When I found out that Ra Ra Riot and friends were playing at Modified Arts, I was even more excited to attend the show. Modified is a unique venue in downtown Phoenix, half art gallery and half performance space, charged with a level of electricity much larger than its intimate size. Colorful personalities usher you into the local-art filled venue, which could easily be someone’s converted living quarters. It feels as though it’s your local hangout, even if it’s your first time stepping foot inside.
Modified Arts is a venue where you get there early and stand at the very edge of the stage, which is covered with worn, patterned rugs and is only slightly elevated. There are no security guards, bouncers, or visible entourage between you and the artists. I could have reached out and touched any of the performers during the night (in fact, at one point during the show, a member of Ra Ra Riot nearly struck me with her violin bow). Less than a foot separates the stage and audience, who is allowed to crowd up to the edge without any interference, making for a distinctive, informal environment.
I arrived early to catch the opening act, The Morning Benders, and was mightily rewarded for my punctuality. At once they felt like a band you could catch on the college quad - fresh and engaging - and yet they also displayed a complex, reflective tone that usually accompanies a band with less youthful visages. Lead vocalist, Chris Chu, radiated an understated charisma while belting out fiercely earnest and driving lyrics. Solid song-writing is backed by infectious melodies that left us tapping our feet and bobbing our heads. Chu alternately stomped and swayed on stage, at one point accidentally backing into the mike stand and knocking it to the floor. Without missing a beat, he retrieved it at the end of the song and good-naturedly stated “This thing has been giving me trouble all night,” eliciting a collective nod of understanding from the audience (we had endured some sound issues; admittedly part of the charm of the venue are the technical kinks that are ironed out with each act). Mid-way through the set, he proposed that we lend our vocals to their next song, instructing us to add our chorus of “Yeah, yeah, yeah” when they signaled. Not an easy feat, they managed to charm us all into participating in the sing-along. A stage-shaking crescendo of pounding bass-lines and feet accompanied the final song of their set, “Waiting for a War.”
Next up were Chicago natives, Walter Meego, who ushered us into their set with dimmed lights and an ominous swelling of synth. Guitars and additional sound effects leapt in to provide a powerful backbeat that thrust us into a futuristic place: one-part space journey, one-part hip, indie dance-floor. Synth/beat-master Colin Yarck transfixed the room by channeling the thumping beats with his entire body. Vocalist Justin Sconza crooned evocative lyrics over the cascade of sound, a combination that simultaneously lulled and energized. Seamless transitions between songs resulted in an all-encompassing cocoon of synth-guitar-drumbeat-vocal rhythm that gripped and didn’t let go until the three musicians left the stage.
Headliners Ra Ra Riot were greeted warmly and launched into an upbeat, energized set. After a rousing intro, vocalist Wes Miles graciously thanked the attendees for coming out on a Monday night, and noted that there were about 70 more people at the show than there had been the last time the band played at Modified. Miles has a natural stage presence and the physicality of his performance further endeared him to the audience. Catchy melodies and the many overlapping instruments, each played with a raw, skilled passion, perfectly complemented Miles vocals.
The band’s camaraderie was palpable - at one point Miles accidentally backed into violinist Rebecca Zeller. Unfazed, the two shared a broad grin, while continuing with the performance. The final song took the audience along for the ride, sending us clapping, swaying, cheering through the climax, when Miles triumphantly jumped onto the drum-set and back down onto the small, carpeted stage. With impeccable timing, positive energy and contagious enthusiasm from all band mates, Ra Ra Riot is clearly a group that will continue to make fans from whoever witnesses one of their inspiring performances.
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
