Hurray for the Riff Raff

this band has no weak links and is what music should be, a celebration of talent and style and substance. maybe next time they can play upstairs and join the ranks od iggy pop, Bauhaus, the hoodoo gurus, the jesus and mary chain, cheap trick, echo and the bunnymen and so many others crushed it in detroits most intimate setting. I cant promise Sixto Rodriguez but I will be there on alynda and crew's triumphant return. ps what can a man with a gun really do to cure the ills of this world?

Hurray for the Riff Raff I went to see my favorite band tonight: Hurray for the Riff Raff. Fantastic! I haven't been to a concert in a long time. The concert venue was an old Synagogue now sporting the venue moniker: 6th & I, which just also happens to be the street intersection outside its front door in the District of Columbia. General admission: I figured there would be an unruly mob there and I would be the oldest and with the most gray hair. None of this was true. I walked in, noticed that while the pews were filling up, the two rows of folding chairs in the front were mostly empty. I walked up to the front row and sat down facing the microphone closest to the edge of the stage. The opening band started promptly at 8:00pm. They were okay but I was unfamiliar with them and their music. They were earnest, but loud, and It was difficult for me to understand any of the lyrics. They were a three-piece band: bass, guitarist-singer, and drummer. The drummer was excellent. They played for 45 minutes. Hurray for the Riff Raff started promptly at 9:01pm. I was sitting less than ten feet from the band's leader, Alynda Lee Segarra. She is a fantastic singer-songwriter and tonight's performance reaffirmed my impression that she is a humble and good person. Her performance was inspiring; she oozes music and joy and it was obvious she has found her purpose in life. Her performance, "thank yous", and other between-song comments were heartfelt and created a personal connection between the band and the audience. HFTRR is a band that sounds pretty much the same live or recorded. I like this fact. They are real. This was a perfect night and one I will not forget. I am so glad I ventured out to bird watch tonight because I found a lovely song bird.

This was first time to Teragram - easy to find, good security and funky decor with a nice cafe/bar inside and free water dispenser. This was second time to see HFRR - Alynda Segarra was on fire and she and her band delivered a great concert. Surprise was the opener Making Movies - great sound, talented musicians. Loved the diversity of the audience, high participation level and enthusiasm for the causes mentioned in song and on microphone.

Easily one of the best live shows I've ever seen. The best if you don't count performers whose songs I already know by heart. Lead singer/songwriter Alynda Segurra has a smoky voice that recalls Patti Smith by way of Miley Cyrus (and before you misconstrue my point, if you haven't witnessed one of Miley's live country/folk song stylings go check it out on youtube to see what I'm talking about). She's a Puerto Rican-American from the Bronx who left home at 17 to hop trains and meet the country on her own terms, ended up in New Orleans belting country-folk Americana originals from deep in her soul by the time she was in her 20s, and at 30 has rediscovered her NuYorican roots and broadened her sound and style to include elements of feminist-powered rock, lefty punk activism, a hint of multilingual globalism, all while holding onto those country-blues inflected roots. She's a dynamic performer with a searingly tight band of musicians who not only reproduce their studio sounds live, but improve on them in many powerful ways. A must.

They are a welcome addition to the music scene. Each song they play is unique. They have good interactions with the audience. They are friendly, but never indulgent.

Upfront, poetic, talented Alynda ...her band, the best I've heard...the venue, great sound system. Each and every band members talent could be heard individually and together. A must see again and again..

The concert was amazing. It's only average because they only played for one hour, including encore.

Fab experience, cute venue and great bands. Rock support act were fantastic and played a good set

Hurray for the Riff Raff put on a great live show - Alynda is adorable!

This was an amazing show. One of the best I've been to in a long time. Honestly spiritual at times.

The venue was fantastic. Great seats, great vibe, the price was a steal. The group played most of their favorites, and some I hadn't heard. My kids turned me on to this band several year ago, so I knew most of their selections. I was startled by how beautiful and captivating Alynda's vocals were live. The musicianship was excellent. The upright bass added a soulfull backnote. Having heard authentic cajun music in back waters of Texas and Lousianna, I loved hearing that simultaneously joyous and mornful fiddle hit all the right notes. For me I could have listened another hour, the music was so easy on my ears. I have a feeling this was a once in life time moment for the band. They aren't going to stay a "best kept secret" for long, with that kind of talent.

Horrible sound. WAAAY overcooked for the venue. Did they not do a sound check? Was Riff Raff touring too long with the horrible opening act? They were terrible. Could hardly understand her intro words and could not understand lyrics with only her, guitar, and a microphone. I LOVE-LOVE Hurray for the Riff Raff. But I left this one early. So sad. Royal Bummer. Sixth and I has lots of natural reverb and is the exactly wrong acoustics for an overcooked PA.

Always great to see Alynda Lee and the gang. New songs as great as the early ones. Also enjoyed energy of opener Benjamin Booker.

ALynda has a great voice and her song writing blends so well with the band's music. Violin follows every nuance of the music Best Americana band to come out in quite a while. Move over Gillian Welch.