Friday Cheers Lineup 2025
May 2nd, 2025
Chaparelle with The Jack Wharff Band
Chaparelle is a country-folk duo led by pop artist Zella Day and folk musician Jesse Woods, blending timeless country influences with a modern edge. On their debut tour with Beau Bedford, they’ve captivated audiences with twangy harmonies, Texas-inspired storytelling, and undeniable onstage chemistry. With only two released songs, including the raw and romantic “Sex & Rage,” they’re already making waves as a fresh take on classic country duos.
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If you like George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris you’ll like Chaparelle.
The Jack Wharff Band blends bluegrass, country, and rock, drawing from Wharff’s deep-rooted connection to bluegrass through his father’s band, The Slack Family. At 21, Wharff began writing songs to capture raw emotions from his past. In 2023, he formed the band with drummer Garrett Howell and bassist Ryan Atchison after meeting at an open mic night in Richmond. The band quickly gained attention with original song snippets on TikTok and Reels, making them a rising act in 2024.
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If you like Tyler Childers, Sam Barber, Del McCoury you’ll like The Jack Wharff Band.
May 9th, 2025
Bully with Rikki Rakki
Lucky For You is a kaleidoscopic rock record from Bully, blending punk grit, shoegaze, Britpop, and anthemic rock while exploring themes of grief and transformation. Inspired by the loss of Bognanno's beloved dog Mezzi, the album channels raw emotion into powerful songs like "Days Move Slow" and "Hard to Love." The record also reflects on her three years of sobriety, grappling with the lingering shadows of her past. Ultimately, Lucky For You is a testament to perseverance, vulnerability, and the cathartic power of music.
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If you like Soccer Mommy, Ratboys, Speedy Ortiz you’ll like Bully.
Rikki Rakki is a dreamy, "stargazy" rock & roll band from Richmond, VA, led by songwriter Erika Blatnik. Their sound blends reverb-soaked harmonies, ambient textures, and sharp rhythms to explore themes of hope and introspection. They released their debut EP, Quarantine Sessions, in 2022 and their full-length album, Breaking Skin, in 2023, earning critical praise and a Newlin Music Prize nomination. Currently, the band is performing along the East Coast and preparing to release a new EP this spring.
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If you like Big Thief, Hop Along, Wednesday you’ll like Rikki Rakki.
May 23rd, 2025
RVA Music Night with Dogpark, Weekend Plans & Caroline Vain
Dogpark got their start performing at University of Richmond (their alma-mater), before launching into sell-out shows across the country. The band consists of Eamon Moore (lead vocals), Chris Conte (drums), Declan Harris (lead guitar), Billy Apostolou (bass/guitar), and Will Harford (vocals/bass/guitar). Infectious stage presence and an homage to the indie-rock of the 90s have kick-started their career from a backyard band to a mainstage group. The band’s EP, ‘Breaking in Brooklyn,’ proves that they are here to make a mark, and with the release of their upcoming full-length album, this is only the beginning.
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If you like Jeff Buckley, The National, Elliott Smith you’ll like Dogpark.
Weekend Plans creates an electrifying blend of funk, hip-hop, jazz, and soul that has captivated audiences since 2016. Hailing from Richmond, VA, this eight-piece group has come together to express their love of music, old and new, in a way that adds a brand new flavor to the musical melting pot of their hometown. Weekend Plans consists of Kayen Wilborn, Jordan Mason, Logos The Poetic, Forrest Link, Justin Ott, Chet Frierson, Nathanael Clark, and DeSean Gault. After releasing their debut, all original album “State of Nine” in 2019 with Elephant Ear Studios, their latest songs illustrate their sonic evolution as they embark on their second album.
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If you like The Roots, John Legend, and Silk Sonic you’ll like Weekend Plans.
Caroline Vain is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter based in Richmond, VA. After completing her undergraduate and master's degrees in Music Performance at London College of Music in the UK, Caroline returned to her home state of Virginia to pursue a career in songwriting and performing. Her debut EP is set to release February 21, 2025. An esteemed fiddle player in RVA, often performing with other local artists such as Mackenzie Roark and The Hotpants, Deau Eyes, Villages, and more, Caroline displays her artful songwriting and unique instrumentation in her 4 piece band.
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If you like Joni Mitchell, Big Thief, and Radiohead you’ll like Caroline Vain.
May 30th, 2025
Josiah and the Bonnevilles with Jonathan Paige Brown Jr.
If you want to know about Josiah and the Bonnevilles just listen to their songs. Front Man and Tennessee native Josiah Leming lays his life bare in the gritty, gripping lyrics, from romantic relationships hitting the skids to wonderful, whiskey-soaked one night stands to the struggles of being a rootless touring musician since the age of 17.
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If you like Caamp, Watchhouse, Mt. Joy you’ll like Josiah and the Bonnevilles.
Jonathan Paige Brown Jr.'s music flows with vitality, blending technical expertise and deep emotion into a captivating experience. His talent has made him a staple in Virginia’s music scene, effortlessly fitting into any setting, whether performing or observing. In early 2024, he released his debut single, Divine, to critical acclaim. Brown’s presence continues to grow, marking him as an artist to watch.
