Atari Teenage Riot Causes a Wild Frenzy at Webster Hall
A riot went on at Gramercy Theatre last Friday night. What started as a moderately small group of people during opening artist Otto Von Schirach's set turned into a wild, jumping, yelling, fist-raising crowd by the time Atari Teenage Riot took command of the stage.
Opening artist, Otto Von Schirach, an industrial dance music group, put on quite an odd show themselves. They featured one masked male that screamed into the microphone, producing strange and interesting sound effects while he fiddled with the sound table decks and equipment. The music and lights created a rave-like atmosphere, which got the crowd dancing. The other two members, another costumed male and female, danced with incredible enduring energy all over and around the stage. The girl, at one point, stood still in alternating odd positions while holding out a blow-up pink flamingo towards the audience.
It's hard to categorize Atari Teenage Riot's style of music, and their ambiguous self-label of Digital Hardcore doesn't help. But with influences such as Bikini Kill and Rage Against The Machine, their music carries powerful activist messages about society, politics, and government. The now three-piece band is just recovering from a long absence triggered by a death of a former band member, but they are still strong as ever. They started off with "Activate", screaming into the mics, "Music is a weapon!" and repeating "Activate!" The audience responded wildly, screaming along with the band and jumping around. With all the dynamic energy between the band members, the crowd, and the music, it was impossible not to get energized by their hard-hitting music and striking stage presence. The pinnacle of the night was during the song "Black Flags" off their latest album, "Is This Hyperreal?" The band directly asked the crowd, "Black flags!! Are you ready to testify? You've got 2 seconds! Are you ready to testify?" The intense strobe and laser lights only added to the absolutely hair-raising sense of emotional awakening the music was stirring in everybody present. There was no being a passive observer here. The crowd reacted with affirming yells and raised fists in solidarity.
With sounds that could indeed start a riot, Atari Teenage Riot lived up to their name. If they ever come back to New York, do yourself a favor and go see them. Whether it's by their powerful messages, their commanding stage presence, or their excellent musicianship, you'll be greatly inspired and impressed.
Mackenzie Taylor is a contributing writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com
