Free at Noon Flashback: RFA make a strong case for getting to XPNFest as early as possible

RFA | photo by Emily DeHart for WXPN

There are different kinds of tired. There’s the defeated kind, the bored kind, the relaxed kind, etc. In between songs at their Free at Noon set, RFA were a special kind of tired. They were the kind of tired that you are when you’ve been doing a lot of something you love. Yet, despite their apparent weariness and immense sweat, the Philly garage rockers threw themselves into each song, expending more energy on each one than they had on the previous. Their playing seemed to energize them, and it definitely energized the crowd.

Instead of starting off with something people know, RFA took a risk; The first four songs of their set were all new. They have yet to be recorded and are far from being released. No matter their release status though, the crowd went wild for them. People were jumping, thrashing, cheering, and just standing in awe. Everything the band did seemed to mesmerize everyone in World Cafe Live. Alec Powel’s ferocious drumming carried the same chaotic energy as Animal from The Muppets, but was somehow even more impressive. His drumming was so intense that his kick pedal broke.

Throughout the set, whether songs were new or years old, Dan Cousart’s vocals and guitar playing led the charge triumphantly. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand. During “Suzie Lee” he easily got everyone to clap along and eventually had the whole room singing along too. “Farewell” and “Just Don’t Turn the Lights On” were both highlights, which is saying something considering how much of a highlight the whole set was.

Today’s set was just a taste of what’s to come next week at XPoNential Music Festival. RFA is set to perform at noon on Sunday, July 28th at Wiggins Park. Today’s show proved that the band sounds fantastic at noon, so festival goers have nothing to fear next week. If anything, everyone should make sure to get to Wiggins Park bright and early. RFA are worth it.

Find tickets and more information about XPoNential Music Festival here. Check out photos from RFA’s Free at Noon set below.