on Friday. Over at The Alley in Carytown, an impressive lineup of rock bands will fill the air with electrifying performances. This event marks the final show for local band Clayheads, promising a memorable farewell. Joining them are local acts Brookhouse and BEEFCAKE, along with No Agenda from Norfolk. Tickets are just $10 to see these four incredible bands! The music kicks off at 7 PM and continues well past the end of 804 Day, making it the perfect late-night treat for your ears.

Saturday, August 3rd

Velvet Kove, Sophie Colette, Flora at The Basement, 8 PM

As part of Richmond Music Week, one of the city’s most unique acts will take the stage at The Basement on Saturday. Velvet Kove, a musical and multimedia performer, will present a collection of new anthemic pop songs, each accompanied by an immersive visual display that adds an extra layer of magic to the music. Also on the bill are dreamy singer-songwriter Sophie Colette and jangle-pop troubadour Flora (of Flora & The Fauna), each bringing a distinct sound and vibe to the event. Doors open at 7 PM, and the music starts at 8 PM. Tickets are just $10, so don’t miss this chance to experience three exceptional Richmond acts!

Sunday, August 4th

HearRVA Music Mixer at KavaClub, 1 PM

The third annual HearRVA music mixer, a highlight of Richmond Music Week, will take place on Sunday afternoon at the KavaClub from 1 PM to 4 PM. This free event also serves as a fundraiser for the Newlin Music Prize, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting, encouraging, and recognizing musical talent in Richmond. To raise funds, several raffle prizes from on-hand vendors and local businesses will be available, with tickets priced at $5 each. All proceeds will go toward the Newlin Music Prize’s 2025 fundraising campaign. Attendees can enjoy plenty of music, with special acoustic sets by premier singer-songwriter Tyler Meacham and spiritual folk stylists Tiara & Andrew. Additionally, Ant The Symbol will showcase his DJ talents between the acts, making it the perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon.

Richmond Music Tour, 1 PM

Taking place simultaneously with the Music Mixer is an event with a completely different vibe—a music tour of Richmond’s notable musical landmarks. Organized by The Valentine Museum and Shockoe Records, this tour will cover iconic music stores, beloved venues, and other significant milestones scattered throughout the city. Tickets are $40 for museum members and $50 for non-members. It’s a fantastic opportunity to delve into Richmond’s rich musical history, much of which is still being created today!

Monday, August 5th

Rogue Johnsen Project at Révéler, 8 PM

On Monday, head to Carytown’s emerging music spot, Révéler, for an evening of classic roots and blues with the Rogue Johnsen Project, part of the venue’s Stormy Monday Blues Revue. The band will perform two special sets. The first set will feature a mix of their favorite tunes, showcasing their wide-ranging influences from groove-jazz to hard rock, along with their signature roots and blues sound. The second set will be a mini jam session with musicians from the audience, offering a great opportunity to trade chops with some of the finest musicians in the area. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. Doors open at 7 PM and music starts at 8 PM, so make sure to arrive early to grab a good spot right in front of the stage!

Tuesday, August 6th

Ignited Bands & Baseball at The Diamond, 6:35 PM

For those seeking a musical experience without the intensity of a concert, consider spending an evening at the baseball stadium with some of Richmond’s brightest musicians. On Tuesday, Ignited is hosting its next Bands & Baseball event, organized by local musician Tyler Meacham. This event aims to connect musicians and artists in a relaxed environment, away from the hustle and bustle of a crowded concert venue. There’s no need to shout over a song or wait for a set break to strike up a conversation. Join in on Richmond’s renowned musical camaraderie by attending a Flying Squirrels game on a weeknight. Tickets are just $7 for Ignited members, and you can purchase them by clicking here.

Shockoe Sessions Live with Deau Eyes, 7:30 PM

Shockoe Records’ weekly showcase of Richmond’s vibrant music scene is a key highlight of this year’s Richmond Music Week. This time, the dedicated team at In Your Ear studios will host Deau Eyes, one of the city’s most acclaimed and beloved performers, for a very special performance. Whether in a rock setting, an Americana ensemble, a pop backdrop, or even conducting a string quartet, Deau Eyes has established herself as one of the region’s most versatile musicians. Each performance offers a fresh experience, unlike anything you’ve heard or seen before. Tickets for this intimate, hour-long performance are just $15, and based on past shows, this is one you definitely want to attend.

