Ra Ra Riot @ Bar Le Ritz PDB

Presented by Blue Skies Turn Black

"Oh just a melody, yeah that's how to please me" is a line from "Suckers" off Ra Ra Riot's new album Need Your Light, and well, they gave us much more than just a melody performing at Montréal's Bar Le Ritz PDB on Friday, April 15th. Filling the venue with their distinct synth-pop, string-infused sound, Ra Ra Riot had Le Ritz bursting with energy right from the opening song, "Too Too Too Fast", never letting the dance party stop throughout their hour-long set. Even bass player Mathieu Santos showed off his moves with some of the craziest leg manoeuvres I have ever seen.

The band played a good mix of new and old songs, and their set included a toned down acoustic version of "Bad Times", which featured lead singer Wes Miles and his acoustic guitar, eventually picking up in the second half of the song with the rest of the band joining in. Crowd favourites included their current single "Water", "Beta Love", and "Bouncy Castle" (which you could swear came right off an Electric Light Orchestra album). Wes didn't have much to say between songs besides some quick "thank yous", and of course the obligatory "this is our greatest Montréal show yet". With no time to waste at the end of their show, they played right into their encore that included "Dying is Fine" and "Need Your Light". 

Ra Ra Riot wrapped up their North American "Need Your Light" tour in Geneva, New York the following night. The band will be on the road again soon, returning to Canada this summer to play Field Trip in Toronto and the Pemberton Music Festival in Pemberton, BC. 

--Kerri Delaney