Thursday, Sept. 26
Mystic 100s with Night Rider in the Sky and Stone Garden Jam Temple @ Gallery5
Formerly known as Milk Music, Olympia Washington’s sonic seekers, Mystic 100s, reemerged last year under a new moniker (a carryover from their previous ‘17 outing) and a new double-album offering, “On A Micro Diet.” Retooled after a six-year hibernation from the cyber nation, the album is expansive and sprawling with a pair of cuts soaring over the double-digit minute mark. Indeed, it sounds fresh and clean-shaven for a new day. I’m curious to see where these psych-rock journeymen (as in, it’s a journey, man) take things on stage given the open, groove-rooted terrain at play. Think Television meets a DIY Grateful Dead. Night Rider in the Sky and Stone Garden Jam Temple’s names vividly evoke more of the aural states to come at the historic Jackson Ward fire station. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost is $15.—Tim Abbondelo
Dave Douglas at VCU, Curt Sydnor @ Révéler Experiences
It probably should not have been possible for one of the best trumpeters of his generation to slip into VCU without fanfare. Dave Douglas has been a vital contributor to the New York scene and jazz written large, since emerging as a member of John Zorn’s Masada, a group that blended Ornette Coleman energy with Jewish culture, starting a unique musical subgenre that continues with shifting members 30 years later. Douglas’ work as a leader is even more wide ranging, from Americana to the avant-garde. Each time he comes to RVA, it is with a different approach. This time, with an election looming, it is with Overcome, an all-star quartet with two vocalists, a name hearkening back to the Civil Rights era, and a mission to support racial, voting, climate, and gender justice. If none of those things seem particularly important, this might not be an event for you. If they do, hearing top musicians make a heartfelt, collaborative case for a better world is an admirable way to spend an evening. Or at least start one.
The VCU performances tend to end early. Maybe early enough to not miss much of Curt Sydnor’s release party at Révéler. The innovative local pianist/composer’s new song “All the Days Are Numbered” is a hypnotic meditation on limitation featuring an all-star RVA/NYC band. Over the past five years he has emerged as a unique voice, notably with his album “Heaven is Begun” and his twice-performed suite “The Fall of Richmond.” Classically trained and Minister of Music at historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, his work touches a variety of genres (pop, jazz, spiritual) without quite settling on any of them.—Peter McElhinney
The Dave Douglas Overcome concert takes place at Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall on at 7:30. Individual tickets are available for $20. (Discounted for students and faculty.) And Curt Sydnor plays Révéler Experiences on Cary Street from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Prabir Trio album release show with IONNA and the Wayward Leaves at the Camel
Veteran local musician Prabir Mehta has a new album, “Long After The Empire.” You can check out a new video below to get a feel for the new album’s mix of Indian classical vibes and California rock. Show starts at 8 p.m. $10 to $12.
Friday, Sept. 27
The 20th Anniversary of the Richmond Folk Festival (runs through Sunday)
You know, it might be raining, but RVA loves the Folk Fest and the diehards will turn out, especially for the 20th anniversary edition that we’ve been writing about all week. Runs all weekend long by the downtown riverfront. Free admission, but don’t forget to donate to the orange bucket brigade –or pick up a copy of Style Weekly’s special Folk Fest commemorative print issue for $20.
Kevin Hart @ Altria Theater
For some reason, I vaguely remember someone telling me that Kevin Hart got a tattoo in RVA once. The Philly native, movie star and multiple Emmy nominee (who never met a job he didn’t take) returns with some of his wisecrakin’ little dude-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder comedy. This is his “Acting My Age” tour and a second night has been added on Saturday, Sept. 28. Tickets start at $75.50 plus fees. Both nights start at 7:30 p.m.
