GALLERY: Ron Pope at Charlottesville’s The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
Photo by Clara Castle
THE SOUTHERN CAFE AND MUSIC HALL | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | MARCH 11, 2025 | BY CLARA CASTLE
On a rare rest day in their packed tour schedule, Ron Pope and Denitia brought their soulful, storytelling-driven sets to The Southern in Charlottesville. Nestled in the heart of the Downtown Mall, the intimate venue set the tone for a night that felt less like a traditional concert and more like an evening spent with old friends.
Denitia opened the night with a comedic moment. “How’s everyone doing tonight?” This question was followed up by the audience volunteering an enthusiastic “woo.” “I love when my audience feels ‘woo,’” she said. Her seamless blend of indie, folk, and R&B influences paired with her easygoing humor made for an effortless connection with the audience. “I’m a big checker-inner,” she shared between songs. Even the simple act of sipping water turned into a lighthearted moment: “This isn’t really part of the show like… and now you watch me drink... water.” But when she sang, she commanded the room—her voice rich with emotion, her lyrics deeply resonant.
Ron Pope reflected on when he found himself feeling discouraged by a record label he had partnered with, he received wisdom from Jackson Browne, “Everyone in that label is going to have different jobs in five years… but you’re still going to be you,” he mused, grounding the night in authenticity.
He made sure the audience felt that honesty, especially when introducing “Work.” “It’s basically a song about my life,” he explained. “I wanted to be able to tell stories.” And tell stories he did—whether it was about a recent trip to Ireland or the simple joys of beginning the night on a sweet note: “I thought I’d take a walk, get a dessert… because ya know… it’s about that time of night.”
