Richmond’s off-season music scene is receiving a breath of new life with the arrival of Toad’s Place, a new music venue that can accommodate more than 1,000 people.
Toad’s Place, which opened in August, is beginning to book
big-name acts ranging from punk band Dropkick Murphies to
funk performers, such as George Clinton. Both bands, along with several other big names, are set to perform this fall.
Long known for its live music scene in the summer, Richmond
has been unable to attract the same groups during the rest of the year, leaving many music fans in the cold. However, Toad’s Place is aiming to attract concert enthusiasts, such as VCU psychology major Zack Villalon, 21.
“I’ve traveled all over to see bands like the Disco Biscuits, Gov’t
Mule and Moe, but now all I have to do is walk down the street.
The convenience Toad’s Place brings is nice,” Villalon said.
Located in the heart of the Canal Walk on 14th Street, Toad’s
Place will be accessible to students year-round.
“I already have my tickets for P-Funk, and I’m waiting for the
Derek Trucks Band tickets to go on sale next week,” Villalon
said.
Students, such as mechanical engineering major Neil Dillon,
22, have found major shows hard to find.
A Richmond concert void has left many students traveling to
Charlottesville and Washington, D.C., to feed their musical fix.
“In the four years I’ve been here in Richmond, I’ve probably seen twice the number of shows in Charlottesville,” Dillon said.
In addition to providing local music fans with a place to see
live music, Toad’s Place also provides local musicians a larger
venue to perform.
VCU student Steven Boone, 21, is a member of the Steve Carter Connexion that recently performed at Toad’s Place.
“The inside is really nice, much like the Norva or the 9:30
Club, and the sound system is superb,” Boone said.
Members of The Steve Carter Connexion also are excited about the opportunity Toad’s Place offers to bands in the Richmond area.
“I think that Toad’s Place will be an outlet for local bands to
open for national acts,” Boone said.
The new music venue will boost outside respect for the city’s
music scene, said Cris Redd, keyboardist for the Steve Carter
Connexion.
“Toad’s Place will make the Richmond music scene more yearround,” Redd said. “I think that it will help to put Richmond
back on the map with places like Charlottesville and Washington, D.C.”
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For information on upcoming shows and ticket
availability visit Toad’s Place on the web at
http://toadsplacerva.com