I went into Beck’s show at The Met Philadelphia not knowing his new album very well. But I knew that wouldn’t matter because having followed him his whole career I knew that he always delivered. From the beginning, the stage had an almost campfire-like feel, and the first part of the show was atmospheric, mellow and completely captivating. The new songs sounded great live, even to someone who hadn’t spent much time with them yet. Each of Beck’s albums sets such a mood of its own, and I could tell that this one was no exception. It felt cozy and comfortable, almost like being invited into Beck’s little musical world for a while.
I knew I was in for a more mellow show, then about halfway through, Beck exclaimed, “Now it’s gonna get fun.” And it really did!
Somewhere around the middle of the show, the energy shifted and started to build. The mood went from intimate and almost dreamy to more upbeat and playful. Even Beck himself seemed to loosen up and get into it. You could feel the room shift from sitting back and taking it all in to getting ready to get up and dance! It was one of those moments where you could feel the entire audience become more engaged and you knew the second half of the show was going to be a different experience.
Then came “Lost Cause,” a song that has lived on my breakup playlist and gotten me through some difficult moments recently. Hearing it live was one of those unexpected concert moments where a song you’ve listened to a hundred times suddenly feels completely different. I felt like he was singing straight to me. It was probably the most personal moment of the night for me, and definitely one I won’t forget.
From there, the show turned into a big, funky dance jam. “Devil’s Haircut” brought the energy, and “Loser” became a full-on audience singalong, with a bunch of old heads like me happily yelling every word. It was impossible not to get caught up in it. By the end, everyone seemed to be having a blast, and the whole place felt like one big party.
By far, the highlight for me was the encore. The funkiest of them all, “Debra.” It’s my favorite song from Midnite Vultures, and what a glorious way to end the night. After the more introspective beginning, ending with that strange, sexy, completely ridiculous song felt like Beck reminding us that he can be whatever kind of artist he wants to be. And he’s stilly funky at his core!
I may not have known every song going in, but I left feeling like I’d experienced the full range of what Beck has to offer. He was thoughtful, weird, nostalgic, funny, funky and still delivered a great show filled with musical talent. And honestly, that’s what makes a great concert. You don’t have to know every song or even know exactly what to expect. You just have to be willing to go along for the ride. The best way to spend a Sunday night!
