Ben Folds September 13th Symphony Hall

October 13, 2009

When news broke that Ben Folds was playing with Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, it did not come as much of a surprise. Folds' songs are all about dynamics and expressions, which is what an orchestra does best. Because of the expressiveness of his songs, Folds is also one of film industry's favorite pop artists to work with, not to mention he wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to music.

On arrival at Symphony Hall, the wide range of the crowd was surprising. It felt like a representation of Boston population. From skinny jeans wearing hipsters to mid-age men in suits, the show seemed to have attracted every kind of demographic from every age group.

Folds walked out on the stage in all-black attire that matched the orchestra's tuxedoes, and the crowd cheered out loud from their anticipation and excitement. During the first a couple songs, Folds explored the space he had in the orchestra. Although they were his songs, his melodies, and his words, Folds did not try to take over the stage. Instead, he shared the show with Pops as if it was a giant band. His emotions and stories were coming out in the most modest-yet-honest way, and the crowd reacted instantly by cheering and singing along.

Into his fifth song, Folds' presence started to take over the stage. He played songs that had personal anecdotes to them such as "Ascent of Stan," and "Landed," and the Pops took the dynamics of Folds' songs and amplified them magnificently. By the time he was playing a song for his daughter, "Gracie," Folds had complete control over the crowd. He had the evident power to move the crowd, and as if hypnotized, the full-house audience laughed and cried to his words. During "Not the Same," Folds even taught the audience the three-part harmony from his song "Not the Same," letting the crowd experience the song as a full.

About three quarters through the set, Folds shared with the audience that he had been working on a new album with High Fidelity author, Nick Hornby. Boston Pops members put their instruments down to let Folds play two new songs from the album by himself. Even though the full sound of the orchestra was gone, the energy of the previous songs carried on, and left listeners with the impression that Folds' music inherently has the power to move people. A symphonic orchestra helped Ben Folds express his sound, but it was ultimately the presence of Folds himself that enticed the audience.

Folds ended his set with "One Angry Dwarf and Two Hundred Solemn" and retired to the backstage. However, the audience kept calling and cheering for him, encouraging him to come back out without Boston Pops to play some fan favorites such as "The Luckiest," and "Army." The encore brought out the rock 'n' roll side of Ben Folds' shows that the Pops were covering up, and everyone got up and danced in order to let out the energy they had been containing the entire night. The audience energy peaked during the last song of the night "Rockin' the Suburbs," highlighting everyone's night by dropping the F-word on top of their lungs in Symphony Hall.

Attendees left the venue feeling both energized and inspired. Ben Folds fed his crowd a genuine, raw musical experience that only comes to town once in a while.

-Lily Jeong