Ben Lee is smiling, seducing the audience’s gaze with his bright pink shirt. The intimate Howler provides a cosy mood for an acoustic set, as Lee promises to spruik a handful of new songs. The songs are sweet and poppy and give much away as to where he is currently at as an artist and a man.
Accompanied by guitarist Dave Rogers and keyboardist Sophie Koh, a cheerful Ben Lee wasted no time thanking everyone for coming and launching into the aptly titled Begin from his 2005 release Awake is the New Sleep. He followed up with the brooding Gamble Everything for Love, before introducing some new songs from his soon to be released album Love is the Great Rebellion. These were well received by a crowd predominantly filled with long time fans of the artist – this could be gauged by the frequency at which couples turned to each other throughout the evening with that ‘this is our song’ look on their faces.
What seemed to secure interest in the fresh material were the competing themes that also somehow managed to work together so well. One song was titled Happiness, while another was called Everybody Dies. Ben Lee is undeniably an expert lyricist, using plays on words and a sophisticated grasp on language to express his ideas, while also still allowing them to be easily accessible for the listener.
The affable performer fleshed out the remainder of his almost two-hour long set with fan favourites from 1998’s Breathing Tornados. Cigarettes Will Kill You still arguably stands up as Lee’s finest moment, with that ‘I wish I could say that everyone was wrong’ refrain providing a perfect opportunity for the crowd to join in and sing along, and Ben encouraged that kind of involvement warmly, inviting a fan and her iPhone onstage to help him remember the lyrics and provide harmonies to Birthday Song.
This was a good insight into how his relationship with his fans motivates Ben Lee to be the sunny and generous performer that he is, and that is what made for a lovely experience tonight for loyals and newcomers alike.
BY ERIN HILL
Loved: The love in the room.
Hated: Fans who tried to turn the show into their own personal meet and greet.
Drank: Tanqueray and tonic.
