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MJ Lenderman in Richmond

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MJ Lenderman
Altria Theater — Richmond, VA
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About MJ Lenderman

MJ Lenderman is a North Carolina-based indie rock songwriter who makes guitar-driven songs that feel both lived-in and meticulously crafted. His work sits somewhere between the introspective tradition of '90s alt-rock and contemporary indie sensibilities, with lyrics that tend toward specific, observational details rather than broad emotional statements. He's released a handful of EPs and full-lengths that have gradually built him a devoted following outside the usual music industry machinery. His songwriting favors understated hooks and arrangements that know when to pull back, letting silence do as much work as the instruments themselves. Lenderman performs regularly in the Southeast and beyond, maintaining the kind of career trajectory that suggests he's more interested in making music on his own terms than chasing trends or breakthrough moments.

His shows have the feel of someone who'd rather talk to three people who really get it than play to a thousand who don't. Sets are tight, guitar work is precise, and there's a noticeable absence of between-song chatter. Crowds tend quiet and attentive, which says something about both the music and who shows up to hear it.

Known for Linger, She Rides Horses, Wristwatch, Underlow, Bombsquad

MJ Lenderman + Richmond

MJ Lenderman rolled through The National in Richmond on May 19, 2025, delivering a twenty-song set that proved he's figured out how to make the weird stuff work in a room. The setlist moved around without apology—"Ghost of Your Guitar Solo" kicked things off, but then he pivoted to deeper cuts like "Catholic Priest" and "I Ate Too Much at the Fair," songs that shouldn't work but did because of how straightforward he played them. "Bark at the Moon" landed somewhere in the middle, and by the time he got to "Knockin'" near the end, the whole thing felt inevitable. "Dancing in the Club" sent people out, which tracks for a guy whose music doesn't take itself seriously even when it's sharp enough to draw blood.

MJ Lenderman in Richmond News

Live Music in Richmond

Richmond's indie rock circuit has always had room for the off-kilter stuff—the city's pulled in artists who'd rather be weird than safe. Lenderman fits that lineage, making songs that are melodic enough to stick but strange enough to stay interesting. The National itself has become a crucial venue for artists doing their own thing, hosting the kind of shows where the crowd actually listens instead of just standing around. There's an audience here that gets what he's doing.

Richmond road trip to see MJ Lenderman?

Stay in the Fan District, Richmond's most elegant neighborhood, where tree-lined streets and historic brownstones offer genuine character. Book a table at Mama J's or Edo's Squid, both understated and excellent. Spend your non-show hours at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture or wandering Maymont Park's formal gardens and James River views. The James River itself is worth a walk along Belle Isle. Post-show, grab drinks at The Bogart, a solid cocktail bar in a historic building near The National venue.

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