I first heard Ben Harper in 1995 when my friend Kim made me a copy of Welcome to the Cruel World on a tape. That was all I needed. I was sold. I wore that tape out. And by 1999, when I began my freshmen year of college, a Ben Harper patch adorned my backpack—the lone signifier that distinguished my Jansport from the next.
In 1999, I saw Ben—with those spectacular Innocent Criminals—at The Riviera Theatre for two sold-out shows. And last week I returned to The Riv to photograph Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals. I know—full circle, right?
The knot of anticipation in my stomach vanished the minute the band walked on to the stage. Perhaps a touch more weathered since I saw them last, they nevertheless sounded as good as ever, which is no surprise given their layers of talent.
After I photographed the first three songs, I found a spot and just took in the remainder of the show. It was everything that I could’ve asked for: Ben’s unmistakable voice, the arcs of energy, the guitar solos, the acoustic set, Juan manhandling his bass, Leon’s beats, the seamless shifts in genre from song to song. I would’ve loved to hear some deeper cuts but I guess that’s the problem when you have thirteen studio albums—everyone wants to hear different tracks.
Ben let the music do the talking for him, saying little to the audience until the end, when he expressed his gratitude to the fans and his bandmates, “It’s a true pleasure to play with these gentlemen night in and night out. We are a true product of who we surround ourselves with and I’m in good company.”
The band is currently in the midst of a worldwide tour in support of their new album, Call It What It Is. Click here for tour dates.
SETLIST:
When Sex Was Dirty
Burn to Shine
Steal My Kisses
In the Colors
Shine
Excuse Me Mr.
Fight for Your Mind
Finding Our Way
Call It What It Is
Better Way
All My Heart Can Take / Mutt
Another Lonely Day
Diamonds on the Inside
Deeper and Deeper
Burn One Down
Dance Like Fire
Faded
Where Could I Go
Encore:
How Dark Is Gone
With My Own Two Hands
Goodbye to You
