This Monday marks the fifth annual Daydream Fest, the yearly local music celebration at Main Line Brewery that serves as a reminder that Richmond is at its best when it stops worrying about genres, scenes, or arbitrary boundaries and simply throws all of the city’s great artists into the same giant party. Over the years, Baripete Productions has transformed the festival into one of Richmond’s most reliable traditions: an all-day marathon featuring salsa legends, rappers, indie rockers, jazz masters, funk bands, classical musicians, and DJs.

To help set the mood, we’ve put together a playlist featuring not only artists from this year’s lineup, but also recommendations from newsletter subscribers who entered our ticket giveaway earlier this week. Missed your shot at that one? Luckily, we’re giving away another pair of tickets right now over on our Instagram page.

Before you head over there, though, make sure to dive into our full overview of this year’s lineup, complete with songs, videos, and albums from every artist performing so you can show up on Memorial Day fully prepared for the musical joy that awaits.

Daydream Fest 2026

Weekend Plans

Eclectic groove artisans in motion

Videos To Watch:
“Laundry” and “Dance With Me“

Key Songs:
“Try Me,” “BLE,” and “Leaves“

Album You Need To Listen To:
After Hours

Mighty Joshua

Spiritually charged roots reggae master

Videos To Watch:
“Ital Way” and “Clean Hands“

Key Songs:
“Sometimes,” “Rastafari Reign,” and “Iron Sharpen Iron“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Dreaducation

Bio Ritmo

Indie salsa dura trailblazers

Video To Watch:
NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Key Songs:
“Oriza,” “Orgullo,” and “Piragüero“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Puerta del Sur

Erin & The Wildfire

Indie-pop rooted in infectious soul

Videos To Watch:
“Little Me” and “Rising“

Key Songs:
“Lightning So Blue,” “Wake Up,” and “Sway“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Touchy Feely

Radio B

Richmond rap’s sage guardian

Videos To Watch:
“Stop Looking For Noise” and “LEGEND“

Key Songs:
“Desensitized,” “Zuckerburger,” and “Somebody Call These Dogs“

Album You Need To Listen To:
The Internet Is Fake

HOTPANTS

Southern sass with melodic crass

Videos To Watch:
“Take My Money” and “Ghost Of Rock And Roll“

Key Songs:
“Killin’ Time, “Rich Man,” and “Little Pills“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Ghost Of Rock And Roll

Ant The Symbol

Limitless sonic architect

Videos To Watch:
“Pride Like A Pendant” and “Sometimes“

Key Songs:
“Letters From Nirvana,” “Something,” and “Castles In The Air“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Y’all Good

Dan & The Fam

Psych-groove merchants of chaos

Videos To Watch:
“OHSO” & “Music Is Freedom“

Key Songs:
“Lapse,” “SWAMPDADDY,” and “Stratus“

Album You Need To Listen To:
Live At The Broadberry

Charles Owens Trio

Spectacular jazz firestorm

Videos To Watch:
“The Joy Of Letting Go” and “Heartbreaks + Setbacks“

Key Songs:
“Cameron The Wise,” “Tomorrow Never Knows,” and “The Rainbow Connection“

Album You Need To Listen To:
10 Years

But Wait… There’s More!

In addition to the performers above, there will also be mixes from Billy Crystal Fingers, Nickelus F, and DJ Duffy filling the air. And on top of that, the whole event kicks off with cellists from the Richmond Philharmonic!

So don’t miss out on all the fun happening this Monday over at Daydream Fest. Between sets, food runs, and conversations with old friends you somehow only ever see at music festivals, make sure to stop by The Auricular’s booth and chat with us a bit about Richmond music. There’s really no better way to kick off the summer than spending a full day surrounded by great artists, great people, and the kind of community that makes this city special.