Kevin Koczwara

Kevin Koczwara

In their first performance in Northampton, Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot wowed fans with an explosion of anxious beats, lavish string arrangements and passionately delivered vocals.

Following a 45-minute set by Massachusetts locals Whistle Jack, Ra Ra Riot took the stage to an enthusiastic and vocal crowd. Within moments after their sound check, the first cat calls for “Freebird” came, and acting like any self respecting band would, they were promptly ignored.

Kick-starting the evening was “A Matter to Act” off of their self-titled EP, a song that ordinarily possesses great enthusiasm, but witnessed live takes on a life of its own. Vocalist Wesley Miles softly transitioned on stage from keyboards to his microphone stand, striking delicate keynotes while belting out insatiably catchy melodies. Warm waves of sound generated by cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller combined with Cameron Wisch’s drumming propelled the song to new heights.

Quickly transitioning into their second selection, the up tempo “Each Year,” proved to be a perfect companion to their opening song. With every passing and progressing note, the at-capacity crowd swayed and danced along with arguably the catchiest song in the band’s repertoire. Both guitarist Milo Bonacci and bassist Mathieu Santos proved to be quite the showmen with their animated stage movements, while Wisch was a whirlwind of flailing limbs, sticks and hairFollowing two of the band’s established hits, the first taste of new material was presented.

Miles removed his microphone from its perch and explored the limited confines of the stage, playing off of Santos and butting heads with one another, stirring up the crowd into a frenzy. In an age where excess is commonplace in stage mannerisms, Miles is understated yet passionate with the microphone, feeding off his band members and elevating the performance to new levels in the process.

The slower “Can You Tell” proved to be a highlight of the evening, with Miles shining in his transition to the roll of crooner and Wisch continuing to show that he is a valuable addition to the band’s lineup. Wisch joined the band following the tragic death of their drummer John Pike last summer. Driving the song with a tom drum and a heavy arrangement of anxious rhythm, Wisch managed to put his own unique twist on the established track. Throughout the song, Santos continued to show flashes of brilliance with his highly animated stage movements and knack for catchy and structurally-gifted bass lines.

Delving into some more fresh material, the band showed an affinity towards their signature stringed backdrop while incorporating tambourine and more dance inspiring bass lines. Also introduced were the vocal contributions of Lawn, who serves as a quiet and sultry counter to Miles vocal stylings. One new song, the night’s slowest and mellowest piece, illustrated the obvious talents of Lawn and Zeller. Their use of cello and violin gorgeously carried the intimate song.

The unquestionable highlight of the evening was “Ghost Under Rocks,” a song that exemplifies the bands strengths. Filled with vocal interplay between the urgent Miles and the delicate Lawn, wonderfully layered cello and violin and a thunderous backbone rhythm, these elements all combine to create a truly breathtaking experience. The entire band, amplified or otherwise, yelled in unison along with lyrics about “soaking wet dreams” this, more so than at any instance in the night, demonstrated not only the bands musical prowess but also the kinship amongst the group. Having survived tragedy, Ra Ra Riot exude confidence and are a unified and dedicated unit, bursting with potential and passion, while proving that great bands can thrive in the face of adversity.

Closing the night out was a spirited performance of “Dying is Fine,” bringing the crowd to its most frantic point during the set. Swaying and clapping along with the band as they fired through the song, the last note was greeted with overwhelming applause. Following many thanks, Miles promised that they would return as soon as possible.

Quite simply, Ra Ra Riot combines one of the most engaging live performances with wonderfully constructed, multi-faceted songs. In addition to this, Friday’s show also demonstrated their ability to strike a balance between playing new and established material to satisfy any fan’s palate. Their songs are overflowing with liveliness, and the camaraderie amongst the members is a sight to behold. Their performance is not to be missed.

Brian Wood can be reached at [email protected].