Concert Review: BENEE in Nashville, Tennessee

Alt-Pop princess BENEE made a stop in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 23rd in support of her sophomore album Ur An Angel I’m Just Particles, and I was lucky enough to attend. COVID summer was dominated by her viral hit ‘Supalonely’ with fellow alt-pop prince, Gus Dapperton, but her new music and live show solidified that she is more than a bright blip during a dark time.   

I scooted my way to the front of the crowd just in time for BENEE to take the stage. Her band took their places and noodled around before she bounced onto the stage in her tall, black fuzzy boots and glow-in-the-dark nail polish. She wasted no time getting into the groove with the beachy track ‘Sad Boiii.’ The crowd swayed and sang along with her as she solidified her breezy aura. The floor fan wasn’t hitting her quite right though, so she took matters into her own hands and adjusted it so her long hair cascaded her frame perfectly. On with the show!  

She had a playful and silly energy throughout the set, calling us “naught naughty” for being out on a Monday night and giggling intermittently. The fun she was having on stage transmitted evenly throughout the audience as it was one of the most pleasant crowd experiences I’ve had at a show in recent years. Ranging from teenage superfans to their grandparents, the audience was engaged, respectful and eager to listen, which was refreshing.

BENEE delivered crisp vocals on ‘Beach Boy’ and leaned into the powerful production of ‘Wishful Thinking’ - both favorites of mine that I got to scream with the new friends I had made in the crowd. I could tell each song had a special connection to different audience members throughout the set. She’s the type of artist that writes from a specific point of view, which pays off in sustaining a loyal fanbase. She may have a wistful presence on stage, but certainly not at the cost of important and tangible lyricism. 

While BENEE did not speak too much in between songs, we learned her favorite tree was a willow tree and she cracked open a Corona can during the instrumental break ‘Demons,’ an early 2000s pop song-esque track from the new album. She made the audience feel at ease and free to dance along with her without fear of judgement. Her individuality makes her fans feel like they can be themselves, with signs like “Lesbians 4 BENEE,” which she reciprocated graciously with heart hands. 

The vibrance of BENEE’s performance left even casual listeners wanting more. I highly recommend catching a show the next time she tours or at a festival - she delivers every time! 

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to stay up to date with Gen Admission 🎶