As famous actor Ben Barnes finishes up the American tour of his album Where the Light Gets In, setting his sights on Europe to spread his love there as well, it’s only fair we get right down to everything I loved about it. When a famous star goes on into a music career the transition is usually a little weird, but his was not.
To give background Barnes had earlier teased the album in December, before releasing it four days before I saw him here in Portland. During those four days I had binge-listened to it and sang along during the concert.
His band members are the most talented people I have ever seen. Charles Jones, Sophia James, Zoe Sparks, Paul Hammy and Aaron Childs, I love you all. Witnessing Jones, Childs and James as openers, I was captivated to say the least, and my friend had been recording my heart rate the entire time as it continued to sky-rocket shooting up to 186.
I had been following the making of the album closely from Barnes’ Instagram and felt as if I was connected to these people. Not to mention the crowd, I’ve walked into concert halls before but never have I felt perfectly at home. I conversed more easily with people at this concert than anywhere else.
When Barnes actually came out, he performed every single song off the album, which I knew every word to. I am nothing if not a lover of music, and a Barnes fan especially. It has been perfect and ever-growing since the album Songs for you along with the romantic-comedies Jackie & Ryan and Easy Virtue that he sings in. I think he’s built for it.
This recent album feels way more heart-breaking, like the songs from La-La-Land that are structured to hit you where it hurts and leave a lasting impact. He brought back the “Pirate song,” from his Songs for You album; the cover song of “Like a river,” was also brought back. Both are popular hits for him, and besides the rest of his now album, the most energetic performances in his set.
The epilogue, epiphany, and encapsulation of heart-wrenching beauty in this album has brought me back from my slump of “let’s listen to Stevie Nicks and Mott The Hoople every-day since nobody else is cool…” He is perfection, he is grace, and he might Karate-Kick you in the face. (If you know, you know.)
His most popular song from the album, “Beloved,” most loved for the lyrics: “Tip to toe, your every breath/Make me believe in life after death/You are beloved, so be lovеd.” It makes sense since Barnes has always been one to remind people they are loved, through being kind and affectionate to co-stars and colleagues or playing around with fellow musicians. At this show, he walked on stage towards James & Sparks while singing the chorus.
The best part of the concert for me, however, was the song “Take Me To The Moon.” This was when I felt every single band member got their time, especially Childs and Hammy, with a guitar solo that stole my soul from me and a brief drum one. I believe I ascended during it. My heart rate was 113, to say the least. I think about that moment several times a day, one could say it’s my “roman empire” of the night.
Last, but with sweetness, was his encore of the night. Just as soon as I had thought he wasn’t going to play his most popular song “11:11,” here he came back on stage. And the second his hands hit the piano, I screamed in joy. That was when my heart rate hit a whopping 186, and I had somehow run two marathons, but it was so worth it!
While following this tour on Instagram and watching him really love and appreciate every venue he goes to, my fondness for his music grew. Live, laugh, love Ben Barnes.
