Ra Ra Riot performed last Friday night at the Larimer Lounge in the second week of its tour with Jeffery Lewis, the Jitters and The Cribs. Band members Milo Bonacci, Alexandra Lawn, Wesley Miles, John Pike, Mathieu Santos, Cameron Wisch and Rebecca Zeller pulled off a strong show as the second performers of the night.

The band combines strong percussion featuring drums, tambourines and maracas along with a unique assortment of string instruments. A violin and cello are also featured with guitars, bass and a keyboard. This makes for an interesting array of melodies that have a clean, fresh sound reminiscent of the Shout Out Louds.

The band’s set included short, fast-paced songs for the most part, and seemed shorter than the hour it lasted. Many of the band’s lyrics relate to death and dying, but in a sentimental rather than downtrodden way.

These lyrics most likely refer to the sudden death of John Pike, the former drummer and lyricist of Ra Ra Riot who passed away last May. Though pensive, the songs were not depressing and contributed to the depth while lending credibility to the performance.

The six members of the band were in constant motion once they started playing, an impressive feat considering the small size of the stage. They interacted with one another more than the audience, but it was still enjoyable to watch. The members maintained a high energy throughout most of the show, which kept the audience enthusiastic. The age of the crowd was somewhat unexpected given the nature of the music. It ranged from early twenties to early forties. Most people looked to be thirty-somethings, though this might also be because The Cribs were headlining.

The band was happy to be coming through Denver, as repeated numerous times by the lead vocalist Wesley Miles. Though not signed with a label, Ra Ra Riot has a large fan base and tours widely throughout the United States.

They will be returning to the Larimer this June with The Little Ones, as well as passing through Colorado Springs this May. Be sure to check them out at one of these upcoming shows. Ra Ra Riot’s live performance is just too good to be missed.