For the past seven years, Richmond’s Ghost of Pop Festival has featured the best collection of indie-pop bands in the city. Founded by local music fixture Prabir Mehta, the one-night showcase takes a moment to focus on the often overlooked pop-rock community and serves as a pre-holiday gathering of musical friends and family. Some years allowed new bands to shine while others served as a band’s farewell blowout. Remember when Prabir and the Substitutes set their gear on fire and trashed the stage before disbanding? Expect a reunion of horn-metal outfit Sau as well as performances by Goldrush, Andrew Leahey and the Homestead, the Trillions, My Old Ways and Herro Sugar. The event benefits HomeAgain, a local shelter and service provider for the homeless. Ghost of Pop 8 kicks off at Gallery5 on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. $5. gallery5arts.org.