Wednesday, August 7th

Righter At Plan 9 Music, 7 PM

Taking place early on Wednesday is an in-studio performance by singer-songwriter Righter at Plan 9 Music. The pseudonym of singer-songwriter Hannah Goad, the music of Righter is passionate and piercing, deeply exploring the emotional complexities of relationships and personal struggles. After a long-wait, Righter released her remarkable EP, Bad Art, in 2023, a moving collection of powerful and evocative songs full of poignant confessions that unfold with artistic ease. These songs will come to life on Plan 9’s humble stage for this thirty minute performance that is free for all to attend.

Woman Crush Wednesday at The Camel, 8 PM

Directly after the Plan 9 event, head over to The Camel for their monthly Woman Crush Wednesday showcase, a beloved Richmond institution hosted by the sensational Bri Bevan. You can read more about the event in this recent Style Weekly article, but here’s a quick rundown of the three acts performing this Wednesday.

Flora & The Fauna, one of the city’s rising acts, brings off-the-charts energy to their personable jangle-rock sound. This band always keeps you guessing, with unexpected elements like train horns or extended saxophone solos that elevate their music to new heights. Fredericksburg post-punk outfit Trash Rocket will also perform, proving that Richmond isn’t the only hotspot for rock power in central VA. Their set comes just a week and a half after the release of their latest single, “Makes No Sense,” a punchy and searing garage song that’s a must-add to your new music playlist. Finally, nascent electropunk duo Sweet Touch will headline the event. Comprised of Delilah Truck and Mike Sneed, this project combines punk spirit and electronic ingenuity to create something both familiar and radical. Their charm is subversive, showcasing the ingenuity that only top-notch musicians can pull off. Though the band has only performed a few times, word of mouth about their live prowess is quickly spreading, making their set at The Camel one you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door—an unbelievable value for the talent hitting the stage this night.

Thursday, August 8th

The Richmond Writers Round, 7 PM

Speaking of bang for your buck, $10 the following night will get you into Spacebomb Studios to witness the next Richmond Writers Round, hosted by Ignited. While we could rave about the quality of these quarterly events, this Style Weekly article covers it perfectly. Instead, let’s focus on the impressive lineup of talent.

The upcoming Richmond Writers Round will showcase five exceptionally talented songwriters from the Richmond area: Brent McCoryn, Anna Leonard, Erika Blatnik, Tristan Dougherty, and Jason Holmes. Each of these musicians is known for their versatility–Brent McCoryn contributes his talents to local favorites GEORGE and The Wimps, while Erika Blatnik leads the rock powerhouse Rikki Rakki. Anna Leonard performs in various settings, from full band arrangements to solo acts in intimate environments. Tristan Dougherty and Jason Holmes regularly perform across the region, each bringing a unique flair to their music. For this event, the musicians will take turns performing for the captive audience, sharing personal stories and behind-the-scenes details about their songwriting process and experiences. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some of Richmond’s top talent in a stripped-down, relaxed, and friendly atmosphere so make sure to snag a ticket now before it sells out!

Friday, August 9th and Saturday, August 10th

Richmond Music Week will feature a variety of local shows on these days, but we want to highlight two standout performances with styles that we haven’t really covered yet here. On August 9th, Cobra Cabana will host Haunt, Savage Master, and Battlemaster, offering a powerful evening of hardcore punk and metal. The following night, August 10th, The Camel will feature the Queens Of Country showcase with Mackenzie Roark, Rebecca Porter, and Ramona Martinez. These two events offer a diverse range of styles and sounds, exemplifying Richmond’s vibrant musical scene better than words can do in this article.

Sunday, August 11th

RVA Pop-Out at RVA Boombox

This year’s Richmond Music Week wraps up with a hip-hop showcase curated by renowned local producer Ant The Symbol. Falling on hip-hop’s 51st birthday, this event offers a more intimate follow-up to last year’s Rapper’s Delight performance at The Hippodrome. Held at RVA Boombox, the showcase features an all-star lineup of local hip-hop artists, including Michael Millions, T.R.I.G., Troy, Johnny Ciggs, CJ The Profit, O-Z, Dyfferant, Rah Scrilla, Ty Sorrell, and Logos The Poetic. The Producers Lounge and Charged Up Entertainment’s dedicated CEO, Noah-O, will also be making appearances. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. Doors open at 6 PM, and the music starts at 7 PM. Don’t miss this event, which promises to be a fantastic conclusion to the ten-day local music celebration.

There’s bound to be more to come over the next ten days so make sure to check-in daily at RichmondMusicWeek.com or @richmondmusicweek on Instagram.