Absolutely Show-Stopping

by Victoria Wasylak

Photo Courtesy of Ra Ra Riot's Facebook Page

For Ra Ra Riot, it’s the year of absolutely everything. From their confirmed dates at Austin City Limits, one of the “big ones” of festival season, to their North American tour dates after the release of Need Your Light, the Syracuse outfit has embarked on quite the colorful gradient road in 2016. Their date at the House of Blues this Sunday is no exception to their bursting year, where they’ll prime the audience with tunes that are equal parts suave and confectionary.

Their pop exudes a freshness that can only equate to the first days of spring after a harsh New England winter, although they dabble in frenetic funk on songs like “Bouncy Castle.” Their 2016 accolades are the result of ten years’ worth of post-college hustle.

"It has been 10 years since Ra Ra Riot came together at Syracuse University and the band has been growing ever since,” said manager Kristine Acosta. “Over the course of four albums, they have headlined hundreds of shows, toured with bands such as Death Cab For Cutie, The Shins, Passion Pit and The Postal Service, and performed at major music festivals including Coachella and Lollapalooza.”

Acosta – much like many fans – is overjoyed at the number s major venues that the pop group has been able to land gigs at some of the country’s best rock venues for their fall North American tour as a part of Young The Giant’s “Home of the Strange Tour.”

“After playing an exhilarating set on the main stage at Outside Lands this summer, they are performing at ACL for the first time this fall. They just kicked off their North American tour with Young The Giant where they will be playing venues like Radio City Music Hall and The Greek Theatre.”

Just like their opener “Water” on Need Your Love, Ra Ra Riot promises to provide a refreshing splash – or thorough dousing – of their blithe pop.

Ra Ra Riot opens for Young The Giant at the House of Blues this Sunday, September 18. Tickets available here.