Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Boston-natives Ripe were greeted to a warm hometown welcome as they graced the stage at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Saturday night. Currently on their “Bright Blues Tour” supporting their new album of the same name, the group performed a 19 song sold-out show full of fan favorites and new tunes. The set was live streamed on Nugs where fans everywhere would be able to watch. The band have fifteen stops left on their tour before embarking of a series of festivals this summer, spreading their euphoric music across the country. There is a freedom in feeling our blues and Ripe encourages us to accept that.
Joined by Couch and Melt, both bands with Boston roots, Beantown showed up as strong and proud as ever. Each group is comprised of a rhythm section and a brass horn section that rounds out a full, upbeat sound full of energy and undeniable groove. The joy in the room was palpable as Couch first took the stage, with front woman Tema Siegel bouncing like an energizer bunny. The party continued as Melt turned up the heat with a combination of original material and covers that the crowd could sign along to. Primed and ready to go, there was an intense happiness felt throughout the venue before Ripe even took the stage.
Embracing their unique hybrid of groove-centric, horn heavy, jam band-inspired jumble of R&B, pop, and indie rock, Ripe play energetic and engaging music that casts an infectious happiness. The experience of Ripe’s live show is cathartic for their devout fan base, and at the very least a dance party for their newcomers. With infectious energy bursting at the seams, the combination of a highly skilled rhythm section, the brightness of horns, and pop-leaning melodies, this is one of Boston’s musical sweet spots.
Bright Blues, a collection of 12 songs that was released on March 10, has an anthemic feel and sleekness that boldens melodies and earworms its way into your brain. There is an updated quality to their sound that is more polished and wide reaching than ever before. As their first release after signing to indie powerhouse Glassnote Records, the band called in outside producer Paul Butler (St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Michael Kiwanuka) and for the first time, brought in co-writers, recording four songs that Ripe released as singles throughout 2020.
Despite their new approach in the studio, Ripe still identifies as a live band through and through. Their live show has always been at the core of who Ripe is, and the community they have cultivated over the past decade of being a band has devotedly stood by them, as evident in the jam-packed MGM. Forming in 2011 at Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, lead singer Robbie Wulfsohn came together with guitarist Jon Becker, drummer Sampson Hellerman, and trombonist Calvin Barthel while they were all students. Ripe is now a thriving outfit, with their live lineup consisting of Wulfsohn (vocals,) Jon Becker (guitar,) Sampson Hellerman (drums,) Calvin Barthel (trombone,) Alonzo Demetrius (trumpet) and Christian Yogi Saint-Louis (bass).
Ripe opened their homecoming set with the buoyant and catchy “Get Over”— a harrowing track that inspires listeners to heal from their past and adversities, all contained within the structure of a synth-driven, catchy pop sound. Cast in shades of blue, the stage’s design reflects their album cover, with large white globes hanging from the ceiling. From the get-go, it was clear this was a night of healing and celebration for not just the band, but all those in attendance.
“You guys know how long we’ve been doing this for,” frontman Robbie Wulfsohn told the crowd early into the set. “This is really special. Thank you very much. And no matter what happens from here on out, we only get to play a room this big for the first time once, and that’s this.” Recognizing faces in the crowd at various points throughout the night, he called out people by name and cheerfully interacted with eager fans, only further proving the loyalty of the Ripe community.
Falling into a soulful flow on “All or Nothing,” horns punctuate a snappy rhythm that powers suave vocals that spilled from Robbie in a cool, R&B cadence. Playing off the same bouncy tempo, they jumped into a cover The Kinks’ hit “Lola,” which Ripe recorded as a bonus track for their 2018 debut album, Joy in the Wild Unknown.
The funky “Avril” enticed the crowd with a bassline so groovy it’s impossible not to dance, while “Caralee,” incorporated with a Phish intro, brought the energy to a sizzling peak. A pair of sunglasses reminiscent of ski goggles were thrown up on stage, egging Robbie to put them on during the performance. Obliging, he joked, “I can’t see, but I can rock”.
During the mellow, dream-like pace of “Paper Cups,” the venue became alit with cell phone lights while fans swayed back in forth in harmony. Overcome in emotion, Robbie admitted “I almost got choked up, almost lost the song, but now we bring the raging energy back”. Channeling each emotion into an impassioned performance, the band reverberate happiness. Both horn players, Demetrius and Barthel, fed into each other and added an irresistible energy, playing around with a battle of the horns and hyping up the audience.
As Ripe continue to grow, their humility does not waver. Taking a moment to express their gratitude, Robbie instructed everyone to raise their pointer fingers high in the air while he recited praises like a mantra. “There’s a big room, there are more names. You stay focused until the end. You got this.” He then instructed a call and response with the crowd, thanking every single member of their crew by name.
Jumping into “Brendan,” the crowd channeled Ripe’s energy, and the band reciprocated as if in a symbiotic relationship. “Goon Squad,” a song which went viral via a Reddit thread in 2014, proved as the crowd pleasure of the night. Full of infectious groove, it’s a song that brings heapfulls of good vibes and lets the band tap into their original jam band roots. There was not a person in the room who was not jumping and dancing around, letting the song’s elation set them free.
The night was punctuated by moments of ear piercing cheers and more love and adoration for the band. Stopping to take in these heartfelt moments, it was clear each member was overcome with the insanity of the sight before them. In a moment of pure sincerity, they each hugged one another while fighting back tears. Their look of astonishment only fueled the crowd more. “Noise in the Forest” stirred quite the reaction from fans who swayed in harmony. Guitarist Jon Becker jumped around the stage while the horn section acted like hype men, arms up, adding to the excitment. 2018 hit “Downward” began with a snippet of U2’s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” brought a new level of energy, which did not seem possible. Their latest single “Settling” closed out the setlist on a high. Hitting top 15 at AAA and top 25 at ALT with over 16K+ radio spins garnering 15+million impressions, this is perhaps Ripe’s most commercially successful song to date, and the reaction is spurred live only reinforces that they are on the up and up.
The night concluded with encore tracks “Young Tom Rose,” “Little Lighter” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” in a satisfying ending to a perfect night. “I’m happy to be a Masshole” Robbie joked, much to the delight of the crowd. After reconnecting with their fans in the city that birthed their career, this truly was a special and memorable show for everyone involved. No matter how far they travel, Boston will always welcome Ripe back with a warm embrace. If the turnout for their shows and their pure determination and joy is any indicator, Ripe is on the cusp of something bigger and brighter.
Couch
Melt
Ripe
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