Show Review: Merce Lemon and Hurray For the Riff Raff at Ventura Music Hall

 

words by Emma Hacker & photos by Avery Morgan

In midtown Ventura, a modest concrete building stands. Formerly the site of a bowling alley, it is now one of my favorite places to attend a concert. Ventura Music Hall, with its intimate setting and excellent acoustics, has only been open since March 2022 and has a capacity of 635 people. It has already hosted the likes of Haley Heynderickx, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, tUnE-yArDs, and many, many more. 

 

One of the best parts of the Ventura Music Hall experience is that there’s always street parking! On May 28th, current KCSB-FM Digital Media Coordinator and incoming General Manager Avery Morgan and I felt no need to rush on our way to see Hurray For The Riff Raff (HFTRR) with supporting act Merce Lemon. The two acts embarked on this tour on May 14th, starting in Santa Cruz. 

 

When Avery and I arrived at the hall, we had ample time for a drink and a chat before Avery had to set up her camera, and I had to mentally prepare myself for Lemon’s performance with a full band. 

 

If you haven’t heard of Merce Lemon, she is a true Beacon from the Pittsburgh DIY scene, and her last name really is Lemon! My show on KCSB, back east, is all about highlighting East Coast musicians and scenes, so I’ve been following Merce Lemon for quite some time now. My excitement, coupled with the knowledge of Lemon’s parents’ influence on her music and admiration for Kimya Dawson and the Moldy Peaches, made Lemon’s performance even more meaningful and engaging. 

 

On September 27th of last year, Lemon released her third album, Watch Me Drive Them Dogs Wild, under Darling Recordings. This album, clocking in at just over half an hour, is a captivating fusion of post-rock, Americana, and folk. The prospect of experiencing this unique blend live was a source of great anticipation and excitement. 

 

Merce Lemon soon graced the stage alongside Pat Coyle on drums, Reid Magette on guitar, Ben Brody on bass, and Justin Long on an excitingly electric violin. The crowd, a mix of die-hard fans and curious newcomers, had filled out a bit more at this point, but I was luckily front and center at the barricade. The anticipation was palpable as Lemon and her band prepared to start their set. 

Though it’s hard to pick, the best song of the night might’ve been Lemon’s cover of Bonnie Prince Billy’s “I See A Darkness.” Last year, Lemon recently released a cover of this song with Colin Miller, best known for playing in MJ Lenderman’s live backing band, The Wind. At this concert, though, drummer Pat Coyle accompanied Lemon on vocals. 

 

Lemon closed out with the title track of her new album and quickly positioned herself behind the merch booth. Avery and I had a quick chat with her, and I bought a super cute sweatshirt. Lemon said she wanted to have merchandise that she would actually want to wear, and she did a great job!

 

By 9 pm, it was time for HFTRR, aka Alynda Segarra, who hails from New Orleans. Segarra has been releasing music under the HFTRR moniker since 2008, but their musical career did not begin with that project. In 2007, Dead Man Street Orchestra welcomed Segarra as a mini-washboardist. In February 2024, HFTRR released their eighth studio album, “The Past Is Still Alive.” 

Leading up to this concert, I was less familiar with HFTRR’s work than Lemon’s. That being said, I was equally excited for both performances and would now classify myself as an HFTRR fan. Like Lemon, Segarra and their band provided a beautiful merger of rock and Americana. I quite enjoyed their opening number, “Alibi.” Unfortunately, Avery and I had to leave a bit early, but a quick search helped me find that Segarra did an encore, covering “One of Us” by Eric Bazillian, which I am sad to have missed. 

 

Despite my slight fear of missing out, I can genuinely say that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Merce Lemon and Hurray For The Riff Raff at Ventura Music Hall. These two acts paired perfectly together. I highly recommend seeing either of them if you have the opportunity, and I strongly suggest this venue to anyone in the Santa Barbara area who doesn’t mind the drive. 

 

As I transition from my time as a student, I will carry the memories of incredible live music in the 805 area with me. Though I will miss it deeply, experiencing Merce Lemon was a highlight that I will always cherish. The vibrant music scene has shaped my college experience, and while I look forward to new adventures, I will forever hold a special place in my heart for the concerts I attended and the moments they created. – EH