Last night, an amazing performance was delivered by singer-songwriter Ben Howard at the United Theatre on Broadway. At 6:40 pm, nearly 20 minutes before the show, a line of a hundred eager fans waited as it stretched down the block. The LA atmosphere was lively, in which people in line were grabbing food and drinks from nearby vendors while chatting excitedly about the night ahead.
As the doors opened promptly at 7:00 pm, fans were able to be ushered to their seats by attentive ushers, while another massive line snaked through the lobby as fans clamored to buy Ben’s merch including shirts, albums and posters. As guests continued to be seated, servers made their rounds, offering popcorn, snacks and drinks to the steadily growing crowd. Upbeat melodies were playing over the speakers as fans filed in, notable songs like “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles set a nostalgic tone. The stage was already set with a striking array of multiple keyboards, synths, guitars and a drum set.
By 7:30 pm, the theater room was quickly filling up, as the lights dimmed at 8:00 pm. The opening act, Lael Neale, took the stage in a shimmering sparkly dress. The stage was enveloped in red and purple lights, with fog swirling around as her ethereal vocals filled the room. Lael’s music moved seamlessly between somber ballads and upbeat, fast-tempo tracks. Her performance began with a piano melody, her voice weaving eerie tales of life, death and the spaces in between. Lael was accompanied by a bassist who also played keyboard, which added a depth of different sounds to the performance. Both artists were passionate about playing, in which the bassist, at one point, spun energetically around the stage, strumming his guitar while Lael moved to the rhythm.
Lael’s soothing voice carried over the heavy synths and keyboard riffs. One of the standout moments of her set was when Lael did a solo song and played the bass herself. This song took a break from the synths, in which the audience got to hear Lael hit powerful high notes that left an echoing cheer from the crowd. She concluded her set by expressing her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to open for Ben Howard, and how she was able to perform on his previous tour. She left the crowd energized and ready for Ben.
After a brief intermission, during which fans took the chance to grab more snacks and drinks, the lights dimmed at 9:02 pm. A futuristic synth sound filled the air as Ben Howard and his band took the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers as Ben was spotted with acoustic guitar in hand. The band’s performance was a masterclass in musicality, with members effortlessly switching between instruments for each song. Each song had a different set of flashing, colored lights, visuals and laser effects which enhanced the music and their stage presence. Multiple stunning visuals came along with instrumentals, where psychedelic designs danced across the screen behind the band. Each song had a mesmerizing backdrop that related to Ben’s lyrics. Ben sang over 15 diverse songs; notable ones like “Walking Backwards” brought a more alternative and upbeat energy to the performance. It was clear that this track resonated with many fans.
Other songs like “Diamonds” had opening chords that sounded peaceful compared to his other experimental rock. The song’s infectious melody and uplifting lyrics were easy to listen to as Ben sang the folk tune. Ben played an acoustic guitar on this track which was a testament to his ability to play multiple instruments and craft songs from different genres. Throughout the night, Ben seamlessly blended folk elements with modern sensibilities. Ben showcased not just his versatility, but also his deep understanding of rhythm by playing multiple instruments.
Another memorable song of the night was “Moonraker” in which the song’s simple but driving beat had cool edited visuals of Ben jumping around on stage. “Moonraker” had the atmosphere in a dreamlike world with experimental synths, adding depth to the song’s soundscape. The stage was bathed in an otherworldly glow that transported the audience to another world. The ambient sounds and visuals created an introspective mood leaving the audience in a reflective trance.
A highlight of the night was a tune that evoked the feel of songs from Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” With the stage basked in purple light “Interim of Sense” was a powerful and emotional peak of the night. Howard’s delivery was raw and moody, which carried weight and meaning. It was again amazing to see Howard switch between acoustic and bass. As Ben played his acoustic guitar, the spotlights aimed towards him, creating a moment of introspection amidst the high-energy set. The audience was completely immersed.
The band played extended instrumental sections, showcasing their musical ability to rock out. The lighting shifted to a vibrant mix of blues and purples, creating a visual backdrop that matched the song’s tempo. In between songs, Ben had quick interactions with a couple of fans in the crowd and joked about the traffic in LA. The show was coming to an end, in which Ben performed his last songs. Ben concluded by singing “Spirit” which was the first time he had the crowd stand. His fans swayed back and forth and were able to dance at the end of the night. Ben picked up a beer and gave a cheers to the crowd at the end of the song. The crowd went wild as he bowed and gave thanks to members in his band.
Fans continued to whistle and cheer after they left the stage. Nobody was leaving, everyone wanted to hear more and kept on yelling for Howard. The crowd went on to cheer for a whole minute and a half until Ben came back out, growing even louder as he decided to play a couple more songs. Fans are still standing and dancing as Ben sings “Promise” and “Little Plant,” both songs showcasing his experimental side. These last two songs were lip-synched but it was still mesmerizing to see Ben play his guitar with the rest of his band. These last songs had the crowd the most energetic they’d been, as everyone was standing up and moving to the beat. The band joined in for a rousing finale as the show drew to a close. The night ended with a standing ovation, cheers and whistles echoing through the theatre as Ben and his band took their final bows. Ben Howard successfully put on another great show in which his diverse repertoire of musical ability was showcased.
By 10:50 pm, the theatre was slowly clearing out as fans made their way to the merch table for one last souvenir. The night was outstanding, Ben Howard’s performance left a lasting impression on everyone there.
Setlist
Ben Howard
- Days of Latana
- Walking Backwards
- Moonraker
- Interim of Sense
- Follies Fixture
- Crowhursts
- Nica Libres
- Someone in the Doorway
- Small Things
- Forget WWW
- Diamonds
- Richmond Ave
- Couldn’t Make it Up
- Spirit
Encore
- Promise
- Little Plant
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