Now that the dust has settled on the NRL season and the long weekend, I’m turning my attention back to music and reminiscing about last week’s excellent Ben Folds show in Mulubinba/Newcastle. Ben is one of those artists that keeps me coming back every few years. The American singer-songwriter is a regular visitor to our shores, and while I don’t attend every tour I can never leave it too long before buying tickets. Even though a midweek gig in Newcastle was tricky, the prospect of seeing him at the Civic Theatre was irresistible, so my husband took a half-day off work and we made the way to my old stomping ground.
The Civic really is the perfect place for seeing a show like this. It’s one of a handful of heritage-listed theatres, a special space which sets the tone for special nights out. The sound is always impeccable, perfect for appreciating the lyrics of any unfamiliar songs. I really appreciated that for Lindsey Kraft’s set. Ben’s support act has only been making music since the pandemic, but was familiar to me through her role on Grace & Frankie. The quirky piano songs from her semi-autobiographical one-woman musical We’ve Been Here Before really were the perfect way to way to ease ourselves into a night of music. I hung on her every word, appreciating her humour and musicality.
This was my fifth Ben Folds show, but I’ve never seen one quite like this. He took to the stage wearing sunglasses, a way to cope with the vestibular migraines he’s been battling he told us. He hates them too, he said, but they allow him to keep making music for us. I’ve always known he was passionate about that, but I appreciated it just a little more at this concert. There was such intensity about the way he played, like he was pushing through the discomfort because the songs meant more. People closer to the front said they saw him closing his eyes behind the shades, gripping the piano, doing whatever he needed to do to ensure the show went on.
A Ben Folds concert always surprises. “Brick,” with his band Ben Folds Five, is his only top 50 hit, so people aren’t really seeing his shows because they heard him on the radio. That gives him the freedom to play what he feels like, because he’s amongst serious fans who either know more obscure tracks or are open to hearing them. We don’t mind if we don’t hear “Brick,” and we didn’t, because we’ve probably got other favourites. I heard many of mine: “Landed,” “Still Fighting It,” “Effington,” and “You Don’t Know Me” with the crowd making an impressive stand-in for Regina Spektor. I’ve not sure I’ve every heard such enthusiastic participation or better harmonies from an audience.
Given the migraines, I wasn’t expecting an encore. I appreciated the way Ben had already pushed through, but it seemed he had a little more in the tank. He returned to the stage, tossed the sunglasses, and put everything into “Army.” And then finally, a few familiar notes and I was clutching my husband’s hand as Ben serenaded us with “The Luckiest.” This is such a special song for my husband and I, and for a few minutes we sat in it, marvelling at how lucky we are. To have found one another all those years ago, and to be sitting together enjoying one of our favourite artists sing one of our favourite songs. Truly the luckiest.
Thank you for a wonderful show Ben. Let’s do it again soon. Ben Folds has just wrapped up his solo shows, but he’ll be back on our shores for more gigs backed by orchestras next year. Tickets are on sale now for all the following dates:
22 January 2027 – Llewellyn Hall, Ngambri/Canberra (with Canberra Symphony Orchestra)
23 January 2027 – Llewellyn Hall, Ngambri/Canberra (with Canberra Symphony Orchestra)
29 January 2027 – Hamer Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
30 January 2027 – Hamer Hall, Naarm/Melbourne (with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)
3 February 2027 – Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney (with Sydney Symphony Orchestra)
4 February 2027 – Hordern Pavilion, Eora/Sydney (with Sydney Symphony Orchestra)
6 February 2027 – Wrest Point, kree.wer/Sandy Bay (with Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra)
18 February 2027 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)
19 February 2027 – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Tarntanya/Adelaide (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra)
Photo credit: Tim J Keegan @ Flickr