J Roddy Walston and Camo Face @ the Get Tight Lounge
J.Roddy kinda reminds me of Richmond’s own modern-day Leon Russell for some reason, though his music contains multitudes (not least of which, the gospel influence). It’s always a thrill to see a major talent like Walston in an intimate venue. As he recently said on his IG: “Who’s ready for something old, something new something rad and something full band/full catalog/full rock this weekend?” 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24.25 and available here.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Tim Cappello @ Cobra Cabana
This iconic saxophonist best known for his role as Beach Concert Star in Joel Schumacher’s ‘87 cult film, “The Lost Boys”—a role reprised in the season two finale of “Reservation Dogs”—is back! If you don’t readily know the scene where a ponytailed, bare-chested Capello positively pummels the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with an exuberant rendition of The Call’s “I Still Believe,” you’ve probably seen the memes of his scene-stealing, sax-wielding, chiseled physique, glistening and gyrating in all its filmic glory. But would you believe Cappello’s pop culture cache extends beyond “Lost Boys” fame? It does big-time, as Cappello has lent his woodwind acumen to Peter Gabriel, Carly Simon, Tina Turner and Sir Ringo Starr. Pulling from a vast songbook, expect a unique and memorable one-man show. Of course, nothing will compare to posing for a selfie with the legend, and you can count on photo-ops galore, in the event you want to tell your grandkids you rocked out with 42nd president Bill Clinton. Doors are at 7 p.m. and cost $18.—Tim Abbondelo
Third annual Flynn Fest: a benefit for the Anna Julia Cooper School at River City Roll
Local heads come out for this annual charity concert named after the former local teacher Flynn Wyche, originally from Petersburg, who left us way too soon in 2019. This year’s benefit features live music by the Mills Family Band, Spring Street Hotel and Kooler Heads. Tickets are $25 and all proceeds go to the Anna Julia Cooper School, an “independent, faith-based school providing full tuition scholarships to 4th-8th grade students of limited resources in Richmond’s East End.” This year’s Flynn Fest runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Southern Culture on the Skids and the Woggles @ The Broadberry
For over 40 years, SCOTS has been delighting audiences with its own Southern-fried psychobilly, swamp rock and deranged surf music out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. And let’s be real here, they still have one of the best band names ever to come out of any Carolina and there’s also that hall-of-fame strut song, “Camel Walk.” Tonight should be a party as they’re joined by another Southern musical institution, the Woggles, garage rockers from Athens, Georgia (who also mix genres from British Invasion to R&B and ‘60s soul). $20. 7 p.m.
Deau Eyes Tour de Richmond (various venues)
Who else but Ali Thibodeau, the 2023 Newlin Music Prize-winning singer-songwriter who performs as Deau Eyes, could book eight gigs in the same city over the course of less than two weeks and make each one unique? That’s the improbable magic of the Deau Eyes Tour de Richmond, which is underway as we speak. She’s already played a standard-lineup rock show at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, a collaborative program with R4ND4ZZO BIGB4ND at Révéler Experiences and a local covers set at Plan 9 in Carytown, among other early tour highlights. Next up? A stop at Common House on Saturday, Sept. 28 for a duo set alongside multi-instrumentalist Charles Owens. After that, on Sunday, Sept. 29, she’ll join drummer Kofi Shepsu and bassist Andrew Carper for a trio set at Union Market as part of an afterparty following Keep Virginia Cozy’s Church Hill neighborhood cleanup. Then on Monday, Sept. 30, she’ll wrap up the series at Celeste Farms in Varina with an evening of yoga, music, and farm-fresh food – and hopefully some well-earned downtime afterward. For more details, visit linktr.ee/xodeau.—Davy Jones
Sunday, Sept. 29
State Fair of Virginia at Meadow Event Park in Doswell (Sept. 27 through Oct. 6)
Who doesn’t love Midway Madness this time of year? The family-friendly state fair starts this weekend and features rides like Hydra, Fireball, Vertigo and the Zipper, and of course, the Century Wheel (Ferris Wheel). Visit their website to plan your trip. Children four and under are free. Other prices vary and there are unlimited ride wristband tickets (which does not include admission). https://www.statefairva.org
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers @ the Broadberry
Five-time, Grammy award-winning bassist and songwriter Victor Wooten brings his fam to town to blow minds. Wooten has been named one of the 10 best bassists of all-time by Rolling Stone magazine and is known for his time spent playing with another virtuoso, Béla Fleck, though this time he’ll have the jazz/funk/soul chops of the Wooten Broters with him. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets range $35 to $50.
