Alec Benjamin @ MGM Music Hall

Alec Benjamin took to the stage at MGM Music Hall in Boston on September 29th, 2024 continuing his ‘12 Notes’ tour. Opening the night was Matt Hansen.

Matt Hansen

The night’s opener, Matt Hansen, played to a roaring crowd who sang along to his setlist as if he was the headliner. For fans who stay up to date on music socials, you’ve probably heard of Matt or seen his videos. His music career took off over TikTok and Instagram, performing his favorite covers and original songs. Also as an early fan of Matt’s, it was an exciting experience to sing along to his set with such a supportive crowd. Boston will be sure to keep an eye on Matt as his career continues to develop!

Alec Benjamin

Alec Benjamin put on an authentic, signature style performance at MGM. He performed a mix of tracks, new and old. Also including some of his biggest hits like ‘Devil Doesn’t Bargain’ and ‘Jesus in LA’. Alec’s stage set-up complemented his storytelling. With a bed, window frame, lamps, and other room decor that he says mimic his bedroom at home. Additionally, Alec’s production felt more intimate through its creative appearance and musical qualities.

I first heard Alec’s music through his 2013 song, ‘I Won’t Forget You’. The song comes from a project titled, ‘Mixtape 1’ and ties well with many of his songs and stories about emotional depth and loss. Also it differs for its more rugged lyrical nature and raw backtrack. Today, this song isn’t readily available on streaming platforms, to the disappointment of many early fans. Whether it’s due to issues with the label or changes in his discography and sound, the music community is unsure. Since 2013, Alec has pushed out several more complete projects, including most recently, ‘12 Notes’ from 2024.

Attending the concert, I was pleasantly surprised by Alec’s charisma and ability to connect with the crowd. Accompanied by band mates through much of the set, Alec also mixed it up with some solo, acoustic performances, emphasizing the simplicity of his guitar and vocals. He stopped periodically through the set, offering anecdotal messages about his journey and experience as an artist.

Over the length of his tour, Alec takes time during each performance to write a note or two on stage, in reference to his ‘12 Notes’ album release. These notes could be about a funny thought that comes to mind during his performance, or something unique about the night’s venue and location. Notably in Boston, Alec read aloud a note made out to lobsters, inspired by his lunch earlier that day. “Dear lobsters, thank you…” he read aloud as the crowd laughed along.

Additionally, Alec’s emotional sincerity and authentic performance reflected his music style and character very well. Even in a larger venue, he found ways to create a connected community of strangers, unified by his music.

The performance in Boston marks the middle of Alec’s ‘12 Notes’ tour as he heads to the West Coast and then to Europe/UK for a lengthy run of shows.