Concert Review: Alec Benjamin (The Ritz Raleigh)

PHOTOS: BELLA DISTEFANO | WORDS: IPOLANI NISEWONDER

“This concert was auditory heaven.”

Matt Hansen was tonight’s opener for Alec Benjamin, and those two really know how to put on a performance while staying engaged with the audience. Matt’s harmonizing vocals had everyone mesmerized and it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen a crowd give the same energy to an opener as they tend to for the main performer. He knew how to pull in the audience with his heart-wrenching yet poppy performance for the harrowing tale of just learning to “Let Em Go” accompanied by some of the best instrumental ties with the chorus. Everyone could tell that he poured his soul into his performance and they gave the same fire back tenfold.

As for Alec Benjamin’s performance, this was incredibly and irrevocably phenomenal. The crowd hyped him up singing along and at one point he had gotten ahead of himself and had to start over but it was just an all-around good laugh. That’s the vibe Alec brought to the table: a “Different Kind of Beautiful.” Having opened with this song from his latest album 12 Notes, “I Sent My Therapist to Therapy,” this had the crowd immensely energetic and ready for more. Notably, there was a fan named Jackson who had gotten broken up with recently and Alec had dedicated the next song “The Book of You & I” to his situation while simultaneously melting everyone’s hearts. It was such a beautiful moment that brought a “Water Fountain” full of tears. At the end of the night, leaving off on a beautiful (12) Note(s) with the song “Paper Crown” was the cherry on top of the night. The set-up was simple and a sentiment to how little Alec needs to capture the audience's attention, but needless to say his third show back in North Carolina will sell out in a flash.

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BELLA DISTEFANO

Bella DiStefano splits her time between Graham, North Carolina and Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. While home for the winter, she spends her days enjoying family time and photographing concerts while her friends sing along in the crowd. In the summer when she escapes to the island, she works at a marina during the day and photographs portraits and engagement sessions during her favorite time, golden hour. When she isn't taking pictures, Bella enjoys reading, traveling, and creating wearable art.

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