RVA Shows You Must See This Week: April 22 – April 28
FEATURED SHOW
Sunday, April 26, 3 PM
Rock & Roll Piano Recital, feat. Erin Lunsford, Jake Cochran, Eric Sites, Bella Salunga, Mackenzie Roark & Billy Bacci @ Reveler Experiences – $15 (order tickets HERE)
I gotta hand it to Reveler, and I know I say this all the time, but every column is someone’s first and anyway it bears repeating: this small, intimate club in Carytown with a ton of atmosphere and some delicious charcuterie boards on the menu just keep bringing all sorts of amazing stuff to the local live music scene that just wasn’t happening on any kind of regular basis in this town before they came along. From amazing jazz shows to all the international artists playing music from around the world right here in Richmond to the amazing and always unexpected combos of local musicians brought together onto one stage, this place stays interesting and unpredictable. I only send you there but so often — because let’s face it, they’re never gonna book punk or metal groups, and I love all that shit — but you can be sure that pretty much any night of the week you find your way into the place, you’re gonna hear some amazing sounds that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the city.
This Sunday matinee show is a great example of the most creative and intriguing shows that Reveler manages to bring to us. I’ve never seen anything like this before, and I’m really excited about the possibilities it presents. Here’s the format: five different songwriters (well, four solo songwriters and a songwriting duo) from Virginia-based groups will gather on a Sunday afternoon at Reveler to sit down at the piano and play us stripped-down versions of their full-band songs on a piano. A lot of songwriters work with piano as a composition tool, even if the songs they write eventually don’t feature piano at all (extreme example: multiple Minor Threat songs were written on Ian MacKaye’s piano). This afternoon performance will find the songwriters on this bill returning to the piano, demonstrating to all comers what some of their well-known full-band songs sounded like back when they were first composed, in their simplest and most stripped-down form.
There are some amazing folks on this bill too. Erin Lunsford, who is brilliant both as a solo indie-folk musician and the leader of the bouncy power-pop group Erin & The Wildfire, will give us a taste of songs from one, the other, or ideally both of her projects in their earliest form. Jake Cochran of Illiterate Light, who are known for upbeat guitar-driven alternative rock, will show us what his songs can sound like in a wildly different form with no distorted — or even undistorted — guitars anywhere around. Madly Backwards leader Eric Sites is going to show off the lushly gorgeous indie rock tunes his band cranks out with all the layers stripped away — and no doubt prove that the melodies are baked right into the very bones of the songs. Beya leader Bella Salunga will replace her usual acoustic guitar twangs with piano plinks, in what might be the transformation on this bill that I have the hardest time envisioning. But hey, that’s only going to make it more memorable, right? Finally, Mackenzie Roark and Billy Bacci of psychedelic alt-country crew Hotpants will team up in some undisclosed manner to bring us raw versions of normally well-done Hotpants tunes. It all adds up to a fascinating display of the songwriting process, and the unpredictable things that can happen when you take a truly creative approach to playing music and booking shows.
Wednesday, April 22, 6 PM
Nellie McKay @ Reveler Experiences – $35 (order tickets HERE)
I’ve known about Nellie McKay since her debut album came out over 20 years ago. At a time when the memory of Norah Jones’ bajillion-selling debut, Come Away With Me, was extremely fresh, for a new young jazz-pop singer to release a debut called Get Away From Me was a saucy move that no one could miss the point of. The contrast that the brassy, quirky singer immediately set between herself and the smooth pablum of Norah Jones was unmistakable, and once you noticed it, you could help but notice how brilliant her work really was. Honestly, it wasn’t all that comparable with anyone. McKay has carried on in that creative, constantly evolving spirit, shifting moods from album to album and dipping into all sorts of creative corners. Her latest album of new material, 2023’s Hey Guys, Watch This (she’s never lost her knack for names), finds her exploring a countrified, soulful sound that coats the listener’s ear like warm honey.
Since Hey Guys, Watch This was released, a compilation of pre-Get Away From Me demos called Gee Whiz has also been released. It shows off the raw talent that first got McKay noticed; her knack for classic Tin Pan Alley jazz composition and distinctive, eclectic vocal approach were present from the first moment of her career. It still shines through today as well, and getting to hear a world-class talent like Nellie McKay in the intimate confines of Reveler Experiences is a rare opportunity that you definitely shouldn’t pass up. It’s an early show, and McKay won’t be on stage long, so hustle over there as soon as you get off work, because you don’t want to miss a minute of this unique performance.
Thursday, April 23, 7:30 PM
Heavy Friends, Shagwuf, Painted World @ Get Tight Lounge – $15 (order tickets HERE)
When I hear the name Heavy Friends, my mind casts back to an album with a decidedly checkered reputation: Lord Sutch And Heavy Friends, the 1970 solo debut album by British rock wildman Screaming Lord Sutch, and featuring people like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, John Bonham, Noel Redding, and quite a few more. Sounds awesome, right? You’d think, but other than garage rock weirdos, people tend to think this record is bad. Personally, I am a total garage rock weirdo, and therefore expect to like it whenever I finally hear it. I also think being a garage rock weirdo puts me in a good place to appreciate the modern Richmond band Heavy Friends, which features former FLKL members Alex Harris and Brittany Horkan (the latter of whom is also now in Shagwuf — more about them in a minute). They definitely have the right vibe to carry that name forward into the 21st century.
