Ben Harper

If the freezing weather wasn’t going to keep the fans away, nothing would. Back in the country after three years, Ben Harper has been proving time and time again that he knows how to put on one hell of a live show. Tonight was no exception.

The Entertainment Centre seemed almost empty for the support slot from Scott Thomas of the band Ringside, who did his best to involve and excite the placid crowd. The change-over was a quick procedure, with the stage ready to
be graced by Ben and the Innocent Criminals in no time. Many were still in the foyer, where Ben Harper’s face could be seen walking around in t-shirt form on the backs of loyal fans’, willing to dish out the $40. Just goes to show that if you sell merchandise that actually looks good punters may actually buy it. Back inside the house lights went down, the seats quickly filled up and the floor section packed in.

Walking onto the stage Harper and co. were straight into what would be a mammoth 2 hour set. The opening notes to “diamonds on the inside” floated through the massive venue, greeted by cheers of delight. With such an extensive back catalogue, the set list showed a great deal of variety encompassing Ben Harper’s distinctive mix of rock, soul and folk. The latest album – Both Sides of the Gun, is his seventh studio album and held a presence throughout the concert. The recent singles getting a work out later on in the show, while Get It Like You Like It went down better than a 3am kebab.

Kudos must go to Mr. Harper, who went to great efforts to connect with audience. Even though there were 9 000 strong surrounding me it still felt incredibly intimate. The simple backdrop of a white sheet projected with different colours, and only basic lighting accompanied the show. It was clear that this was a gig where the music was the most important ingredient, and Ben Harper and the band certainly knew how to make music. Though, by mid set the slide-guitar solos began to take over making for only a mildly amusing sight for some. Though every now and then a crowd pleaser popped up and gave punters that extra shot of adrenalin, Steal My Kisses being an obvious favourite. It was at this point the Innocent Criminals took steer of the ship and began to shine. Bass player, Juan Nelson and percussionist Leon Mobley were definitely stand-outs (not to take anything away from the rest of the band), and were on fire the whole night.

The multiple encores proved to be the highlight with Ben Harper exerting the same amount of energy required to run the London marathon into the show’s end. The jubilant Harper grabbed the microphone by its balls while belting
out Better Way. It was then crowd participation time, with every single soul in the Entertainment Centre pulling on their karaoke boots for Burn One Down. It was also evident, judging by the thick smoke clouds rising from the floor, that several hundred people were also in the process of burning one down and that the McDonald’s outside was sure to experience the midnight rush.

With hands bright red from enduring the hours of applauding and throbbing ear drums from the deafening volume of the whole gig, I walked away knowing I’d just seen one of the best, doing what they do best, at their very best.

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