Ben Howard

Ben Howard was incredible in the Three Arena in Dublin last night. I had heard a lot of rumours that he would only be playing songs from his most recent album, 'I Forget Where We Were'. It’s a great album but a lot of my favourite songs were from the prior album, 'Every Kingdom', which most people would be more familiar with.

So I was happily surprised when he came out last night and performed a brilliant set list with a perfect balance of both old and new songs. Ben Howard is quite shy in nature so there wasn’t much talking to the crowd aside from introducing the band, hello, goodbye and some lovely comments about how fun it was to perform in Dublin. This allowed the focus to be on the music for the whole night.

Everything was flawlessly performed; there was great chemistry between Ben and the rest of the band. Everyone on stage seemed to be having the time of their life (especially the drummer!), which in turn energised the audience. Naturally the strongest responses from the crowd were to his most popular songs such as ‘Keep Your Head Up’ etc. Other highlights were ‘I Forget Where We Were’ and ‘Black Flies’. Another that I hadn’t loved on the album but which turned out to be really good live was ‘Small Things’.

The encore was one of the most powerful I’ve ever seen. Ben returned to the stage solo, all the spotlight on him, and sang acoustic versions of three songs from 'Every Kingdom'. The band then joined him for the last two songs but it was clear from the crowd reaction that these were much lesser known and as a result, in my opinion it would have been a stronger ending if he had ended with the solo acoustic stuff.

However, overall it was a fantastic concert – it was my first time to see him live, and it definitely won’t be my last.

Where do I start?

This gig was tough to review. Musically Ben Howard offers so much. So much emotion and storytelling through his exquisite lyrics, crafted compositions and atmospheric stage productions would normally mean that no complaint can be made against such a talent.

However, the gig failed to land with the audience. To sell-out 4 nights at Brixton academy is testament to Mr Howard. He deserves the stage, but I feel the setting of Brixton attracted the wrong crowd. There were too many "first album only" gig-goers that obviously haven't followed Mr Howard's musical journey including a return to front of the stage with this new album of material. Therefore they chatted throughout the light and shade of the journeying set list. In fact, the disrespect shown is probably more a reflection of the want and need of the crowd to satisfy their social media status than enjoy living in the moment.

That said, I was again surprised that Mr Howard didn't really give two f*cks! A brief "Hello" and minimal looks to the crowd further irritated them as he continued to look down on his audience. I did think that he is only up their because of the fans, so he could have played to them a little more. But I never found out, as rather than put up with the couple in front's own rendition of "Only love", I went home, shut myself in a darkened room and stuck his back catalogue on the record player.

Safe to say I will not be seeking out to see Ben Howard again. Well, not until his Spotify crowd educate themselves beyond his 'Popular' songs and he as an artist remembers who put him there in the first place!

2/10

Let me start this by saying I am a huge Ben Howard fan and the Hammerstein Concert was the 2nd show we saw of his on this tour. The 1st show we saw was in Los Angeles. I also know this concert was for a tour that was set up to promote and support his new (3rd) album released this summer. With all that said, it was a disappointing show. Howard has made it well known he does not love playing songs from his 1st or 2nd album. It feels like he's going out of his way to prove a point by not playing more than 2-3 older songs out of a 14 or 15 song set. It's as if he's forgotten those who became fans in the 1st place. Everyone in the audience wants to hear them and the energy in the room changes completely when he does play an older song. People sing along, they hug those with them, everyone is smiling. You can literally feel the difference. And that lasts for 10 minutes then it's gone. At Hammerstein, people actually up and left the show, during the concert. Ben also left the Encore a song early, leaving his band on the state to finish the set, without him. It was quite awkward. Unless he changes it ways, it was likely the last show I will attend. I think it'd be valuable for him to understand, each concert is a chance to make an impression as it's likely someone's first ever concert and maybe someone's last. I've been to numerous concerts in support of a new album and the better acts always find a way to sprinkle in old and new.

Hammerstein itself is a great venue and I'd go back for sure. The sound is great and has a cool feel about it.

