Ben Lee
Belconnen Arts Centre
12 April 2025
The best thing about seeing an artist live is that you are in the moment. It’s not a recording. It’s a once in a lifetime event, never to be repeated. You don’t always feel that when you go to one of the big touring shows. Understandably, they have big productions (lights, confetti, etc) which have to be the same night after night.
Which is why seeing an artist in a small venue can be such a treat. It takes confidence to play a show without a setlist and not make it feel like a gimmick, but that’s what Ben Lee did. Not only did the show “feel” unique. It definitely was unique. No two shows on this tour will be the same. After playing a few songs, he said “let’s open this up to requests”. But he also said “don’t request Catch my disease, or Cigarette’s will kill you… I’m going to play those. I’ve been in the business for 35 years… I know which side my bread is buttered on”.
I can’t think of a better quote to sum up the show. Usually when an artist plays a new song it’s a sign to head to the bar but when most of the set is obscure songs, you have to be pretty sure of your material and that you can hold the attention of the audience. He played songs from all the periods of his long career, from when he was a teenager, to when was dating famous actresses, to his side projects and also his 90s heyday.
Audience members got respect for requesting obscure songs, which he dutifully played. Sometimes he forgot the lyrics to these songs, but that was part of the charm. Watching him google them from the stage was very amusing. It definitely added to the show and created a sense of community.
He asked us if it was OK for him to forget the pretend “hide and seek” game of going off for an encore, and said that the next few songs would be “bonus songs”. They certainly were. That’s when he brought out his big hits. As he said, he knew what he was doing. It was definitely a show not to be repeated. But one I’d happily revisit anytime.
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