Stone Soul Music and Food Festival Returns to Richmond with a Sizzling Comeback
After a five-year hiatus, the Stone Soul Music and Food Festival made its highly anticipated return to Brown’s Island on June 22—and despite the sweltering heat, the crowd showed up and showed out.
Thousands of attendees from across the region packed the island to experience the urban music event that once defined summer in Richmond. With free cooling stations strategically placed throughout the venue, festivalgoers stayed cool while enjoying an electric mix of live performances, food, and community engagement.
This year’s festival brought together a powerful lineup across two stages. The crowd swayed to the smooth vocals of Tamar Braxton, turned all the way up for Southern rap legends Juvenile and Trina, and got down with the legendary Backyard Band’s go-go grooves. Gospel powerhouse Kim Burrell added spiritual depth to the lineup, while veteran party band Legacy Band and five emerging artists from Radio One’s local 804 Sessions contest brought homegrown talent to the forefront.
Co-produced for the first time by Broadberry Entertainment Group, the event leaned into its party roots with nonstop beats from some of Richmond’s most loved DJs. DJ Lonnie B, fresh off his 25th anniversary with POWER 92, shared the stage with his daughter Aliyah the DJ, alongside DJ Dollaz, DJ Sir RJ, DJ J Dream, DJ Drake, and DJ Flava—all keeping the energy high and the dance floors full.
Beyond the music, the festival embraced its community-driven spirit with more than a dozen food trucks serving up favorites, and over 20 local organizations and artisans setting up shop. Whether you came for the food, the music, or the culture, Stone Soul made sure there was something for everyone.
The festival's return marked more than just a comeback—it reminded the city of its legacy in the urban music space. Richmond missed this, and Stone Soul proved it still has the juice.
