[ATTENDED: April 16, 2018] Hurray for the Riff Raff
I knew of Hurray for the Riff Raff (I love the band name) from a couple of songs, but it wasn’t until their most recent release that I learned that lead singer (and really the constant of the band) Alynda Segarra was not only Puerto Rican (she calls herself Nuyorican) but was active in her commitment to Latino causes.
This commitment is evident on their new album The Navigator which explores many aspects of Puerto Rican culture and music, but keeps it wrapped in a rocking New York vibe. Segarra is also a striong feminist, writing songs for an about women. Her stage presence is a striking combination of “don’t fuck with me” and “I’m going to have a good time.”
Segarra is an excellent front woman. She commands a room and gets everyone involved in her songs. She told empowering and infuriating stories to introduce the songs which made them even more engaging.
Most of the set came from their new album The Navigator which was great because I love the diversity of the disc. There were a couple of songs in the middle of the set (which turned out to be older songs I think) that were a little flat musically, but the rest of the set was dynamite.
The set opened string with “The Navigator” a song with lots of musical flair and a tango feeling. It was a great introduction to Segarra’s powerful voice.
“Life to Save” is a one of those simpler songs that doesn’t grab me as much as the others, but it was followed by the excellent “Nothing’s Gonna Change That Girl.” It was the engagement between songs that really connected her with me, dedicating this song to “the divine feminine energy that can’t be destroyed.”
It was followed by the absolutely rocking and empowering “Hungry Ghost.”
Segarra has a real Patti Smith vibe as she sang in that deep resonant voice (wearing a “power to the People” shirt, as well).
It was when the songs got more personal and political that I felt the show really soared. “Rican Beach” is a great song with very pointed lyrics and a slinky disco beat. I’ve realized that I don’t like the HFTRR songs that are straight ahead rockers as much, I like when she fills them with other elements (like the percussion in this one).
She followed this with a new song “Kids Who’ll Die.” She said it was based on a poem by Langston Hughes (“Kids Who Die”) It was really catchy but it felt wrong to dance or even smile for a song that was this upsetting and powerful lyrically. It was really great the way she reinforced the lyrics, but it was a hard thing to be a part of.
They played an older song “Lake of Fire” from Look Out Mama, which was okay and then “Just the Way You Are” a slower song tht didn’t really excite me. The groove stayed kind of quiet with “Settle.”
Segarra said that she was a runaway for a while as a young girl and she lived in Philly for a while so she has a great fondness for the city.
And just as I thought that they had finished with everything I knew they launched into the ubiquitous (in Philly anyhow) single “Living in the City.” I have heard this song hundreds of times and it never clicked that this was them–it sounds so unlike the rest of their songs. And it was great.
But it was the finale song from Naviagtor P’Alante that really blew me away. I had heard this song on a Tiny Desk and thought it was outstanding, so I was really excited that they played it. She was so passionate about it “do your best, and fuck the rest. Be something!” I wanted the audience to sing along for hours.
She ended the set with a cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” It’s one of my least favorite Springsteen songs (mostly that synth sound drives me nuts) but their version was good–they stripped some of that sappy synth away and rocked it out. It was then that I realized that Segarra also has a bit of Springsteen swagger in her as well.
I have seen read that Waxahatchee and HFTRR had been alternating headliner and opener (this was a co-headlining tour). I was there for Waxahatchee, so I was glad they went on last (and presumably played a little longer?) I might not have been as into staying for HFTRR is Waxahatchee went on first. And I glad I saw them. They put on a terrific show.
- The Navigator
- Life To Save
- Nothing’s Gonna Change That Girl
- Hungry Ghost
- Rican Beach
- Kids Who’ll Die**
- Lake of Fire*
- Just the Way You Are**
- Settle
- Living in the City
- Pa’lante
- Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen cover)
*from Look Out Mama
**new (based on a Langston Hughes poem)
Would be a pleasure to see them live.