After last year's Barenaked Ladies show in Vegas, I was keen to see them again. This time in a venue I'd never been at, and with Ben Folds Five, who I'd never seen before. Was pretty excited for the show.
However I would end up disappointed. The Uptown Amphitheater is a pretty good venue. We were in seats in the front two thirds of the venue, which was OK for music like this. But in a couple of weeks Queens Of The Stone Age are here and I'm not sure I want to see them in this venue, as general admission is either at the back or to the side of the stage. Not really what you want for a rock show.
Ben Folds Five came out to thunderous applause. They are from Chapel Hill, NC and not doubt have a huge fan base everywhere in this state. It kind of went downhill from there. While I don't know many of their songs, the further the set went on, the more people either lost enthusiasm and sat down, or left to get a drink. Music and voice hit some bad notes on a few occasions, and song selection was relatively low key. Obviously their"hits" Brick & Underground were a crowd favorite, but overall I was disappointed.
It took the Barenaked Ladies a while to warm up as well. A lot of new material to start the set and it wasn't until Be My Yoko Ono that the show really got started - that and the mention of Charlotte's own Prices Chicken Coop (BNL know how to play to a crowd). Brian Wilson was great as well as Big Bang. One Week is always a big favorite and $1000000 was a good ending. My highlight was the last song of the encore - Violent Femmes' Blister In The Sun. A fun rendition to a song everyone knows. Overall the night was OK, but Ben Folds Five was not what I expected, and the show wasn't nearly as fun as last years' with Blues Traveler.
However I would end up disappointed. The Uptown Amphitheater is a pretty good venue. We were in seats in the front two thirds of the venue, which was OK for music like this. But in a couple of weeks Queens Of The Stone Age are here and I'm not sure I want to see them in this venue, as general admission is either at the back or to the side of the stage. Not really what you want for a rock show.
Ben Folds Five came out to thunderous applause. They are from Chapel Hill, NC and not doubt have a huge fan base everywhere in this state. It kind of went downhill from there. While I don't know many of their songs, the further the set went on, the more people either lost enthusiasm and sat down, or left to get a drink. Music and voice hit some bad notes on a few occasions, and song selection was relatively low key. Obviously their"hits" Brick & Underground were a crowd favorite, but overall I was disappointed.
It took the Barenaked Ladies a while to warm up as well. A lot of new material to start the set and it wasn't until Be My Yoko Ono that the show really got started - that and the mention of Charlotte's own Prices Chicken Coop (BNL know how to play to a crowd). Brian Wilson was great as well as Big Bang. One Week is always a big favorite and $1000000 was a good ending. My highlight was the last song of the encore - Violent Femmes' Blister In The Sun. A fun rendition to a song everyone knows. Overall the night was OK, but Ben Folds Five was not what I expected, and the show wasn't nearly as fun as last years' with Blues Traveler.
The Crap Facts
This is my 357th concert.
Uptown Amphitheater is the 97th venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 9th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 9th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 165th concert in the USA.
Ben Folds Five are the 425th band I've seen
This is my 3rd Barenaked Ladies concert.
Uptown Amphitheater is the 97th venue I've seen a concert in.
This is my 9th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 9th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 165th concert in the USA.
This is my 3rd Barenaked Ladies concert.