words by Patty Riek
photos by Jon Bauer
The Bay Area can’t get enough of RY X (Ry Cuming). He sold out two shows in October 2024 at Grace Cathedral as well as his most recent at Herbst Theatre on Monday, October 6.
Partial to intimate, characterful venues, his team designs thick, moody spaces with the judicious use of a fog machine and strategic lighting to create shadows and silhouettes. A sartorial force, the RY X vibe (broad circular brimmed hats, flowy linen garb, rings) was out in force.
Opening the show with “Sweat” from the 2016 release, “Dawn” his layered looping generates a sophisticated melange of sounds with his strong melodies at the center of the swirl. Coupled with the mesmerizing lighting, the visual and sonic patterns build intensity creating crescendos which resolve with a final catharsis.
Showcasing new work, he played, “You” – an island-y beat collaboration that he originally recorded with Hermanos Gutiérrez. Ry shared another collaboration, this one with &Me, Rampa, Adam Port, and Keinemusik, “Feeling.” The trance music tones were complemented by With the stage bathed in red.
Supporting collaboration of all types, dancer Becky Hicks joined for a “Let It Go” instrumental with a beautiful blue light accompanying her. After the piece, Ry revealed that this was spontaneous. Back stage, Hicks asked if she should dance to this. Luckily for us, she did.
Another treat: he shared an unrecorded piece (perhaps un-named piece) that started with solo guitar, gradually adding key, sax, and drums. As the song concluded, the other instruments dropped away ending as it had begun with Ry’s soulful guitar playing.
Ry told the audience that he’s soon going to be hibernating to dive into new works. He commented on the joy and celebration of performing in intimate venues to connect with his audience, but that creating was another one of his obsessions, and that it’s a healing time when he can pursue his artistic pursuits.
Ending the regular show with the iconic “Howling,” Ry invited the audience to get up and dance, and the aisles filled with exuberant fans. The same fans loudly, lovingly demanded an encore.
Happy to oblige, RY X commented on his gratitude for all types of community noting how “juicy” it is to live a beautiful life with loved ones. Closing the evening with “Only,” Ry led the audience in a layered sing along of the refrain “I was only falling in love.”
Whispered words and soaring vocals. Piercing light and dark shadows. Simple guitar and multi-faceted electronica. The evening was a sensual exploration of juxtapositions.
Starting the evening with a soulful set, rum.gold accompanied by Alex Dyring set an introspective tone for the night.
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