Ra Ra Riot’s last show in Madison was a sold-out gig at the High Noon Saloon during the Forward Music Festival in September of 2009. The band was riding high on the success of the “The Rumb Line" album, a Letterman appearance and the blessing of indie bloggers across the country. Since then the band has released their second album “The Orchard” with help on mixing duties from Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie and Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij.
Ra Ra Riot
We had seen Ra Ra Riot on Daytrotter’s Barnstormer III tour last April as they showcased material off the new album. Ra Ra Riot’s spirited chamber pop is anchored by the sweet tones of cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller creating a unique sound that lead vocalist Wes Miles can pull the reins on. This was the band’s last show of a U.S. tour before heading off to Japan and they were operating smoothly on all cylinders.
The large crowd was feeding Ra Ra Riot’s energy level on stage and the set was clicking into a groove, at least as much as you could with a cellist and violinist in tow. Bassist Mathieu Santos, drummer Ken Bernard and guitartis Milo Bonacci provided the rythym section to the proceedings and the show was incredibly good. By the time the notes of the band’s signature song “Can You Tell” was finished the audience was eating out of their hands and the evening was deemed a success.
Generationals are from New Orleans and sport a stripped down 60’s guitar/keyboard attack that is both intoxicating and addictive at the same time. The first thing you notice is the band’s sound has much more of an edge live than on record. That’s because the two core members, Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, do all the recording and then tour with a supporting band.
Generationals are good for you. See their jangly pop anthems in action on their return to Madison at the Memorial Union Rathskeller on April 30th.
Generationals
Generationals - Ten-Twenty-Ten
