Ben Folds @ The Palais,Melbourne (03/09/2009)

Sun 6th Sep, 2009 in Gig Reviews

It was 2006 when Ben Folds last graced us with his presence in Melbourne. Since this time Ben has released an LP, Way To Normal, and been working on some songs with Nick Hornby, author of such greats as High Fidelity and About A Boy. So this was the first time to hear these tunes in the flesh. And, if you were part of the lucky people to make this one, and only, Melbourne show at the Palais, you were given a treat.

Having, not surprisingly, a sold out crowd, Ben casually strolled on stage to a rousing response from the audience and took his lone seat. Leading the night with Free Coffee, from his 2008 release, Way To Normal. Coming across much more charming and inviting, compared to the it’s heavy synth recorded cousin, Free Coffee works well as an opener to set the mood.

Folds kept things moving for the first few tracks, it wasn’t till between Still Fighting It and Gracie that Ben offered some story time, regarding his twin children; born on separate days, with different star signs and dedicated songs on individual albums.

It didn’t take too long before the crowd began to make some requests, which Ben has no issue in handling. Rock This Bitch was bound to get a shout out and he didn’t let us down, and gave us insight to the secret guest who would take to drums later in the evening.

Ben Folds also gave some glimpses into the new material he has been working on with Nick Hornby for an upcoming screenplay. The new tunes were the fairly sombre Picture Window and the down, dirty, and comical Levi’s Blues. The later, comprised of a chorus taken from the MySpace page of Levi Johnston, the college student who knocked up Sarah Palin’s daughter.

After a few more songs, folds then unveiled the secret, alluded to earlier while the bitch was rocked. The drums were set up and out walked Australia’s lady love, Missy Higgins to take the part of Regina Spector in You Don’t Know Me and a follow up snippet of My Baby Just Cares For Me.

Folds’ charisma really shone with his abilities to keep things feeling so casual while rolling through songs, telling stories, while taking requests from and responding to the crowd. Still, he keeps everything so professional as a performer. Things feel so comfortable that before you know it, he’s played 26 songs and closing the evening with his brilliant cover of The Postal Service’s- œ Such Great Heights.

Overall the set shows Folds is leaving the Ben Folds Five legacy behind him and pushing his later solo dittys. With only six of the numbers being from the BFF outfit, there were many “wish he played this” thoughts while leaving. Although, this shows the strength of Fold’s back catalogue and his abilities as a song writer. He can put on a satisfying show and still have an entire set of other songs, he could have played, hidden up his sleeve.

It’s was great to have the Folds magic down south again, let’s hope it’s not too long before the next visit, and he decides to stay a few nights longer. If you missed the show, Ben did mention that it was being recorded for Triple J’s live at the wireless. So keep your ears open for a play date.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE

Set List
Free Coffee
Annie Waits
Effington
Still Fighting It
Gracie
Rock This Bitch
Lullaby
The Ascent Of Stan
Picture Window
Levi Johnston’s Blues
Jesusland
The Last Polka
Brick
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix cover)
You Don’t Know Me (feat. Missy Higgins)
My Baby Just Cares For Me (Nina Simone Cover feat. Missy Higgins)
Bitches Ain’t Shit (Dr. Dre cover)
Landed
Best Imitation of Myself
Dr. Yang
Emaline
Narcolepsy
Zak and Sara
Not the Same – Encore –
Rockin’ the Suburbs
The Luckiest
Such Great Heights (The Postal Service cover)