2020 Dominion Energy Riverrock Line-up Announcement

In conjunction with Governor Northam’s recently-issued statewide stay-at-home order, Sports Backers and Venture Richmond are very disappointed to announce that the 2020 Dominion Energy Riverrock festival planned for May 15-17 at Brown’s Island and Historic Tredegar will be canceled. This is a very difficult decision for the event organizers and our dedicated community of athletes, musicians, adventurers, sponsors, and volunteers that support the festival and make Richmond such a vibrant and active place to live and visit.

​

One of the best things about Richmond's Dominion Energy Riverrock is that, no matter what time you’re at the festival, there’s always something to watch. In between the dog jumping and extreme kayaking, enjoy the free and live music happening all weekend long from Dr. Dog, The Motet, Liz Cooper & the Stampede, and more. Explore 2020's full music line-up below and start planning your May 15-17 trip to downtown's riverfront today!

On the heels of what group members call “one of the most fertile creative periods in the group’s history,” Dr. Dog will bring a wide range of sounds and sonic exploration to the Dominion Energy Riverrock stage. From their early days of 1960s-inspired psych-pop to the groove-punk and pastoral folk-rock of later albums, the Philadelphia-based artists have maintained an enduring commitment to their own creative evolution. The band is currently touring in support of their most recent album, ‘Critical Equation,’ which they released in April 2018.

​

Songs to check out: "Where'd All the Time Go?" & "Nellie"

​

If you like Grizzly Bear or Broken Bells, then you'll like Dr. Dog

The Motet harnesses energy that comes from unity and movement created during their performances to form the unique sound they’ll bring to audiences in Richmond. Featuring Dave Watts on drums, Joey Porter on keys, Garrett Sayers on bass, Ryan Jalbert on guitar, Lyle Divinsky on vocals, Drew Sayers on sax, and Parris Fleming on trumpet, The Motet released ‘Death or Devotion,’ their ninth full-length album, in January 2019, and aim to make a dynamic and definitive statement whenever they step on stage.

​

Songs to check out: "Nemesis" & "Rynodub"

​

If you like Lotus or Galactic, then you'll like The Motet

Already known in Nashville for their electric live shows, Liz Cooper & The Stampede experienced their first breakthrough in 2016 with the release of their Audiotree Live session, which has attracted over 220,000 views on YouTube and over 2,000,000 streams on Spotify. Additionally, the band placed as one of NPR Music’s runners-up during their 2016 Tiny Desk Contest. NPR Music’s Benjamin Naddaff-Hafrey hailed, “Mountain Man" as "a catchy, simple love song written with the clarity of a good cut of Nashville country." 2019 saw the group take their live show on the road with Shakey Graves, Dr. Dog, Strand Of Oaks, and Tyler Childers.

​

Songs to check out: "Mountain Man" & "Motions"

​

If you like Shovels & Rope or Futurebirds, then you'll like Liz Cooper & The Stampede

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio was formed in the spring of 2015 by Amy Novo, Delvon Lamarr’s wife and band manager. She told her husband she would take over his music career and all he had to do was find the musicians, create, and play music. Within a year, they brought on the infamous Jimmy James. Immediately, the chemistry between the three of them was undeniable. With Delvon’s soulful organ sound and Jimmy’s explosive guitar sound, they had the perfect blend of Soul, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, and Rock & Roll.

​

Songs to check out: "Move on Up" & "Concussion"

​

If you like The Budos Band or Soulive, then you'll like Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Based out of Richmond since 2002, The Hot Seats play stringband music influenced by Frank Zappa and The Allen Brothers and have played festivals like The Shetland Folk Festival, The Orkney Folk Festival, South By Southwest, Floyd Fest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, The Watermelon Park Festival, The Northeast Kingdom Music Festival, Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Maverick Festival, HebCeltFest, Speyfest, Leicester Summer Sundae, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

​

Songs to check out: "Old Jawbone" & "Peaches"

​

If you like The Freight Hoppers, then you'll like The Hot Seats

Suggesting Rhythm is a six-piece band out of Richmond, VA who recreates the music of The Grateful Dead with their own special charm and style. Founded in 2015, the group consists of members; Steve Barnard, Ed Bray, Noel Burton, Adam Drudge, David Oakley, and Jeff Rothman. Suggesting Rhythm has continued to bring the music of the Grateful Dead to the RVA music scene and beyond, year after year.

​

Songs to check out: "Terrapin Station"

​

If you like Grateful Dead, then you'll like Suggesting Rhythm

PhotoSynthesizers, aka The Light In Sound or The Lightning Sound, was formed in 2008 by guitarist Joshua Bryant and emcee Maurice "BarCodez" Jackson of Richmond, VA. The duo revels in defying definitions and expectations, artfully blending elements of Rock. Soul and Hip-Hop that look to the past as much as the unknown future. Bryant’s instinct complex layers of instrumentation serve as a perfect complement to Codez’s mind-bending use of language and rhyme, continually questioning the status quo.

​

Songs to check out: "Crush"

​

If you like Linkin Park, Black Star, or Public Enemy, then you'll like PhotoSynthesizers

The Northerners are a brother and sister led band out of Richmond, VA taking most of their influences from 60’s and 70’s classic rock. The Northerners sound has been described as part nostalgia, part new indie-rock. The siblings have been playing music together since 2012 and have since opened for Lord Huron, sealed a residency at The Camel and Adam Blake (Disney Choreographer) created a one-of-a-kind ice show around The Northerners' original music.

​

Songs to check out: "You" & "Boosie Pop"

​

If you like The Band or Grace Potter, then you'll like The Northerners

In celebration of Aretha Franklin’s legacy, Richmond-based super group R.E.S.P.E.C.T: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin formed and is fronted by local singer, Jenny Buttafly Vazquez. The former singer of Crucial Elements and Seed Is, currently graces the stage with groups such as The Flavor Project, The Southern Belles, Big Ray and the Kool Kats, and Keller Williams’ Gratefully Gospel. Performing Aretha’s hits and some obscure gems, this band includes members of: The Flavor Project, NO BS! Brass Band, The Blue Tips, and The Big Payback!

​

If you like Aretha Franklin, then you'll like R.E.S.P.E.C.T: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin

Sam Reed has been singing and performing with bands in and around Richmond, VA since 2006, but the passion she has for music goes back to early childhood. Whether singing in church or singing along to her parent's old-school records, the gift of soul-singing was always present. After meeting and working with Devonne Harris in 2012, Reed was finally convinced to start recording her solo project. With the help of Harris on production and a host of her favorite RVA musicians, she produces a sound that is undeniably soulful and resonates honesty. Simply put, Sam Reed is blazing the trail for other female funk/soul R&B artists to follow. She uses her unique sound to take the “alternative” and make it something familiar again by including influences of rock, soul, jazz, R&B, and of course good ol' southern gospel. It’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impact on the soul.

​

Songs to check out: "Astrobelt" & "Love Ain't Free"

​

If you like Chaka Khan, Steely Dan, or Sade, then you'll like Sam Reed

Chip Wells, Bran Halstead, Dave Wiskman, Greg Hopper, and Jason Brown make up The Embalmers, a surfer-psych, garage-a-go-go ensemble sure to get the crowd dancing.

​

Songs to check out: "House of the Rising Sun"

​

If you like Dick Dale or The Ventures, then you'll like The Embalmers