Ben Folds at The Rose
Sep. 9th, 2023 08:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
just_cydI've talked all about the venue, but I've never said anything about the show!
At the beginning of the year, when things were a bit manic, I was on a bit of a concert-ticket-buying spree, so when Ben Folds announced his show at the Rose for his summer tour, along with pre-orders for his new album, I was ALL IN*. I did the artist presale to ensure I'd get good seats, and snagged two for the first section behind the pit (thinking the pit was standing only, on top of $$$), far enough to the left that I hoped we could see him playing but still see his face somewhat. While his body-slamming days are over, he will still smash the keys with his forearm, and it's a sight to behold for newbies and old-timers alike
Two tickets acquired, Beth was good to go (and relieved I'd opted out of the $225/ea pre-show VIP package), fun times will be had by all! Then this happened. Then this. Then, shortly, the show was rescheduled.
I don't remember the exact order of things, but in the midst of planning my whirlwind trip to NY to see Darren Jessee, and to attempt to connect with Dan and his siblings on this cross-state bike ride, I realized that for the second time this year I would be seeing Ben Folds, only to have to get up at the crack of dawn the next day to drive out of state to see Darren Jessee. Seriously, my dudes, get it together!! At least I could swing both trips. If I'd had to choose one over the other, I don't know how I would.
With the new date, Beth couldn't come, so I had to find someone. Eventually an online friend from IN said she was interested AND willing to pay the ticket price. She was at a festival in NE OH two days before, so the drive to Dayton was no big deal. We hit it off pretty well in person and nearly missed the start of the show talking out in the outside area.
Seats were fantastic, but I was so disappointed to see so many gaps in attendees! The symphony show had been a sellout (or damn near) so this was a bit disheartening. never mind. I was getting to see Ben Fucking Folds for the 2nd time this year and the 4th time total.
He opened with Capable of Anything, and I shout-sang along with it and pretty much every song. I did try to warn my friend that if she didn't take direction well there could be a problem, and there might be a quiz, but I was laughing the whole time. the only songs I didn't sing to were a couple from the new album, and the couple that I filmed - Kristine from the 7th Grade and Eddie Walker / Landed. Eddie Walker had been preceded by Ben telling us about Caleb Southern, who had died a week earlier at the age of 53. Go read that obit; Caleb was an amazing human. He pops up a few times in their MySpace Front-to-Back thing. I was crushed, because (1) I know Caleb was a very big part of BFF, and (2) that was the second friend he'd talked about dying. He covers that in the song What Matters Most, but never named the friend, either in the song or while talking about it beforehand.
Ben did confirm partway through the show that yes, he had to reschedule, and yes, he had Covid. but they had to keep it on the down-low, as he had other big-bang shows that he'd be recovered in time to perform, and promoters strongly dislike patrons trying to get their money back on the rumor of a potential cancelation. He seemed a little more reserved and mellow. Maybe it's because he's not 25 anymore? Maybe it's residual covid? I mean, he wasn't climbing the wall in April, but I didn't expect him to actually pause a story when he saw "kiddies" (his term) in the audience to adjust his language. He played a cute ditty for some little kids off on the side in the grass who were spinning, and shared how he'd do the same for his kids when they were little. He seemed a little wistful at the memory - Louis and Gracie are 24 now.
Not sure how he managed to time it, but he said he'd have us singing the chorus to Not The Same just as the sun dipped below the horizon (from his view), which made the whole thing that much more magical. For his encore, he came back out on stage with this giant inflatable unicorn he found backstage, and plopped it on his Yamaha like no big deal, and went to town on Army, his final show on the night.
The show was a nice mix of the new album, his stuff with yMusic, solo works and BFF classics. My only complaint was the show was short - not even 90 minutes. I guess not everyone is Natalie Merchant? Even with spending nearly an hour talking with my friend post-show, I was glad for the early night and short drive home. Sleep and Darren were waiting!
