{shortcode-19204d45ae2e1e9cceffd902f358d78f59f1877b}
Alec Benjamin is a singer-songwriter who needs to be protected at all costs. On top of being an incredible lyricist and performer, his Sept. 29 concert at Boston’s MGM Music Hall on his “12 Notes” tour showcased his kind, innocent, and sentimental persona.
Instead of a large majestic set full of backup dancers — like most pop concerts — the stage replicated Benjamin’s childhood bedroom with a bed, a desk with a frame of his dog, and a journal where he jotted down memorable notes, on theme with the tour title. Before his song, “Devil Doesn’t Bargain,” he narrated as he wrote a comedic addition to the journal, where he humorously thanked the lobster he ate before the show. His authenticity, high-pitched singing voice, and awkward yet endearing jokes made him relatable.
His opener, “I Sent My Therapist to Therapy,” may not be one of his strongest songs and is not representative of his discography as a whole, but in a live setting, this song was the perfect start to his concert. Its easy-to-scream hook encouraged audience participation, and its upbeat rap-like lyrics blended with dissonant countermelodies created a sense of anticipation and suspense, which energized and primed the audience for the rest of the set.
Much of the music Benjamin performed uniquely reflected other people’s lives, not just his own. “If We Have Each Other” began with the story of a 19-year-old girl facing the challenges of pregnancy, but despite her fears and difficult circumstances, she found comfort in knowing she would “never be alone,” as the song says, because her baby would be her anchor. The song then transitioned to focus on an elderly couple in a relationship full of compromises. Benjamin juxtaposed the ups and downs of marriage through contrasting lyrics that depicted love despite hardship, such as, “even when she made him angry he would never break her heart.” This touching song was made even more sentimental as Benjamin did a shout-out to his many family members who were in the audience.
Many of Benjamin’s songs covered dark tales of vulnerability, complicated relationships, and mental health. One fan favorite he performed was “Boy In The Bubble.” The song depicted graphic encounters with a physically abusive school bully. The lyrics detailed Benjamin’s black and blue face covered with blood from the boy’s ruthless punches. He personified his body parts to portray his extreme pain, saying his “chest was screaming / Mind was running.” “Boy In The Bubble” was the most rhythmic and rap-like song, reflecting the action-filled lyrics. One of the song’s most interesting aspects was how the word “bubble” was used in different contexts. In the lyrics, Benjamin referred to himself as “the boy in the bubble” trying to avoid conflict, then referenced “whiskey bubbles” to describe the bully’s drunk, abusive dad, and finally, a “broken bubble” that suggested Benjamin’s newfound understanding of the source of the bully’s violent tendencies.
Another concert highlight was when Benjamin performed stripped-down acoustic versions of some of his songs, showcasing his raw talent. This moment was reminiscent of the early days of his career when he would approach strangers on the street with his guitar and ask if he could play them a song. Among these acoustic performances, “The Book of You and I” stood out as the night’s most heartfelt and authentic part. The song resonated with the audience with lyrics like “you scribbled out my name, and you’ve erased my favorite lines” and “we never got to finish the book of you and I.” The song inspired everyone to pull out their phone flashlights and sway to the music.
As an encore, Benjamin closed the evening with his most famous song “Let Me Down Slowly,” which was about fighting a losing battle with his depression after a breakup. This song is more well-known because it appeals to the pop genre more than his other songs, with less wordy verses and repetitive choruses that are easier for listeners to absorb.
Many of Benjamin’s songs do not neatly fit into the typical pop style as the lyrics tend to be more intricate and story-driven. There was a noticeable shift in Benjamin’s performance between his less popular songs and his commercial pop hits. For his narrative songs, his emotion came through, and one could tell he felt every word. For his commercial songs, the performance became less about the song and more about connecting with the audience, leading to beautiful moments of unity.
More than a songwriter, Benjamin is a storyteller, and his amazing performance on Sept. 29 brought these stories to life. His poignant lyrics and conversational, narrative-focused music inspired deep reflection and revealed that he is a rare soul who observes everything and everyone around him.
