Spring Break
The Daily OrangeIncite a Riot: Syracuse University alums Ra Ra Riot performed new songs and old favorites at The Westcott
By Caitlin Dewey
Posted: 3/30/09, 1:25 AM EST Section: Feature
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"Yeah, I'm disappointed, but I knew it would sell out," she said. "It's Ra Ra Riot - they're local, they're incredible, and they're getting big."
McLaughlin was one of more than 50 disappointed concert-goers turned away from The Westcott Saturday night. The 9 p.m. show sold out shortly before 7 p.m., as 700 fans snatched up chances to see hometown hero Ra Ra Riot and supporting acts Cut Off Your Hands, So Many Dynamos and Sophistafunk.
Only one year ago, the classically influenced pop quintet was still playing its Syracuse shows from Funk 'N' Waffles' tiny, crowded stage. After a year of touring, however, and the release of a critically acclaimed debut album, "The Rhumb Line," Syracuse University's music grads have officially outgrown the venue that created them.
"I think they're the type of people who are very down to earth and they won't forget their roots, but they're getting huge," said Kevin Kearns, a senior television, radio and film major. "Since the album came out, they're blowing up." Both anticipation and near-stifling humidity hung in the air as the packed venue awaited Ra Ra Riot's set.
The crowd was more than willing to scream, dance and mosh along to any song the openers tossed at them, be it a spitfire lyrical flow from Funk 'N' Waffles fixture Sophistafunk or a semi-clichéd - but nevertheless exuberant - powerpop anthem from New Zealand import Cut Off Your Hands.
No one appeared to mind or even notice the absence of well-known electro opener Passion Pit, who dropped out of the tour last week. Credit that success to So Many Dynamos, Passion Pit's infectious dance-punk replacement. With a Ben Gibbard aesthetic, a Les Savy Fav sound, and energy and baselines and breakdowns to spare, So Many Dynamos easily played the best opening set of the night.
The band's epileptic dancing, performed to a collage of distorted space-age synth and hardcore-informed electro, drove the 700-person crowd into fits on songs like "Progress" and "We Vibrate, We Do."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
joani frankel
posted 3/30/09 @ 11:04 AM EST
I was having fun reading this article until I saw the term epileptic used to describe the band's dancing. I am disappointed in the DO for allowing such a word to be used as it demeans those inflicted with epilepsy. (Continued…)
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