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If you like Tracy Chapman, Ray LaMontagne, Tyler Childers you’ll like Jonathan Paige Brown Jr.
June 6th, 2025
Kashus Culpepper with Ramona & The Holy Smokes
Alabama-born country crooner Kashus Culpepper encompasses the sound of the South. A student and reverent purveyor of Southern music – country, soul, blues, folk, and rock – Culpepper’s husky, sandpaper growl bellows like a freight train over self-penned stories that are as raw and real as they are haunting. Finding his voice in church as young as five years old, it wasn’t until 2020’s global pandemic that Culpepper went from listener to performer, picking up a guitar and learning cover songs to play at barrack bonfires in Rota, Spain during his deployment with the Navy. Covers soon became originals, and once he landed home on U.S. shores, Kash played dive bars up and down the Mississippi Gulf Coast, making a name for himself with the fresh-yet-reminiscent sound that oozes from his very being.
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If you like Ray Lamontagne, Marcus King, Chris Stapleton you’ll like Kashus Culpepper.
Ramona and the Holy Smokes is a Honky Tonk band from Charlottesville Virginia, whose original music recalls classic country from the 1950s and 60s. The Holy Smokes are fronted by Ramona Martinez, a prolific singer-songwriter whose sincere and heartfelt music has been described as "incredibly relatable" and "earnest." She also pulls from her Mexican-American roots to perform and compose traditional Mariachi music in a Country Western style.
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If you like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Emily Nenni you’ll like Ramona & the Holy Smokes.
June 13th, 2025
La Lom with Afro-Zen Allstars
Founded in Los Angeles in 2017, LA LOM adds a modern flare to Cumbia, and Classic Latin music. After releasing their Debut EP in August 2022, LA LOM has been reaching a youthful audience looking to listen and dance to the euphoric rhythms and sounds of Cumbia.
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LA LOM's sound is a blend of surf rock, cumbia sonidera, country twang, and Peruvian chicha.
Afro-Zen Allstars is a high-energy Richmond-based band that blends African musical traditions with jazz and jam influences. Their sound is heavily inspired by Ethiopia’s musical "Golden Age" of the 1960s and '70s, featuring blazing horns, a dynamic rhythm section, and intricate instrumental jams. Known for their global grooves, they create music that moves both body and spirit.
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If you like Mulatu Astatke, Fela Kuti & Budos Band you’ll like Afro-Zen Allstars.
June 20th, 2025
The War and Treaty with Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns and Madeline Edwards
The War and Treaty, founded in 2014 by Michael and Tanya Trotter, has become a dynamic force in American music. Nominated for Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song at the 2024 GRAMMYs, they’ve also earned nominations for Duo of the Year at the CMA Awards and Vocal Duo of the Year at the ACM Awards. The duo has won two Americana Music Awards for Duo/Group of the Year and received further recognition from various prestigious organizations, including CMT, Folk Alliance International, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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If you like Ike and Tina Turner, Tyler Childers, Al Green you’ll like The War and Treaty.
For a group of musicians who came together by accident, Mekong Xpress have kept fans coming back time and time again. Holding down a weekly residency at Richmond, VA’s The Answer Brewpub since 2013, the lively, eclectic group has entertained crowds with their mix of vintage blues, R&B, and funk.
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If you like A bowl of hot pho, Suburban Lawns, Earth Wind and Fire you’ll like Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns.
Madeline Edwards is a genre-blending singer-songwriter known for her powerful, emotive voice and heartfelt storytelling that fuses country, jazz, soul, and rock. After gaining national recognition in 2021 with her debut album Crashlanded, she toured with Chris Stapleton and Alanis Morissette, solidifying her place in modern music. Following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus marked by personal loss and career setbacks, she returns stronger than ever with a deeply personal sophomore album, ready to reclaim her voice as a resilient artist and storyteller.
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If you like Marren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton you'll like Madeline Edwards.
June 27th, 2025
Say She She with Big Fancy
Say She She is a soulful, female-led trio known for their disco-infused sound, with members Piya Malik, Sabrina Mileo Cunningham, and Nya Gazelle Brown coming together in NYC. Their sophomore album Silver, released in 2023, was recorded live to tape, capturing their raw creativity and warmth. Inspired by artists like Grace Jones and Tom Tom Club, their music blends vintage and modern influences, earning praise from MOJO and The Guardian. With sold-out shows, major festival performances, and TV appearances, Say She She continues to captivate audiences while using their platform for creativity and social commentary.
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If you like Rick James, Chic, Grace Jones you’ll like Say She She.
Big Fancy is a Richmond-based indie disco band that blends soul, dance, and jazz influences into a timeless sound. Drawing from neo-soul, R&B, and deep groove, they’ve written over 15 original tracks and gained fans from Richmond to Paris. Voted one of Richmond’s top five bands by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, their energetic live performances have made them a local favorite. Through their music, Big Fancy explores love in all its forms, celebrating rhythm, connection, and movement.
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If you like Thee Sacred Souls, Jungle, The Marías you’ll like Big Fancy.