Ripe 8.20.23 Harbor Park – Middletown, CT

Words & Photos by Anthony Abu-Hanna

The saying “never miss a Sunday show” was certainly true on August 20th. The Boston based Funk-Pop group Ripe brought their electric show to Harbor Park in Middletown, Connecticut on a Sunday night. The band’s die-hard fans showed up in droves to sing and dance the night away.

Opening the show was New Hampshire’s own Joe Samba with a set of groovy reggae songs that could get anyone’s feet moving. Once the sun went down and the stage lights went up, Ripe took the stage and, figuratively, blew the roof off the park. The band came out swinging with their rendition of The Kinks’ Lola, setting the mood for what would unfold throughout the evening. Swiftly moving into Queen of the City, one of the singles of their sophomore album, Bright Blues, they started to dig into a groove that would last the next few songs, rolling through a series of singles they had released in 2020, including fan favorites such as Five in the Morning, First Time Feeling, and Little Less Polite.

As the night continued on, the band settled into a groove that would take the audience through some of their most popular hits, songs from the new album, and even a unique take on Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall. Ripe ended their night on their first hit – Little Lighter leaving everyone attending the show feeling just a little lighter from how hard they danced throughout the evening.

Ripe is on the tail end of their summer tour. Tickets are available for their five remaining shows through their website. (https://www.ripetheband.com/tour)

Setlist:
Lola (The Kinks) >

Queen of the City

Five in the Morning

First Time Feeling

Brendan

Little Less Polite

Passerby >

Say it to Me

Ex-Life >

Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)

All or Nothing

Flipside >