RA RA RIOT AT 9:30 CLUB
BY EJ JOLLY2024 is a year of new firsts for Ra Ra Riot. Their D.C. show was not only their first since the pandemic, but also their first time headlining in nearly five years. The Redivivus tour is both a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their first album The Rhumb Line, and the release of their first new song since 2019's Superbloom.
Frontman Wes Miles perfectly captured the mood, saying, "It all comes back so fast."
Opening was Los Angeles-based artist Low Hum (Collin Desha). Originally from Hawaii, Desha's influences were evident in his music. While firmly rooted in indie rock, Desha expertly weaves synthesizers, bass and brass lines throughout his music. It feels like sitting at a beach, watching the ocean ebb and flow between strong waves and gentle lapping at the shore.
The Rhumb Line transported the crowd back to the golden age of 2000s indie rock. It's reminiscent of two bands from the same era, Arcade Fire and Los Campesinos, who are also known for classical strings and having a lot of people on stage. After the debut album rerun, Ra Ra Riot moved onto some tunes off their previous albums. They delivered crowd-pleasers like "Beta Love" and even explored some lesser-known gems from Superbloom. A special treat was a song from Discovery, the side project between Miles and Rostam Batmanglij (formerly of Vampire Weekend). The excitement peaked with "The Wish," Ra Ra Riot's brand new collaboration with the acclaimed producer.
t didn't feel like 5 years had even passed. After powering through nearly 15 songs, Miles quipped, "I forgot how exciting and tiring this is!" – a sentiment undoubtedly shared by both the band and the audience, happy to see them again. Don't miss Ra Ra Riot live this July, supporting Vampire Weekend.
