Ben Folds 5 at The Capitol Theater
(Photos and Review by Joe Madonna)
PORT CHESTER, NY -Has it really been 15 years since I last saw Ben Folds Five live on stage? I guess so. One of my favorite Alternative Indie college rock bands from the 90′s! I think I saw them at least four or five times back then.
The Capitol Theater was buzzing with excitement for the band. Kate Miller Hedike warmed up the show with her opera-esque pop sound.
The lights dimmed a little bit and the band walked on stage. Everybody in the band walked out with smiles on their faces waving to a loud applause from the crowd. It was great to see them back where they belong.
The show started with a new song “Michael Praytor, Five Years Later” from their new CD “The Sound of the Life of the Mind”. From an album perspective, the new CD is not as fast as some their other albums, but playing these new songs live made them come to life.
The crowd got quiet when Ben started “Missing the War” one of their classic ballads.The set list varied from older fun songs like “Jackson Cannery” to the new electric-fused “Erase me”. They also made the room quiet again for new songs like “Sky High” “Landed” and “Thank you for breaking my heart”.
The mix of older fans and new were up front dancing and rocking out. When I went upstairs, it was very chill. People were just watching and seated, but still having a great time.
The band continued to break out classics like “Battle of Who Could Careless”, “Brick” and the get out of your seat song “Kate”. One of their funnier songs “Song for the Dumped” really got the band rocking out.
I would have to say the single coolest part of the show was their last song before encore. The band played their song “Army” and Ben steps away from his piano and directs the crowd to sing the melody part of it with a drumstick. He let everyone sing the end of it. You really could feel the love of the band, and the band enjoying their crowd.
They did an encore of “Magic” from (Reinhold Messner) and closed the show out with the fan favorite “Underground”. The band waved goodbye. It was a really fun show. The band was in top notch form. I am glad they are back and I hope they continue to make records and tour together when they can.
set-list :
Ben Folds Five ~ 10.9.12 Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY
Michael Praytor, Five Years Later
Missing the War
Hold the Thought
Jackson Cannery
Selfless, Cold and Composed
Erase me
Alice Childress
Sky High
Landed
Thank You for breaking my heart
Battle of Who Could Care Less
Do it anyway
Brick
Draw a Crowd
Narcolepsy
Kate
Song for the Dumped
Army
—encore–
Magic
Underground
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