A band`s performance very much hinges on the vitality of a crowd. If a crowd just isn`t into a show, the band`s performance subsequently suffers.
I don`t need to say this just happened to Ra Ra Riot Thursday night at Cat`s Cradle, but there were definitely moments when the crowd`s lack of enthusiasm translated on stage.
This doesn`t necessarily imply the band failed to impress, in fact, their musicianship was a bright point of the eve and kept the show`s head above water. But there were times when the set just seemed to go through the motions, counting down the proceedings until they could step off stage.
Factored in with their unique instrumentation - an electric violin and cello - the band possessed a smattering of songs that got the otherwise lethargic crowd moving; unfortunately one of those songs, "Can You Discover?," was that of the band Discovery; an indie electronic band formed of Ra Ra Riot frontman Wes Miles and Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij. Regardless of the sources, those few songs got things rocking in the Birthplace and made me proud of the raucous dancers we suffer in this town.
I see that Ra Ra Riot is even a reasonably new act, thus many of their "fans" outside of their internal province of New York will respond best to the "hits" than the remainder of the band`s catalog. But this is a set that needs to be heard because quite frankly they`re very good. It`s just disappointing to see a packed house at Cat`s Cradle stand solemnly while what`s supposed to be a high-energy dance band tries to run off the audience`s energy - or lack there of.
Maybe the folks lining the walls at the Cradle were too cool for schooling and didn`t need to ornament us all with their dance moves. Yeah, that must be it.
Hopefully the future time Ra Ra Riot plays in presence of a Triangle crowd, we`ll show them we really value their showmanship and aren`t afraid to get down a little. Or we can hardly stand around with our arms crossed again.
NOTE: I noticed you, long-bearded man, and I prize that you danced from first to finish! That is how it`s done.
Music.MyNC`s Jake Seaton was linked by photographer
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