Ra Ra Riot played to a nearly sold-out crowd at the 9:30 Club last Wednesday. The band is touring in support of their new album Beta Love that was released only the day prior to the show.
2013 marks a new chapter for the band, as it is for the first time in their almost seven-year history that they are touring and playing without the lovely Alexandra Lawn, their former cellist. The core of the band, however, is still there, and they seem to be moving forward at full steam. Riot serves up all the crowd favorites with a sprinkling of their new album throughout their set. Their set list included “Dance With Me,” “Boy,” and “Shadowcasting.”
I was pleasantly surprised with their live sound and stage presence. The band is clearly having fun while they are on stage, and the energetic crowd was screaming for more in between every song. At one point towards the end of their set, Riot’s front man Wes Miles proclaimed, “We would stay here all night if we could.” For me, Riot’s music translates as a much more emotional experience live then it does on their records.
Photos: Richie Downs
