A couple weeks (and change) ago we reported that despite their other projects, Ben Folds Five were reuniting as part of MySpace Music’s “Front To Back” series to play The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner in its entirety at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Memorial Hall. We weren’t lying, it happened last night. It was Darren Jesse, Robert Sledge and Tim & Eric bud Ben F’s first performance together in almost a decade. So far we only have the words of hardcore fans to go by, but it sounds like they did a good job of it. Ben’s father even came out for “Your Most Valuable Possession” (in case you forgot, his message on Ben’s answering machine was used on this song on the album). According to the posts we’ve read, they didn’t play “Brick,” and one dude claims there was no encore, but then some other folks explained to him what it means to encore: “Everything after TUBORM was the encore. You know, you go off stage, you get some applause and you come back. That’s what they did.” This is what they played in addition to Reinhold Messner from front to back:
…[I]n some order:
“Jackson Cannery”
“Julianne”
“Eddie Walker”
“Where’s Summer B. ?”
“Selfless, Cold & Composed”
“Battle Of Who Could Care Less”
“Song For The Dumped”
There might be more: You can follow the expanding thread at Scout.com. Also, before you get excited about a full-blown reunion tour, Folds recently spoke to Rolling Stone:
“I kind of doubt it,” he said of future collaborations. “If something natural comes along again … but I’m booked up for the next three years. Darren just put a new record out, and Robert’s got a new baby. I don’t think anybody’s rushing to do that.”
Regardless, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for YouTube clips and see if we can better confirm/deny details from last night.
UPDATE: Indyweek confirmed the post-Reinhold Messner encore/set list:
“Jackson Cannery”
“Eddie Walker”
“Selfless, Cold & Composed”
“Battle Of Who Could Care Less”
“Where’s Summer B.?”
“Julianne”
“Song for the Dumped”
They also have some photos and a more in-depth review, if you’re interested.
[Photo by Emily Shur for Indyweek.com]
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Who fucking cares? Is this band relevant anymore?
Shut the fuck up Stinky! Am I that old now?
Well, I was interested enough to read it.
Apparently, you also cared enough to read about a band you don’t give a shit about, and also took the time to post about how much you don’t give a shit about them.
People like you confuse me.
You might be if you’re yelling like an old man in comments on the internet!
Time has not been kind to those three (particularly Darren & Robert).
Ah well, they could look worse. I actually think Ben looks better than he did back in the day, when he was fighting a losing battle with his receding hairline.
Great album, by the way. Got me through the first year of uni, was crushed when they broke up. Even if they don’t have plans to get together again straight away, at the very least I hope this concert was a good enough experience for them to bring back the Five sooner than later.
We can’t look like we’re 26 years old forever….. unfortunately.
darren looks like a bearded eugene mirman and robert looks like corn mo.
Classic album – and it has always felt like a Fall record [so the concert timing is special]. Anyone who cares for the record would wonder how they would “recreate” “Your Most Valuable Possession” – still not sure what they did there [anyone.. ]
Hotel Lights are quite superb as well. Carry on.
Haha, Ben’s dad walked out to the center of the stage – transcript of message in hand – and read off of it while the boys played their jazz behind him. Great moment. Great concert. The best part for me was when Darren dedicated Amelia Bright to Ben and Robert during his Hotel Lights set. A surreal moment for a superfan.
Goodness – *chills*. Any footage? Thanks for the update//
I’ve got footage of YMVP but it’s pretty shit. I haven’t uploaded it to youtube yet, but soon I will.
Someone should mention that this photo was taken after the show, hence them looking a little rough around the edges.
The show was absolutely fantastic. Absolutely. So glad I actually got to see them live.
they look like a bunch of losers you might see lurking in the alleyway behind a KFC in Atlanta.
Spend a lot of time lurking in Atlanta alleyways do you?
hey, morons think it’s cool to shit on ben folds five. how bout that?
hey, morons think it’s cool to defend them too. shocking.
So, basically any conversation about Ben Folds Five is between morons? Is that what you are saying? Or just those that think its cool to make a statement about them (good or bad)?
The band did do an encore, but we clapped for 30 minutes in hopes of a second and were disappointed. It was still a great show and I was happy to be a part of it.
Honestly, please stop posting about this band…it makes you guys look really shitty. Funny stuff about Britney Spears or Kanye West I get, but this is just confusing. Are you going to start posting about Better Than Ezra, Marcy’s Playground, The Offspring…please let this band die it slow and horrible death it deserves.
DIdn’t the band already die years ago? This would be more like ‘in remembrance’.
And wouldn’t that make you one who is beating a dead horse?
what are you 15 and think HEALTH is the best band ever?
The difference is that Better Than Ezra, Marcy’s Playground, and The Offspring have no musicianship or transcending talent. Or not nearly as rabid of a fanbase. Do you see them on Conan anymore (if ever)?
Also, “terrordome” is your username? Really? Yeah, that makes me think you like quirky alt-pop piano rock. Isn’t Chuck D only doing stock music for commercials now?
Better Than Ezra doesn’t get the respect they deserve. Pick up “Deluxe” or “Friction, Baby”.
Try to listen beyond the singles. They’re more than just “Good” and “Desperately Wanting”.
Your comments are absolutely irrelevant.
This band was one of the first real quality bands i started listening to when i was a kid. Their talent and creativity is undeniable. I have been playing piano for over ten years and I am blown away by Ben Folds and what he can do, and even though he does have his solo career, most of my favorite songs between BFF and Ben Folds are actually ones by BFF. if you can listen to the intro to “Philosophy” and remain unimpressed, hear the crowd chiming in during the live version of “Army” without getting chills (or pangs of jealousy because how AWESOME would that be to be part of something as huge as that), listen to “best imitation of myself”,”jackson cannery”,”battle of who could care less” – actually, almost any song off of Whatever&Ever Amen – and not find it amusing or relatable, even a little bit… you’re obviously soulless. or maybe you just have no appreciation for talent. the music these guys made was an innovative blend of classical and jazz and pop that i have yet to find in any other group to the extent that it exists here. it is too bad that they were not more of a commercial success than they were, however, i honestly was not even aware that was the case until i read articles about this show. I know so many people who were just as touched by this music as i was, and i am positive that it continues and will continue to change people’s perceptions of what good music is, and what pop music can be, now and in years to come.