Ben Kweller takes the stage and sits down at his keyboard. The audience immediately quiets down as he plays “Thirteen”. “Had passionate makeouts and passionate freakouts / We built this world of our own / It was in the back of a taxi when you told me you loved me / And that I wasn’t alone”. It’s a beautiful start to the show. Afterwards he says how he always feels the love in Chicago. “You’ve always been there for me”, he says. “It’s going to be a sing-along tonight!” 

Later in the night, he plays “In Other Words”. “The butterflies are passive aggressive / And put their problems on the shelf but they’re beautiful”. This is such a gorgeous song and it sounds great tonight.

On bass today is Christopher Mintz-Plasse. He plays a right handed bass upside down. Many fans recognize him as an actor from Superbad and Kick-Ass. He is resistant to take a shot of Malort, which he did not enjoy the last time they were at Lincoln Hall. But eventually, he relents when they learn the venue doesn’t have Jager. 

Midway into the set, Ben talks about how his son, Dorian, who passed in February 2023 at the age of 16 (He died in a freak car accident), had started to write a song called “Trapped”. In a tribute, he finsihed writing it and they go on to play it. It’s a very heartfelt moment. The song will be on their upcoming album, Covering the Mirrors, which be released on May 30th, Dorian’s birthday. 

To close out the set, they play “Penny on the Train Track” from his self titled 2006 album.  “I’m just a penny on the train track / Waitin’ for my judgement day / Come on baby girl let me see those legs / Before I get flattened away”. This is such a great song with a driving beat. The energy in the room is fantastic.

To end the night, he thanks a few people in the audience including a local radio DJ who always played his music. He promises they will returns soon, possibly in 12 months, and then jumps into “Wasted and Ready”. This song is his most popular on Spotify with over 4.3 million streams. “She is a slut but ex thinks it’s sexy / Sex reminds her of eating spaghetti”.  He plays it with great passion and makes it a perfect finale.

See the full setlist here.

Cost of a ticket: $43

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Exceptional Value –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Quinn Delaney