This show finds Heavy Friends celebrating the release of their debut single, which I have been lucky enough to hear in advance. It’s got a raunchy guitar crunch and rollicking rock n’ roll stomp to it, simultaneously reminding me of Jack White’s loudest, hardest-rocking solo records and a throwback to something awesome from the early 70s pre-punk scene that birthed heavy metal — think Sir Lord Baltimore, Bang, or the MC5 if those other references are too obscure. These folks are here to rock hard and make their presence known on the Richmond scene, and based on the hard-hitting sound of their debut single, I feel sure they’ll make a strong impression on all who attend this release celebration at Get Tight Lounge. Of course, this bill will hit twice as hard thanks to the presence on it of Shagwuf, who always bring a ton of high-voltage rock power to the stage, along with a fun-loving freak vibe that carries some of the best energy of any band active in Virginia today. Painted World, led by Knifing Around’s David Long in a more introspective sort of mood, will open the evening with an appropriately delightful set of tunes. Get stoked for this one — even if you don’t like that old Lord Sutch record.
Friday, April 24, 8 PM
Aurelio Voltaire, Mr. Fang and the Dark Tones @ Fallout – $27 in advance, $30 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Pretty big treat for a Friday night at the goth club to find Aurelio Voltaire rolling through town. This legendary and incredibly memorable performer has had a long-running career making music that’s tough to classify and tends to shift into all sorts of different forms from one album to another. But what keeps Aurelio Voltaire fascinating and fun is the way he always approaches his music with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, adding lyrics about horror movie monsters and spooky cartoons to fantastical cabaret tunes that stand somewhere in the vague realm of Oingo Boingo, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Gogol Bordello, and The Cramps. It’s impossible to pin down this guy’s sound, but that’s OK — every track is memorable, whether that’s because it’s called “Zombie Prostitute” or “I Laugh In The Face Of Death,” or because it has a catchy mariachi or klezmer-type melody that you can’t get out of your head.
In addition to his memorable music, Aurelio Voltaire also has a reputation as an engaging and delightful live performer, so you will definitely have a blast seeing him at Fallout this Friday night. If there’s any venue in this city that has Mr. Voltaire’s vibe, it’s Fallout, so you can rest assured he’ll be in the best possible environment to delight and captivate all comers. The evening will be even more delightful with the addition of Virginia’s own Mr. Fang and the Dark Tones to enchant us all with their spooky twist on Link Wray, Duane Eddy, The Cramps, and maybe a bit of The Gun Club, for a darkly rollicking trip through drive-in B movie retro nirvana. This show will be a great way to end the week and send you reeling into the wee hours of Saturday morning with a big grin on your face (and perhaps a small trickle of blood dripping down the side of your neck… stay safe out there, kids).
Saturday, April 25, 7 PM
B00B, Circle Breaker, Dollseye, Madison Turner @ Starr Hill Brewery – Free!
What a time to be alive, huh? Back in 1997 when I was terrified of ever even thinking about coming out of the closet, there’s no way I’d ever have been able to conceive of a show consisting entirely of trans-fronted punk and hardcore bands that I could go see for free on a Saturday night. And less than three decades later, here we are — and I’m still young enough to enjoy it. If you’re reading this, so are you, so let’s all get our sleeveless jean jackets and boots on and head over to Starr Hill this Saturday night for a rockin’ queer/trans hardcore show. The stars of this fine evening are Philadelphia’s B00B, who feature members of underrated 2010s hardcore band Night Witch and play raging sped up hardcore punk with a sassy flair that simultaneously sends up and straightforwardly celebrates modern queer punk culture. It’s a fucking vibe and I’m stoked to see it happen right in front of me.
There are three excellent local groups on this bill as well. Circle Breaker are the best known in heavier circles, and it’s for good reason: this trio’s harsh, downtuned take on sludge-crust biker-metal punk is a total sensory overload that’ll blow you right out of your boots if you’re not careful. If these folks don’t manage to get a pit started, I’ll wonder if the room has been secretly spiked with sleeping gas. As for Madison Turner, this long-running local punk rock singer-songwriter with a background in ska, folk, and alternative rock returned to action in 2025 with her first new release in seven years, the incredible Curtsy When You Land. This LP is full of wry emotional tunes about struggling to figure out your place in the world and how to move forward in life even when it feels like everything is conspiring to hold you back. And it’s full of singalong melodic punk anthems with more than the occasional ska part. Expect plenty more of that when Madison takes the stage at Starr Hill Saturday night. Dollseye, a local trio of trans women playing some form of rock music, have previously played a couple of songs at an open mic, but this will be their first full live set — so we’ll all find out what they sound like together. It’s sure to be a delight, though, so come rock out with the dolls in Scott’s Addition! You won’t regret it.
