RDGLDGRN (pronounced red gold green) is an incredible mashup of music genres: rap, rock, and go-go. They’re an American band based out of Reston, Virginia (a suburb of Washington, DC), that formed in 2011. They have worked with a wide range of notable famous musicians, including Dave Grohl and Pharrell Williams. RDGLDGRN released their debut self-titled full-length album in September 2013, and have since been making strides and coming into their own image.

My friends told me about this band, themselves having learnt about them from the soundtrack of "Need For Speed: Rivals," and took a quick liking to their tracks. They told me I should give them a listen and come see the show, and I generally take my friends' advice. However, I’m generally always suffering from a lack of funds, so I couldn’t afford a ticket. One of my closest friends, not wanting me to lose this opportunity, bought me a ticket to see them.

We drove over, trying to not let our hype for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" overshadow of what looked to be an awesome night. Little did I know, it would be an incredible one.

We arrived a little early, and we were pretty much first in line. The venue itself, well, it was a more intimate setting. The venue could only hold a little less than 500 people. Between the brick layers and the glass archways, my friends and I got right up front and center.

“We drove five hours to a sold-out show in Washington, D.C., just to see them,” my friend (the one who bought my ticket and drove me there) Nick Hayes stated. “And it was totally worth it. There’s nothing that really sounds like them.”

As we waited for the night to get set up, I looked over and saw two fellows. One was entirely clothed in green and the other in red, and they began to mingle with the crowd. Until it hit me that they were the headline band, I had no idea. I really don’t know a whole lot about them, but I learned quickly that the band wears their colors everywhere. They’re even referred to by their colors by even one another. The band was super friendly and warm with the audience, joking around and laughing and generally just having a good time. It was really cool to see the band just hanging out with their fans.

Eventually I caught the attention of Green (Pierre Desrosiers) and Red (Marcus Parham), and we talked about how they approached to creating RDGLDGRN’s music and their favorite things about it.

“Our first album was really more of a rock album with a hip hop brain behind it. Our latest record ("Red Gold Green LP 2") is a reverse of that, a hip hop sound with a rock influence. I really like that, because we could go pretty much anywhere from here,” said Pierre. “What (RDLDGRN) is all about, really, is us doing whatever the hell we want. People respond to that.”

“It’s like a circuit board, y’know, the way people respond to us. We put something different into our music: all of these things that we love and we make the effort to say what we want to say and do what we want to do. The fans respond and come right back, reflecting our love for music and our intentions behind it.” Marcus commented. “It’s so very refreshing to hear that people are looking forward to our music as much as we are to making it. Especially when it’s just us being us.”

Before the show began, we discussed our common love of video games, movies, and especially our excitement for the latest "Star Wars." Pierre joked that the reason why my friends and I were all fans of their band was simply because we were nerds like them. Pierre couldn’t wait to go see "The Force Awakens" in between sets. Although there couldn’t have been more than 50 people at this particular concert, they’ve had sold out plenty of shows before. Pierre also commented that most of the people who bought tickets for the concert weren’t even from Greensboro, which he found interesting. He was also extremely flattered that my friends had gone five hours away just to see them, and had come back again.

After a while, the concert had finally begun with the opening band. Led by a fellow by the name of J. Timber, he and his band took the stage by storm with their passion. With soulful vocals, funky rhythms and riffs that make you want to get up and dance, J Timber’s pop rock crew ascended into the spotlight by lifting the spirits of the room. The crowd cheered and danced, and really fed off their constant energy. I do not regularly attend concerts, so I don’t have a particular palate of what is good and bad for openers, but if they had a CD there and if I had the cash, I would have bought an EP/CD immediately. These musicians were clearly passionate about what they were doing, and it was all the more impressive when I learned that the night was the first time J Timber had done a concert in years, and the band he was with had only practiced about three times before their performance that night. They were in sync, they were talented, and they will (eventually) have my money.

Finally, RDGLDGRN started up. The indie-rock trio grooved their way through the night with hip-hop breakdowns, punk-like rocky energy, and dance. Pierre (Green) hit the stage with a Rage Against The Machine-like energy and caught the audience’s attention. RDGLDGRN has a special ability: the ability to engage an audience that is unfamiliar to their music so effortlessly. I found myself screaming the words at the top of my lungs with the rest of the audience, jumping up and down. I was looking to have a good time, but I didn’t expect this. I was so into it, and before I even knew it I had become a fan. Pierre even got off the stage mid concert and danced in the midst of all of us, and J Timber even joined in. It would be near impossible to not have a smile on your face with what RDGLDGRN brings to the table: one hell of a good time. The hooks were catchy, the lyrics relatable, and the music itself is its own intoxicating brew. There really is nothing else like these guys, and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy their records or see them again. I can guarantee going to see these guys will be the best workout you've had in a while, because there is no way you won't jump up and down with them.

After the show, out of simple curiosity, I asked Marcus (Red) what his favorite album out of 2015 was. He thought long and hard about it, and looked pretty much stumped when he turned to me and told him it was his own, "Red Gold Green LP 2." It’s not a cop-out answer; Marcus truly loves the work that he and his band are accomplishing. They’re looking forward to the end of their tour, relaxing, and eventually getting back into the studio for their next album.

If you ask the band or look at any interview, RDGLDGRN will tell you their biggest influences are the Beatles and Bob Marley. And while RDGLDGRN don't exactly sound like those famous artists at all, they all have made it a point to carve their own path by mixing genres, blending the things they live and love and, in the process, create something truly unique.