Ra Ra Riot kicked off their 4-night run, Phantogram kicked off a tour (Bowery Ballroom pics, video & setlist)

September 22, 2010

Ra Ra Riot

Syracuse, N.Y., band Ra Ra Riot borrowed elements from the Cure, the Smiths and New Order — though much less morose — and molded them into a string-filled sound that embodied indie rock at its best. Their upbeat energy lifted the packed all-ages crowd at the Nike Sportswear Stage. Beats were propelled by bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist Milo Bonacci and drummer Gabriel Duquette, but it was the engaging vocals of singer Wes Miles that moved this group. His emotive, high voice drew the crowd closer, and his ever thankful politeness — he thanked the crowd numerous times throughout the hour-long set — made him a fit for a young crowd he called “very attentive.”…

The group played copiously from its two albums, “The Rhumb Line” and the just-released “The Orchard.” Their indie pop sound shined on tunes like “Boy,” “Shadowcasting” and the uber-catchy “Too Dramatic.” Their sound was less shoegazing indie and more celebratory pop, making for a strong start to the festival. Heck, some tunes would have even fit neatly into a Molly Ringwald-John Hughes movie.

New York synth-dance electro duo Phantogram proved a worthy warmup. Sarah Barthel’s sweet voice floated over ethereal ’80s and ’90s style synth pop as guitarist Josh Carter used heavy effects to create solid grooves and a nightclub vibe. -[The Oregonian]

The above review comes from a recent Portland, Oregon show that was part of Music Fest NW, where Ra Ra Riot also shared a bill with Phantogram, like they did last night at Bowery Ballroom (9/21).

Last night was also Ra Ra Riot’s first of four NYC shows and one of two sold-out shows at Bowery Ballroom (they play there again tonight with Lower Dens). On Thursday, RRR head over the river to Music Hall of Williamsburg for a pair of shows, with tickets to the first night (on Thursday 9/23 with North Highlands & We Barbarians) still available, though the second night (9/24) is sold out. After NYC, Ra Ra heads out on a bigger tour with more assorted openers.

The show was a tour kick-off for Phantogram who hit Rochester tonight and eventually make their way back to NYC for an October 29th show at Music Hall of Williamsburg with their tour-mate Josiah Wolf (of Why?). Tickets for the Brooklyn show are still on sale. Updated dates below.

More pictures from Bowery Ballroom, the headliner’s setlist, and some videos from the show, with the dates, below…

Phantogram

Ra Ra Riot

Phantogram at Bowery Ballroom 9/21/10 “Mouthful of Diamonds”

Phantogram @ Bowery Ballroom 9/21/10

Ra Ra Riot at Bowery Ballroom 9/21/10 BOY

Can You Tell Live – Ra Ra Riot @ the Bowery Ballroom NYC Sept 2010

Too Too Fast – Ra Ra Riot – Bowery Ballroom September 2010 NYC

Phantogram – 2010 Tour Dates
September:
22 Boston MA Paradise
23 Rochester, NY Bug Jar
24 Columbus, OH The Basement #
25 Cincinnati, OH Midpoint Music Festival #
26 Louisville, KY Zanzabar #
28 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle #
29 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn #
30 Tallahassee, FL Club Downunder #
October:
1 Orlando , FL Backbooth #
2 Miami, FL Electric Pickle #
4 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon #
5 Austin, TX Mohawk #
6 Dallas, TX The Loft #
8 Phoenix, AZ Sanctum #
9 San Diego, CA Casbah #
10 Los Angeles, CA Filter’s Culture Collide Festival #
11 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp #
13 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios #
14 Seattle, WA Neumo’s #
16 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island
18 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court #
19 Denver, CO Bluebird Theatre #
21 Iowa City, IA The Blue Moose #
22 Minneapolis, MN Fineline #
23 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon #
24 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall #
25 Akron, OH Musica #
26 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small #
28 Washington, DC Black Cat #
29 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg #
30 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s #
# with Josiah Wolf (of Why?)