It’s nearly upon us. The time when heat waves morph into sun-soaked dazes ultimately culminating in hazy summer nights. Across the nation, schools are winding down and vacation season is on the horizon. Before long, we’ll be relishing in the blend of sweat-soaked relaxation, simultaneously grumbling about the heat while reveling in the vitality it brings. It’s a paradoxical dance with nature, eagerly awaited each year yet quickly met with complaints at the slightest hint of a bug bite. A constant tug-of-war ensues, where perceptions shift wildly, and an irrepressible desire for carefree enjo ..read more

Water falling from the sky has long symbolized profound emotional revelations, encompassing both sorrow and joy. In the cleansing downpour, the true essence of our realities is revealed—some too agonizing to bear, while others too euphoric to grasp entirely. It serves as an ideal backdrop for the most compelling dramatic expression, permeating novels, cinema, and even music since the inception of each medium. Through this deluge of emotional intensity, we can find the most stunning of artists, which just so happens to be what we find standing tall behind the passionate deluge of a bold new s ..read more

FEATURED SHOW Charged Up Fest Friday, May 31, 7 PM Kickoff Concert, feat. Shawn Gray, A. Chardae, Cakess, CMRNPRKR, Tso Ghostly, Gees, Hellyway, M I C A H, Mizz D, P2P Rixh, LBE Hunt, Krakk, Ambitious Rich, Varr Venom, Ladylike, Slim Kartel, King Amor, Flip It Quik, Trill Phil, Crazy Karl, Yri, St. Lemoor, Hosted by Lili Chanel, Music by DJ Banga & Melodic @ The Hofheimer – $15 in advance, $20 day of show (order tickets HERE) Saturday, June 1, 12 PM Community Block Party, feat. Zhe Aqueen, Taesean, Ace Omerta, Jerel Crockett, Charged Up Vell, Kayla Joy, J Will & Trevon10K, Rich City Co ..read more

It’s been nearly sixty years since The Sonics recorded “Have Love, Will Travel,” leaving the underground rock world with a blueprint for barebones intensity. In 2024, this legacy is upheld by bands diving into the riffs, melodies, rhythms, and frenzy that defined the era-bridging garage rock and first-wave punk. Of course, it’s useless to get caught up in the murky defined genres and scenes. The charm of “protopunk” lay not in its uniformity but in the irregular paths musicians took to create a fertile sound, where a minimalist approach and maximalist execution thrived. Three chords and a dr ..read more

Fear of rain, we cast away, For live music calls today. To Main Line Brewery, we gather near, Anticipation rising, joy sincere.  With the clouds moving and sun beaming, The music begins, our hearts are gleaming. Deau Eyes conducts the heartfelt strings, Cleophus James, the groove they brings.  Mikrowaves’ horns fill the air, Michael Millions heats with flair. Hotspit’s brilliance lights the scene, Pamyra’s soothing, soft and serene.  Mekong Express, pure and clear, Illiterate Light rocks at a top tier. Butcher Brown’s soul, heaven’s sound, From Radio B to Charles Owens, guests ..read more

The electrifying crackle of a distorted guitar. The relentless roar of a drum kit. The pulsating rhythm of a bass. Garage rock’s allure knows no bounds, especially in the classic power trio format where a harmony of tight noise ignites melodic passion, urging you to seize a guitar or drumstick and immerse yourself in its invigorating aura. Nowhere is this sensation more palpable than in emerging musical acts, where unbridled expression flows freely without pretense. It’s an eruption of inspiration, filtered through the personal prism of the musicians, perpetually dazzling and invigorating. T ..read more

FEATURED SHOW Monday, May 27, 1 PM Daydream Fest, feat. Butcher Brown, Illiterate Light, Mekong Xpress, Palmyra, Hotspit, Deau Eyes String Quartet, Michael Millions, Mikrowaves, Cleophus James @ Main Line Brewery – $30 in advance, $40 at the door (order tickets HERE) It was unavoidable. Inevitable. If you pay any attention to what’s happening with live music in the Richmond area (and if you’re reading this column, I would think you do), you had to know it was coming. Sure enough, the third edition of Daydream Fest is my pick for featured show this week. Realistically, it couldn’t be anything e ..read more

This Thursday, May 23rd, queer pop phenom Chappel Roan will hit the stage on Brown’s Island for a sold-out show that’s sure to be the talk of Richmond for months to come. Demand is still high for this show that originally sold out The National when first announced before crashing the box office once moved to Brown’s Island via the Live Loud concert series. Lucky for you though, The Auricular is giving away TWO FREE TICKETS this week to this amazing concert and you can enter now by checking out this post on our Instagram page:   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The A ..read more

For many, music is a quest for catharsis. With each new track, there’s the opportunity to experience those exhilarating moments: the goosebumps that rise on your forearms, the intoxicating rush of a crafty electric riff, or the spine-tingling sensation that you get when a fiery bridge leads into a triumphant chorus. Lyrics offer a similar rush, with verses sticking in our minds like timeless proverbs, ones that resonate universally with poised insight. When these musical and lyrical realms intertwine, such as in a pivotal phrase during a key change or a raw, guttural outcry framing a tense b ..read more

Richmond psych-rockers Hearts In Exile have been hard at work over the last year and a half putting the finishing touches on their debut self-titled album. While fans have been treated to sneak peeks of the record online and at various gigs around the Richmond scene, today marks another exciting step towards its release with the unveiling of their latest twangy, lo-fi single, “Hardcore Master.” Short, sweet, and to the point, the band packs all their effortless charm into this playful song, something that radiates through the accompanying music video, which The Auricular is proud to premiere ..read more