Concert Review: Run River North Serve Positive Punk-Pop
If there was one message Alex Hwang wanted every member of the crowd to receive is that each of them is amazing. While most songs sing to either inviting or ignoring the haters, Run River North create music asking its listeners to analyze why they let the way others hate them affect how they love themselves. Think about it!
A hater can call you every name, invent every storyline, and do it publicly so that everyone can watch, but, despite all that targeted meanness, it only becomes personal when you take their actions and use it to measure your being. If you let yourself become enraged or defined by their cruelty then “a hater” succeeds achieving power over you; making themselves strangely apart of your psyche. Thus, Run River North’s songs such as, “Rearview,” “Hands Up,” and “Casina” felt like sonic sage to clear away how others’ hate becomes you’re excuse to self-loath.
RUN RIVER NORTH – 40G (Lyric Video)
Alex Hwang is one of the kindest, most approachable human beings ever. He sees the audience as if we all are his family and we came to his cookout. The way he ribs the crowd and self-deprecates himself it the same type of dynamic people share with their friends, except we were a bunch of strangers gathered at Mercury Lounge. Still, this dynamic was both genuine and vital in achieving his goal of an hour long self-empowerment session, which is how I would define his concert. Run River North is a show to feel exuberant, energized, and walk away laughing as much as you do dancing.
RRN – Casina (Official Music Video)
From representing and empowering the Asian community to Hwang taking off his shirt and head-banging a tambourine, Run River North exemplified that self-love makes you boldly fun. At times, self-love is portrayed as silent and sappy, but this band and its audience were like a bunch of kids in a playground. Thankfully, Hwang’s voice feels clear and purposeful, while their punk pop blends come off like succinct orders to be happy despite any “hatorade.” For More Information On Run River North Click Here.