Sunday, April 26, 6 PM
Fit Check, Rust, Power Play, Chained, Ten Toes Down @ Bandito’s – $18.35 (order tickets HERE)
This five-band hardcore bill wrapping up the weekend at Bandito’s this Sunday night is billed as a “VKV Hardcore Showcase,” and I wasn’t sure what that meant at first. VKV turns out to be a show booking operation that is based in North Carolina but sets up a fair amount of shows in Richmond as well, so it’s no surprise that this showcase is happening here in town. In addition to throwing the spotlight on Fit Check, one of the most prominent and promising new hardcore bands this city’s got right now, it’s also bringing a few touring bands from all over North America to gather here in Richmond and rock the roof off the Diablo Room. Gotta love that. Fit Check will of course be the local draw — it only takes one listen to their excellent self-titled EP to know these folks have got talent, fury, and energy in more than sufficient quantity to get this whole place fired up. But the other bands on this bill will be every bit as delightful, so you’re really going to want to catch this entire show from beginning to end.
VKV Booking has connections with North Carolina band Chained, who are on this bill — specifically the man behind VKV plays bass in Chained — and have a powerful, hard-hitting sound that’s definitely hardcore but is also very, very heavy. Think Harms Way (RIP Bo) or maybe Shattered Realm. I would imagine if Fit Check gets a circle pit going, this band will see more than its fair share of crowd-kills. If you’re like me, you’ll step back and let the big guys strut their stuff… but if you’re the sort who has stuff to strut, this will definitely be a prime opportunity. Power Play claims to be from “Vice City” (it took some digging to figure out they meant Miami, though I understood in hindsight) and plays upbeat, hard-hitting hardcore that should be thrilling for fans of Comeback Kid or Throwdown. The third of the trio of touring acts on this bill is Rust, who come all the way from Ontario with some rough and bruising hardcore grooves that pack intensity and energy, as well as some pretty brutal breakdowns. The show will get started with a set from Lynchburg’s Ten Toes Down, who have a metallic crunch and a classic tough-guy approach marked by guttural vocals and floorpunch-ready midtempo grooves. This will definitely be a fine evening for fans of all different flavors of modern hardcore music. Show up and grab yourself a plate from the smorgasbord. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Monday, April 27, 7 PM
Adam Hopkins’ School Work @ Reveler Experiences – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Monday night is always a good night to catch up on the folks involved with Out Of Your Head Records — the main purveyor of avant-garde jazz here in Richmond’s music scene. From their Second Mondays nights at Artspace to the occasional show downtown, they’ll definitely brighten up the first night of your work week if you let them. This time around sees them taking a slightly different approach, but one that should be thrilling to all fans of jazz in this city, especially those who pay close attention to what the city’s biggest talents have going on.
Adam Hopkins’ School Work is a project of indeterminate size that bassist Hopkins pulls together from time to time to explore the work of the avant-garde jazz greats of the mid-2oth century: Ornette Coleman, Albert Ayler, Charles Mingus, Eric Dolphy… people like that. This time around, in addition to his Out Of Your Heads co-owner Scott Clark on drums, he’s brought in such standout local jazz talents as saxophonists JC Kuhl and John Lilley, trumpeter Bob Miller, and vocalist Laura Ann Singh. This sextet is sure to find some wild new grooves and break new ground in their explorations of hard bop, free jazz, and the avant-garde sounds of the civil rights era. Come down to Reveler and get into it — you’re sure to expand your mind in the company of these world-class talents.
Tuesday, April 28, 7 PM
Haunt Me, Velvet Ruin @ The Canal Club – $20 in advance, $25 day of show (order tickets HERE)
This Tuesday night is the time for the Fallout set to invade the Canal Club, as Texas duo Haunt Me come to town to enrapture us all. Their dark, spooky musical mood is enrapturing in a classic goth sense — evoking bands like Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, and even Type O Negative at various points. All of those groups have at various times cast an equally dark and foreboding cloud over their listeners, and Haunt Me does the same thing on their 2025 second LP Watch You Bleed, on which they shift between a variety of vaguely retro musical modes. All of said modes are dark, spooky, and haunted, though more in the sense of “You’re at the club after hours and there are vampires on the dance floor” instead of “trying in vain to spend the night in the most notorious haunted house in the county.”
Haunt Me will cast a chilling glow on the Canal Club with their performance on Tuesday night, and while we’re a long way from Halloween, it’s never a bad time to thrill to a little bit of a dark and chilly mood. No matter how warm and sunny the day is, the night always hides secrets, lurking in the darkness. And maybe, just maybe, they’re dancing. You’ll certainly dance to the sounds of local opener Velvet Ruin, who’ll get the evening started with the sounds of classic mid-80s LA deathrock, updated for the 21st century with the help of a really talented and powerful lead vocalist. Show up on time to catch our local gothic heroes, and then stick around to dance all night while wearing dark sunglasses to Haunt Me. The vibes are guaranteed to be immaculate.
Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): rvamustseeshows@gmail.com
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