*a quick check confirms that my email to my counselor was sent later this same night. Mid-February was very, very busy.
At the beginning of the year, when things were a bit manic, I was on a bit of a concert-ticket-buying spree, so when Ben Folds announced his show at the Rose for his summer tour, along with pre-orders for his new album, I was ALL IN*. I did the artist presale to ensure I'd get good seats, and snagged two for the first section behind the pit (thinking the pit was standing only, on top of $$$), far enough to the left that I hoped we could see him playing but still see his face somewhat. While his body-slamming days are over, he will still smash the keys with his forearm, and it's a sight to behold for newbies and old-timers alike
Two tickets acquired, Beth was good to go (and relieved I'd opted out of the $225/ea pre-show VIP package), fun times will be had by all! Then this happened. Then this. Then, shortly, the show was rescheduled.
I don't remember the exact order of things, but in the midst of planning my whirlwind trip to NY to see Darren Jessee, and to attempt to connect with Dan and his siblings on this cross-state bike ride, I realized that for the second time this year I would be seeing Ben Folds, only to have to get up at the crack of dawn the next day to drive out of state to see Darren Jessee. Seriously, my dudes, get it together!! At least I could swing both trips. If I'd had to choose one over the other, I don't know how I would.
With the new date, Beth couldn't come, so I had to find someone. Eventually an online friend from IN said she was interested AND willing to pay the ticket price. She was at a festival in NE OH two days before, so the drive to Dayton was no big deal. We hit it off pretty well in person and nearly missed the start of the show talking out in the outside area.
Seats were fantastic, but I was so disappointed to see so many gaps in attendees! The symphony show had been a sellout (or damn near) so this was a bit disheartening. never mind. I was getting to see Ben Fucking Folds for the 2nd time this year and the 4th time total.
He opened with Capable of Anything, and I shout-sang along with it and pretty much every song. I did try to warn my friend that if she didn't take direction well there could be a problem, and there might be a quiz, but I was laughing the whole time. the only songs I didn't sing to were a couple from the new album, and the couple that I filmed - Kristine from the 7th Grade and Eddie Walker / Landed. Eddie Walker had been preceded by Ben telling us about Caleb Southern, who had died a week earlier at the age of 53. Go read that obit; Caleb was an amazing human. He pops up a few times in their MySpace Front-to-Back thing. I was crushed, because (1) I know Caleb was a very big part of BFF, and (2) that was the second friend he'd talked about dying. He covers that in the song What Matters Most, but never named the friend, either in the song or while talking about it beforehand.
Ben did confirm partway through the show that yes, he had to reschedule, and yes, he had Covid. but they had to keep it on the down-low, as he had other big-bang shows that he'd be recovered in time to perform, and promoters strongly dislike patrons trying to get their money back on the rumor of a potential cancelation. He seemed a little more reserved and mellow. Maybe it's because he's not 25 anymore? Maybe it's residual covid? I mean, he wasn't climbing the wall in April, but I didn't expect him to actually pause a story when he saw "kiddies" (his term) in the audience to adjust his language. He played a cute ditty for some little kids off on the side in the grass who were spinning, and shared how he'd do the same for his kids when they were little. He seemed a little wistful at the memory - Louis and Gracie are 24 now.
Not sure how he managed to time it, but he said he'd have us singing the chorus to Not The Same just as the sun dipped below the horizon (from his view), which made the whole thing that much more magical. For his encore, he came back out on stage with this giant inflatable unicorn he found backstage, and plopped it on his Yamaha like no big deal, and went to town on Army, his final show on the night.
The show was a nice mix of the new album, his stuff with yMusic, solo works and BFF classics. My only complaint was the show was short - not even 90 minutes. I guess not everyone is Natalie Merchant? Even with spending nearly an hour talking with my friend post-show, I was glad for the early night and short drive home. Sleep and Darren were waiting!
*a quick check confirms that my email to my counselor was sent later this same night. Mid-February was very, very busy.
