Manchester welcomes the sun-kissed psychedelic sounds of Rose City Band to YES on Tuesday 11th May. NDR are delighted to take sail into the transcendental summery breeze of Ripley Johnson’s once secretive project.
In 2019, the guitarist and songwriter Ripley Johnson led the acclaimed fuzz-driven Wooden Shjips for over a decade, while also making up the second half of Moon Duo (with Sanae Yamada). After Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, Johnson wanted to keep his identity disguised upon his new project. So, he devised the plan of forming Rose City Band but not mentioning his name anywhere in the credits for their debut album. Taking influence from his musical upbringing, Johnson wanted to transform the music that shaped his taste with a modern twist. Artists like J.J. Cale, The Byrds and, most notably, the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty-era, especially the jamband improvised 3hr+ Deadhead live performances molded into the foundations of the Rose City Band. Over their past five albums, Rose City Band (of Porland, Oregon) have finely crafted some of the most glorious, authentic summery slabs of hazed neo-country-psychedelia – the perfect soundtrack to any summery day’s wander.
Their latest album ‘Sol Y Sombre’, released on 24th January 2025 on Thrill Jockey Records, showcases RCB’s musical dynamics at their very best. Evoking wide open blue skies, arid desert landscapes, Sol Y Sombre is a parade of catchy songs conjuring a sunset drive through an open desert, both a celebration of a sojourn and a reach for the warmth of home.
The title ‘Sol Y Sombre’ meaning an after-dinner or breakfast alcoholic drink, consisting of brandy and anise, explains the tonal night and day differences between side A and B. Side A features peaceful drifts during ‘Evergreen’ and ‘Sunlight Daze’ reminiscent of the summer morning stillness. Whereas, side B introduces the post-breakfast alcoholic beverage with infectious grooves and solo interchanges between Ripley Johnson and Barry Walker on the rock-driven ‘Radio Song’ and the psychedelic odyssey of “Seeds of Light > La mesa”. Be prepared to see ‘Sol Y Sombre’ crop up on many end-of-year lists for best albums of 2025.
“With Rose City Band, I’m generally trying to make uplifting music, good time music,” says Johnson. “This time I couldn’t avoid the shadow being more of a presence. There’s no getting away from it. The shadow is always there. So, I left it in.” The ensemble’s buoyant moments still glide with ease, but there is room to revel in respite of the shade of a dark cloud. For Johnson, the album finds places where the conscious meets the unconscious, the songs emanating the more mercurial and curious aspects of their sonic dream world, using darker hues to paint the panorama around them.
At 9pm sharp, Ripley Johnson and the band walk out onto the stage in YES’s Pink room and slide straight into the lucid summer oozed ‘Empty Bottles’ from their 2020 album ‘Summerlong’. A warmth is cast from the stage, welcoming the audience into the borderlands of Rose City as ascending steel pedal waves from Barry Walker weave into the gentle melodies, extracting the stress of the day from each member of the audience. Johnson’s gentle, soothing vocals and tasteful guitar interjections are met in kind with the versatile players of Walker, Hasenberg, and Jeffery, with special guest performances by synthesist/vocalist Sanae Yamada to drench the audience within a tapestry of hues.
As the song pulls to an end, a momentous cheer from the audience is projected – an eagerly anticipated crowd have waited for this moment for a while. After a short glance and nod around the stage, Ripley Johnson & co dive into the Neo-country jig of ‘Slow Burn’ from their 2023 record ‘Garden Party’. Paul Hasenberg’s swirling Hammond organs blister through the sumptuous atmosphere, weaving feathered infectious grooves from drummer John Jeffrey that leave the audience bopping in awe. The ebb and flow in which Ripley Johnson devises through each track leaves you at the crossroads of your mind, unable to figure which direction the jam will flow next. Rose City Band showcase their masterful liberating sonic adventures, molding the perfect soundtrack to the glorious May evening. masterful,
A wide selection of songs from their discography are exhibited, including ‘Poorch Boogie’, ‘El Rio’, ‘Mariposa’ and a personal highlight of the set for me was ‘Moonlight Highway’ from their 2023 record ‘Garden Party’. Reminiscent of the 1971 Allman Brothers ‘At Fillmore East’ era and the Grateful Dead’s improvised live jam sections, Johnson’s Garcia-esque seemingly effortless momentum carries the joy of its creation through the chopped catchy rhythms laced with effortless tumbling guitar riffs and tight steady drumbeats. I overheard someone beside me say ‘they’re like a cowboy Krunghabin’ to their friend, and they couldn’t help but agree. Rose City Band are the masters of chill.
As the crowd steadily disperses back into the warmth of the Manchester streets. A communal happiness is felt within the room. That’s the effect of Rose City Band. Their job here is done.
Catch Rose City Band on their UK tour:
Wednesday 14th May – Stereo, Glasgow
Thursday 15th May – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Friday 16th May – The Loft Arts Club, Liverpool
Saturday 17th May – Strange Brew, Bristol