Devon's folk-pop baby, Ben Howard, has been managed to ride the coattails of his debut LP Every Kingdom since its release in 2011. Make no mistake, he deserves every morsel of success that has been shot his way, but given how monumentally well-received (both critically and commercially) it has been, he's been supporting on the road ever since. He's scarcely had time to work on a new record. This has, serendipitously, offered him the opportunity to hone his performance skills so that every set is slickly delivered and well-oiled – you'd think he'd have lost his raw edge by now, but his renditions are just as serrated as they've ever been. He's an expert at mesmerising festival crowds with his gutsy renditions of “Old Pine”, “Only Love”, “Keep Your Head Up”, “The Wolves” and “Black Flies”. Accompanied by a cellist and a full band, Howard's able to concentrate on sculpting gorgeous melodic ambrosia. His deft fingering, flamin' fretwork and firework-crackle voice carry weighty hooks, a kind of sensational gravity that only comes from truly special music. There's a semi-reverence to his shows as he serenades the oodles of fans; awestruck silence is a common gap-filler at Howard's shows. When he leads a shivering version of “Keep Your Head Up” however, anyone and everyone goes utterly wild. The term 'anthem' is bandied around a lot nowadays, but almost every bolt Howard fires is easily described as one.

Oh Ben.
One of my favorite artists of all time and a long and excited wait for the concert - which we traveled from Newcastle to Glasgow for.
There is no denying that Ben is a hugely talented artist and the performance he gave was almost a work of art with the combination of instruments and videos, however - it was not the performance the fans wanted! He came across as almost arrogant and not connected to the audience at all.
the SSE is a BIG venue and I came away exhausted due to the lack of energy - the new album is great but it's no Every Kingdom or I Forgot Where We Were.
when you see any artist you expect them to play a mix of all songs - we got the whole new album and 3 older songs - the last 15 minutes of the gig were the best by a mile.
I just feel lucky that I saw him perform in Newcastle years ago as this was to me the Ben Howard that I love to listen too.
Based on the performance I saw I would be reluctant to travel so far to see him again - however I would be fighting for tickets to see him perform an Every Kingdom show!
Overall - a disappointing show :(

The show was amazing, as expected.

He could have played more well known songs, but I can't really complain because he had a couple of evenings at Brixton Academy, back to back, so I guess he did not want to repeat himself. :)

One annoying thing was the O2 customers being put in a different line and let if before the other participants at the event, which was a bit unfair. I mean if you are there for a couple of hours and you are the first in line, you will not get in first, but someone that is on the O2 network will, although he might have arrived 20 minutes before the doors open.

Overall, I love the venue, the acoustic pretty good in there and Ben Howard was over the top amazing.

I would recommend the venue and off course, if you get a chance to go see Ben, please do so.

Seb

Having the opportunity to see Ben Howard perform live was an enchanting experience. I am from the States and ever since I was introduced to his music I was hoping and praying to see him live someday. This year when I moved to the Netherlands I was finally able to.
He is a modest and courteous performer. During one of the first songs he turned around in his chair facing his band and played with them which was cool to see. His band was also constantly swapping instruments with each other which was quite impressive.
One of my favorite moments of the night was when Ben started to get some feedback while playing "End of the Affair" right at the moment he was yelling the line, "what the hell"...it was fitting and despite the flaw he just went with it.

the last time I saw Ben Howard on a gig was in 2013 and it was good : good vibe, great energy; the show at first a bit slow took a great turn as is went by.

This year I found that, even if there were absolutely nothing to say about the crew and the band (great musicians) why to have so many if they don't even make a solo? Why even bother having 5 guitar playing at the same time if it's for not hearing their different sound?

When you play in a Band you always give a forward push about each individual, bit not this time.

Also, the show was slow and never took off. I think the public waited for more.

High expectations but sadly didn’t deliver.
Ben Howard hardly engaged with or acknowledged the crowd which made it difficult to feel involved. Played almost entirely new material despite a very postive response from the crowd when he occasionally played something from his first two albums.

It’s completely understandable that he’d want to share new material but to not realise people would also come to see favourites felt a bit self indulgent

I’d have to say it was the worst live music experience I’ve had and not at all worth the £40 paid.

As expected, the concert with Ben Howard and his band was a great pleasure to attend. He's a truly great singer, songwriter and most of all a great guitarist who masters his instrument with great commitment, a hard working dedicated musician to put it simply.

Ben is far away from making mainstream music, he digs deep and shares his dreams and sorrows with the audience, thus his music seems to be not for everyone, but who cares? Sound was for the most pics crystal clear as well, AAA+++, hope to have a chance to meet him again!