Passion Pit plays packed, sweaty show at The Ritz

All photos by Kevin Norris

Days after playing for millions of viewers on Saturday Night Live, Passion Pit rolled into Raleigh to play a sold out show at The Ritz (which has returned to the name after being called the Disco Rodeo for many years).

The band stormed the stage and immediately launched into "Talk a Walk," the first single from their new album Gossamer. They didn't slow down and followed it with the barn burner "The Reeling."

As the set rolled on the band played tracks from each of their releases including two songs, "I've Got Your Number" and "Better Things," from their debut EP Chunk of Change.

Throughout the night, the crowd belted the lyrics out to every song which caused a big smile to appear on frontman Michael Angelakos. He noted during the set that he thinks that the crowd might be the loudest one they've ever played for.

The crowd's boisterous tendencies peaked at the end of the set as the band rocked the catchy "Sleepyhead" followed by a two-song encore of "Moth's Wings" and "Little Secrets."

With a ferocious stage presence and an incredible sense for big, infectious melodies, Angelakos has himself and the band poised to become the next "indie" band to outgrow clubs. Next time they come through, they could be at one of the area's 5,000-seat amphitheaters.

The energetic Los Angeles band Youngblood Hawke played before Passion Pit and entertained the crowd with their how high energy dance pop. The short set included some of the band's most popular tunes, "We Come Running" and "Forever."

Passion Pit set list
Take a Walk
The Reeling
Let Your Love Grow Tall
I've Got Your Number
Carried Away
Better Things
Eyes as Candles
Constant Conversations
To Kingdom Come
It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy
Mirrored Sea
Love is Greed
I'll Be Alright
Sleepyhead
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Moth's Wings
Little Secrets