Ben Folds: Anne Arbor

By F. Maynard (Armchair List)

Spoiler alert: Setlist below.

Ben played to a sold-out audience at the Michigan Theatre, his second visit to the historic and lovingly restored venue. And the show was one of his best. The audience was appreciative and for the most part were genuine fans who knew what they were in for -- and got it in spades. Lots of singing along and shout-outs in all the right places. Jared and Lindsay are well into the groove and flow and Ben is most comfortable putting on a killer show. He sounded good - his voice was on, playing was flawless, and full of energy.

The setlist:

- Narcolepsy
- Annie Waits
- Bastard
- Protection
- Losing Lisa
- Give Judy My Notice
- Gone
- Jesusland
- You to Thank
- There's Always Someone Cooler than You
- Trusted
- Still Fighting It
- Bitches Ain't Shit
[at this point, Lindsay and Jared left the stage]
- Brick
- Gracie
- Don't Change Your Plans
- Boxing
- One Down
[Lindsay and Jared back]
- Army
- Theme from Dr. Pyser
- The Ascent of Stan
- Landed
- Zak and Sara
- Rockin' the Suburbs
- One Angry Dwarf & 200 Solemn Faces

Encores:

- Missing the War
- Underground
- Not the Same

As has become customary, and one of the most fun parts of his shows, he led the audience in the vocal accompaniment to "Army" and "Not the Same".

I like all the old Majosha stuff and so it was great to hear "Protection," and "Pyser" was a real treat. "Underground" rocked, and he mentioned some guy from the Ann Arbor area who started a website and mailing list a long time ago...

They are off for a few days and then it's back at it. Go see the show if you can -- it's better than ever and you won't be sorry. And be sure to post your review afterwards.