Richmond is a famous city for many reasons: it’s the capital of Virginia and is well-known for its outdoor adventures at the James River, farm-to-table restaurants, and rich history. But an integral, yet often overlooked, component of Richmond’s culture is its vibrant music scene. Home to multiple venues, hundreds of local artists, and genres for every listener, RVA’s music scene is one to get excited about. Here are the top five reasons why:
1. The venues:
Richmond is home to over 20 music venues where people can go to enjoy artists from all over the world, of any popularity or genre. Large-scale, national touring acts such as The Neighborhood, MGMT, or the Foo Fighters can often be found playing at The National on Broad Street. But if more low-key artists with smaller audiences are your thing, don’t worry: The Broadberry and The Canal Club has you covered. No matter what your concert preferences are, Richmond has a venue for you.
2. The local talent:
While Richmond is a frequent pit stop for nationally successful musicians, what makes up even more of the music scene are all of the local artists. Songwriters, musicians, and vocalists alike are getting their start by creating and sharing their music all throughout the city- whether they perform at small, intimate venues such as Strange Matter, or in a basement at a house show. For any genre you might be interested in, there’s a local artist that is bound to get stuck in your head. Check out some smaller venues’ schedules or online music-sharing platforms like Soundcloud, and you just might find a new favorite artist that lives right here in Richmond.
3. There's a genre for everybody:
Cities that are known for their music scenes are also often known for specific genres. Nashville is known for its country and bluegrass, Portland is a major hub for indie-punk tunes, and New Orleans is home to jazz and funk. Richmond’s music scene, however, is especially enticing because there are tons of genres that thrive in the city, like EDM, pop-punk, hip-hop, and more. Metal and rock lovers can enjoy themselves at the Canal Club, a destination for local and national hardcore bands. Even fans of classical music can get their fix at the Richmond Symphony. All preferences, no matter how obscure, can likely be satisfied in Richmond.
4. Many famous artists got their start in RVA:
Another reason to follow Richmond’s music scene is that it has served as the point of origin for many famous acts. The most well-known is perhaps the iconic heavy metal band GWAR, known for their over-the-top, and sometimes grotesque, performances. The pop-punk band Broadside, signed to Victory Records, additionally got their start in Richmond. Jonathan Russell and Tyler Williams, members of the folk-indie group the The Head and The Heart, also called RVA home in the early stages of their careers. And while some artists might have moved on to bigger and better things, Richmond’s musical alumni frequently come back for tour dates or other live performances.
5. You can combine live music with food, drinks, or art:
Watching live music is always a great time, but with the added enhancements of food, cold drinks, or art, it becomes an entirely different experience- one that anyone can enjoy in Richmond. Great food only makes the listening experience better- which is a given at Emilio’s, where authentic Spanish cuisine is combined with live jazz. But if food isn’t your definition of a good time, don’t worry: art and music lovers alike can gather at venue/arts center Gallery5, where you can enjoy a live show as well as local artists’ galleries. No matter if you’re a regular concert-goer or not, you can always have a unique live music experience in RVA.
Those were only the top five reasons why the Richmond music scene is one to be explored- and there are countless more. The world of local music in every city is growing bigger and more creative every day, but its Richmond's uniquely urban and trendy culture that makes the music scene so special.
If you're a stranger to RVA's venues or artists, hopefully, you've been inspired to go out into the city and explore what the music scene has to offer- you definitely won't regret it.
