Syracuse (NY) band Ra Ra Riot delivered plenty of energy and put the rock back into indie rock as it wowed a packed and receptive audience at Orlando's The Social on Tuesday evening.

Bespectacled bassist Mathieu Santos declared the band's intent from the very first track, using the full extent of the tiny, cramped stage during a lively rendition of "Massachusetts" while sharing vocals with cellist Alexandra Lawn.

With his soulful voice and powerful vocal range, frontman and physics graduate Wes Miles assumed vocals for the remainder of the hour-long set, with the exception of a brief but welcome interval when enchantress Lawn, moodily and sensually crooning the sombre, emotional, love-letter lyrics to “You and I Know,” held the center of the stage and most of the rapt audience attention.