St. Petersburg Florida Gets Ripe: A Night of Unforgettable Sweetness and Sound
It's Thanksgiving Eve, and the streets of Central Ave in St. Petersburg, Florida, are buzzing with excitement. Fans line up outside of Jannus Live as the colors of the beautiful sunset and cool breeze provide the perfect backdrop for this beloved outdoor venue. Tonight St. Pete is truly in for a pre-turkey treat as the band Ripe and Allen Stone will co-headline the evening on their highly anticipated "The Get Sweet Tour."
Both musical powerhouses have been dazzling the music scene for quite some time. Cultivating a dedicated fan base with their soulful sounds, dynamic lyrics, and danceable beats. Ripe and Allen Stone are about a quarter of the way through their tour as they work their way up the east coast, making three stops in Florida. Their collective presence tonight promises an unforgettable evening of raw talent, infectious energy, and sweet deep musical connection.
For those who may be hearing the name Ripe for the first time, prepare to dive a little deeper into this electrifying ensemble. Their journey began in 2011, as students at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They created music in unconventional places, like the basement of a Subway sandwich shop, and hand-sold tickets to their first gigs. In 2013 they released their first EP, Produce the Juice, followed by a second in 2015 titled Hey Hello. Ripe unveiled their debut album, Joy in the Wild Unknown, on April 6, 2018. Then they introduced their sophomore album, Bright Blues, in 2023. Now they are celebrating the release of their third studio album, Play the Game, which hit the music scene on September 19, 2025. This latest project is best described as an embrace of a new chapter. One that reflects their lives collectively as a band, individually, and "going all in on a shared dream." Together the band has rocked the festival stages of Bonnaroo, Boston Calling, Firefly, and Levitate, to name a few. And just a few days ago they were on national television, on CBS's Saturday Morning Music Stage, performing "Letting Go."
Priming the stage for the night is the incredible band Bombargo. All the way from Saskatchewan, Canada, they explode into their performance with instantaneous energy and joy, winning fans over immediately. Lead vocalist Nathan Thoen works every inch of the stage and beyond the barricade with his band of brothers rocking out behind him. Anthony Thoen and Spencer Chilliak shred on guitars, while brothers Matt and Sammy Folkersen dazzle on keys and bass, respectively. Connor Newton jams on saxophone, and Niall Cubbon holds it down on drums. The 7-piece ensemble delivers a set that includes fan favorites "Pieces of My Heart," "Good Time Guaranteed," and a stellar rendition of Queen's iconic song "Don't Stop Me Now." The highlight of the set was when Nathan took an inflatable longboard and had fans hold it up above their heads as he stood upon it singing "Oxygen." It was an actual epic crowd surf. Since the band's induction in 2013 they have amassed quite a following, with 2 studio albums, an EP, and two headlining tours. Based on the performance tonight, I am excited to see where this musical wave will take them next.
Fans line the barricade with Ripe T-shirts and signs as the clock strikes 8 pm. The lights soften as cheers echo throughout the venue. With cool confidence, Ripe steps onto the stage and to their respective instruments, wasting no time dazzling our eardrums with the unmistakable opening sound of their hit, "Letting Go." Lead singer Robbie joins shortly after and commands the microphone with his powerful voice and dynamic tone. The entire band is fitted in stylish green varsity jackets with white sleeves paired with black pants. Adorning the left chest of every jacket is the letter "R" and patches on the sleeves. The patches read "Ripe" and celebrate the title of their most recent album, "Play The Game."
The night is truly a non-stop dance party fueled by feel-good vibes. Ripe flows through an engaging setlist spanning over a decade of music, from their earliest tunes to their most recent work to monumental covers. Early in the set, songs like "Beige Suit" and "Peacocks" infuse the crowd with delight and dancing. "Down with the Darkness," off their first EP, lights up fans that have been following the band from their early Boston days.
Watching Ripe perform is to witness an undeniable bond and friendship they have with one another, in addition to the pure fun they have on stage. Each band member brings something truly special to the performance. Jon shreds on a selection of Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars. Yogi works a four- and five-string bass guitar, keeping a cool bassline. Sampson holds down a solid foundation on a sweet red and white Ludwig drum set. Calvin on trombone and Caleb on trumpet elevate the overall sound with their warm tones. Caleb, Jon, and Sampson pull double duty providing backup vocals on songs like "First Time Feeling" and "Try Not To Look." Robbie, the magnetic frontman, dances about the stage, engaging and making eye contact with fans the entire night. His soulful, rich voice brings true life to the lyrics he sings while wielding two microphones at times. He jokingly asks midway through the set if it's "St. Petersburg" or "St. Petersburgs, Florida?" To which the local crowd instantly corrects him with a collective shout, and he laughs.
Ripe seamlessly transitions from a short cover of U2's 80s hit "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For" into their song "Downward." They then transport fans across the pond and back to the 90s with the British hit "Tubthumping" by the band Chumbawamba. With the energy supercharged, Ripe brings out Allen Stone. Together they sing the hit "Goon Squad" off Ripe's 2015 EP. The camaraderie and smiles shared on stage are undeniable as Robbie and Allen's harmonies shine. Ripe plays what is thought to be the final note of the set and takes a bow. Robbie shouts a playful challenge to the crowd as the band exits the stage, "What is the name of the band?" Jannus Live shouts with deafening volume and big smiles, "Ripe!!"
Just when you think the energy in the room can't be more electrified, the fusion of funk, soul, and rock culminates. Ripe, Allen Stone, and Bombargo come together for an all-star encore, performing a show-stopping cover of Toto's 1982 classic "Hold the Line." Thank goodness we were not confined to an indoor venue, for the collective forces of this very last song would have truly blown the roof right off the place. It is a moment of true musical bliss, with every single person singing, dancing, and smiling.
As the final notes fade into the air, it's clear that those at Jannus Live tonight have been a part of something truly special. Ripe didn't just play a show—they created a moment, the kind you walk away from with pure happiness. It's a true moment to be thankful for and Ripe's next visit can't come soon enough.
