Review: Ra Ra Riot launches laid-back smart rock assault on Asheville

Here you go:

By Jonathan Rich

The Orange Peel was the place to be Wednesday night as high-energy indie rockers Ra Ra Riot led a laid-back assault on Asheville with the help of inspiring opening act the Givers.

Kicking off their hour-plus set with “St. Peter’s Day Festival” and moving through crowd favorites “Oh La,” “Can You Tell” and “Run My Mouth” while sprinkling in soon-to-be hits “Shadowcasting,” “Do You Remember” and “Foolish” from the recent release “The Orchard,” the college friends from Syracuse University did not disappoint.

While the crowd was mostly made up of arty, cardigan wearing types who would have just as easily fit in at a Weezer show, everyone seemed to jump for joy when toe-tapers such as “Boy” and “You and I Know” built to a kinetic frenzy. Several girls and guys were seen getting loose with dance moves that were smarter than back-to-back episodes of Jeopardy.

Ra Ra Riot may play an eclectic brand of intellectual rock, but Wednesday night all in attendance had a good time regardless of their education. If you missed the show, be sure not to make that same mistake the next time they come to town. You’ll have a great time and maybe even learn something.

Jonathan Rich is a freelance writer based in Brevard. He has a harmless crush on the cellist and violinist from Ra Ra Riot, but then so does just about everyone who has seen them live.