LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: RDGLDGRN, JARV in Boston, MA (03.26.26)
There was a wild energy in the air before even setting foot inside Brighton Music Hall on March 26th. Pulling up to the venue, the night took an unexpected turn—flashing lights, a heavy police presence, even a news van parked nearby following a shooting in the area just hours before. It was the kind of scene that gives you pause. But once inside, that tension gave way to something entirely different: a packed room ready to let loose. And RDGLDGRN (pronounced Red Gold Green) and JARV certainly delivered.
RDGLDGRN proved, once again, why they’ve built such a loyal following over the years. I have been a big fan of this group since the fall of 2014 when their hit single “I Love Lamp” was featured in the Foo Fighters “Sonic Highway” documentary. RDGLDGRN was featured as a great representation of the DC area “go-go” band sound. Dave Grohl had been asked to play drums for them on this particular track, and ended up playing drums on the whole album (which I’m sure was a huge boost for the group). They’ve since acquired a great touring drummer (Snaxx), toured all around the country playing at many festivals and making a name for themselves with their unique mix of sounds. They’ve amassed quite a fan base, from the Pharrell Williams co-produced singles to video game placements like Madden NFL 21 and Madden NFL 24, to grinding it out on tours with the likes of 311, Dirty Heads, and Tropidelic – even being included on few 311 Cruises (yes, those are a thing). They’re a band that thrives in the live setting, where the edges are a little rough and the energy is doing most of the talking.
Kicking things off with “Runnin Away,” the DC trio wasted zero time setting the tone. Their signature blend of go-go, funk, alt-rock, and hip-hop hit hard right out of the gate, and for the next ~50 minutes, it was just one continuous wave of energy.
Tracks like “Bounce,” “Doing the Most,” and “Lootin In London” stood out as full-on crowd movers—tight, punchy, and built for a room like Brighton. You could feel how road-tested these songs are; this is a band that’s put in serious miles, whether opening for acts like 311 or Dirty Heads, or popping up at festivals across the country.
For me, it all still traces back to hearing “I Love Lamp” on Foo Fighters Sonic Highways—that moment where Dave Grohl jumped in and helped put these guys on a bigger map. And over a decade later, that song still hits like a centerpiece.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an RDGLDGRN show without a little chaos.
Right before “I Love Lamp,” the band launched into a hilariously unexpected medley of “Banana Boat (Day-O)” into “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”—pure goofball energy that somehow worked perfectly. Then, about a minute into “I Love Lamp,” everything screeched to a halt due to a mic issue. No panic, no awkwardness—just a quick reset, and then right back into it, with the crowd louder than ever, singing every word like nothing happened.
That’s kind of the magic with this band: nothing feels overly polished, but they’re always ready to let loose and throw down.
They closed their set with a real finale with “A Million Fans”, singer King Green splitting the room into East Side vs. West Side, Green jumping off the stage and turning the crowd into part of the show. It was participatory, chaotic, and exactly what you want in a room that size.
After RDGLDGRN lit the fuse, JARV came in and kept things just as lively—but in a totally different lane.
I wasn’t deeply familiar going in, but that didn’t matter. JARV’s set leaned hard into personality—equal parts rapper, DJ, guitarist, and comedian. There’s a looseness to what he does that makes it feel less like a performance and more like a hang.
Tracks like “Lessdoodiss,” “Escargot,” “Slack-Jaw,” and “Focus” were full of quick-witted bars, self-deprecating humor, and constant crowd interaction. Call-and-response moments were everywhere, and he had no problem bouncing between setups—one second behind the decks, the next with a guitar, then back to rapping like it was all second nature.
It’s not always easy to follow a band like RDGLDGRN, especially when the crowd is already fired up, but JARV didn’t just hold his own—he flipped the energy into something more offbeat and unpredictable.
And pairing them with JARV never felt one-note—just constant motion, humor, and connection.
All around, a memorable show—and a reminder that sometimes the best nights start with a little uncertainty and end with a room full of strangers singing together.
Photos – RDGLDGRN, JARV at Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA on March 26th:
