Music

Ra Ra Riot showcase The Orchard in Toronto

by Melody Lau

By the looks of the packed Mod Club by the time Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot took the stage, this secret show wasn’t so secret after all.

Following their opening slot for the Tegan & Sara, City and Colour and Wintersleep show at the Molson Amphitheatre this past weekend, the six-piece band treated Toronto to an extra show on a Monday night to an attentive, enthusiastic audience as opposed to C&C fans curiously filing in.

The band’s excited energy became immediately infectious throughout the venue with lead singer Wesley Miles and violinist Rebecca Zeller jumping and dancing around just as much as the crowd. Their signature brand of Vampire Weekend-esque chamber pop proved triumphant live with Miles’ charismatic charm and the flourishing parts of string section Zeller and cellist/singer Alexandra Lawn.

A mixed bag of songs were played, varying from material from The Rhumb Line’s swinging anthem “Dying is Fine” to new tracks from their recently-released second LP The Orchard.

As the set ended Miles high-fived everyone in the front row and it’s that kind of celebratory, fun behavior that makes a Ra Ra Riot show a party in itself worthy of everyone’s eyes and ears. Here’s a virtual high five to you, Ra Ra Riot.

Photos by Adrian Vieni, AUX TV