Date: 11-09-2024
Venue: Ventura Music Hall
Recently I have been adding shows from my favorite venues to my calendar regardless if I knew the band or not. A band called Ripe was on the calendar for this day, but I never heard of them before. The decision to see Ripe was more adventure than anything else. Being a lifelong music lover is not always about listening to my favorite bands every day. It’s also about finding new bands and genres.
I arrived at the venue early to get a good spot on the rail. It was about 30 minutes before the show started and there were less than ten people there. After waiting a bit longer it appeared that Ripe was a popular band. Shirts, hoodies, and vinyl records packed the merch booth. The bar sold Ripe-themed drinks. These were all signs that these guys where expecting a good turn out.
The crowd grew larger the closer we got to the start time. Before I knew it, the place was packed. The sound guy started to play some 70s disco through the house speakers. Once he played some Tom Sawyer by Rush, people immediately went into listening mode. Attendees started facing the stage with a mild metal headbang. The music stopped, the house lights lowered, and the opening band, Hembree, began to play. They had an energetic and clean sound.
After the first song, Hembree started inviting Ripe members on stage to play. Later we found out that the two bands were great friends and lived near each other in Los Angeles. Their musical styles meshed very well with each other. There was a contagious sense of music community in the hall. The band made you feel that everyone in the hall was as important as they were.
It was then time for Ripe. When Ripe started playing, I could not believe the great sound they were giving us. They had touches of pop, jazz, funk, and R&B. The guitarist was ripping some smooth solos. The trumpet and trombone lent a fine punch to all the songs. The lyrics and melodies were genuine. It was a feel-good type of show.
The crowd was as diverse as the music. There were people of all ages and many different styles. The dancing was everywhere. I felt like the only one seeing them for the first time. At one point in the show, the singer asked who was seeing them for the first time. It sounded like half the crowd cheered. The singer immediately showed his appreciation for all the new fans and visitors.
I recommend going to see this band. I am a reggae-loving metal head and I enjoyed this band although they were not metal or reggae. I am hoping to see them again soon.