MAGICAL, INCREDIBLE, AMAZING! All of these are words that
could be used to describe Breaking Benjamin’s acoustic tour performance at The
Grand Opera House in Wilmington,DE this past Friday night (10/24/14). It may
have seemed like forever since Breaking Benjamin fans had something relevant to
be excited about, but that was all about to change. After their last record “Dear
Agony” was released in 2009 the band went on a hiatus in mid 2010 for various
health and then legal reasons. This came as a huge blow to fans of the band as
it appeared that the band had broken up. For die hard fans like myself the ensuing 4 years would feel like an eternity. To the delight of many on Aug
19, 2014 the band released a teaser video announcing the return of Breaking
Benjamin along with an abbreviated acoustic tour. The bands lineup received a
complete overhaul, introducing 4 brand new members in addition to front man Ben
Burnley.
Now back to the show…shortly past 8pm the venue lights faded into darkness
and the stage lights came up. The crowd roared in approval and the band took the
stage for the sold out audience. The set began with songs “So Cold” and “Follow”.
After the completion of the first couple songs Burnley looked into the crowd
and exclaimed “I don’t think I’ve ever played to a seated crowd before”, as The
Grand is an intimate and fully seated venue. At that, a hand full of people in
the first few rows stood and yelled. Burnley pointed and shouted “Now that’s what
I’m talking about! This is a rock show!” The remainder of the crowd followed
suit and rose to their feet, screaming as loud as they could be. The band
continued into the remainder of a 26 song set that lasted an incredible 2
hours. After a few songs you could easily forget that you were, in fact, at an
acoustic performance (as I did) as the band played in full with their usual
heavy style, only with acoustic guitars instead of plugged in electric ones.
The band played with such high energy. Burnley
shook hands, gave high fives/fist bumps, and threw out picks to the elated
crowd throughout the set. He even hopped off stage into the crowd during “Evil
Angel” and began taking selfies, giving hugs, and being one with the audience,
all while still performing. After the initial end of the set the band returned
to a chanting crowd for a 4 song encore.
When all was said and done the band
exited the stage leaving the sold out venue extremely satisfied with their
experience. After the show a large group of, what I estimated to be about
60-70, people waited out back of the venue hoping to snag a picture or an
autograph from members of the band. Everyone who stayed was rewarded with exactly that. New members,
drummer Shaun Foist and bassist Aaron Bruch were the first two to greet the crowd.
They hung out for the better part of an hour while taking photos, signing
items, and chatting up the fans. Shortly after guitarists and also new members
Keith Wallen and Jasen Rauch did the same. Lead vocalist Ben Burnley was the
last to exit. The tour manager politely asked all the remaining fans to line up
against the wall single file. Burnley proceeded to walk the entire line so to
meet each and every fan who waited to meet him, signing items, taking pictures,
and taking a minute or two to talk with each person, a true class act.
SETLIST:
So Cold
Follow
Unknown Soldier
Break My Fall
Simple Design
Blow Me Away
Water
Polyamorous
All Apologies (Nirvana cover)
Away
Shallow Bay
Give Me A Sign
Home
Breath
Them Bones (Alice In Chains cover)
I Will Not Bow
Until The End
Forget It
Prison Sex (Tool cover)
Evil Angel
Lights Out
Diary Of Jane
ENCORE:
You
Here We Are
Sooner Or Later
Rain
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