Ra Ra Riot perform at MusicfestNW 2010

I first fell in love with Ra Ra Riot after hearing their hit song, "Can you tell?" (watch the YouTube video and tell me you're not swooning), and then continued to love their other songs. They came to Portland last night to play MusicfestNW 2010, and I love them even more after seeing them live:

"Fresh from playing Seattle’s Bumbershoot last weekend, Ra Ra Riot has only played a handful of shows since the release of their second, full-length album The Orchard weeks ago. Playing a mix of their much loved hits like “Oh, La” and “St. Peter’s Day Festival” alongside new songs, which are rapidly gaining popularity, the six-member band kept the energy high with their infectious poppiness and enthusiastic stage presence. Lead singer Wes Miles ran back and forth from keyboard to the centered main mic as bassist Mathieu Santos jumped backwards one-legged around the stage.

Their newest hit “Boy” seemed to be the best received of the night with its toe-tap-inspiring beats and classic Ra Ra Riot upbeat pop sound while showcasing the cello and violin along with the keyboard, drums, bass and guitar. While Miles called out in his signature “O-ohhh,” amplifying throughout the songs, cellist Alexandra Lawn joined in on the vocals, adding her own distinct sound to the songs. Gabe Duquette beat the drums so hard throughout the set that Miles announced, “Gabe’s bass drum beater just broke,” adding, “….oh! It’s not broken anymore!” as Duquette thumped the drum. “That’s good because it probably would’ve ruined the night… just kidding!” he said with a charming smile."

Read the rest of the article, also covering Phantogram and Washed Out, who shared the stage, and catch other MFNW goings-on on Oregon Music News.

As I said, I already loved Ra Ra Riot but fell even more in love with them after their performance: Wes' voice, Alexandra's cello, Mathieu's one-legged jumping around the stage and reminiscence to "McLovin.'" Wonderful.

It got me thinking, though, after their encore: Encores are a bonus; they're not required. But they've come to be expected. I wonder what would happen if a band didn't come back out for an encore. I feel like it wouldn't even be an option.

It has become a necessary obligation: the fans would be devastated (and, more likely, pissed) that they would probably disown the band. I feel like it has even become a standard to play multiple encore songs; that even just one extra, "bonus," song might seem like a "rip-off" to some...

I wonder if that has ever happened! If a band has ever not performed an encore when their screaming fans are begging for one... It hasn't at any of the concerts I've been to, but surely it has happened, right?