Oregon Music News: Oregon’s all-genre music magazine since 2009

01/21/2025

Through the Eyes of a Preteen: Ben Barnes at the Crystal Ballroom / Photos and video

By SYDNEY AND MIKE LEWIS // It was  a refreshing departure from our usual focus on metal concerts, aligning with her desire to explore a broader range of musical experiences. Of course, we’ll find ourselves back in a metal photo pit soon enough—dodging crowd surfers and capturing the energy of spinning hair. However, this year, my goal is to expand her opportunities by attending a wider variety of shows, helping her continue to grow and refine her skills as a photographer.

Welcome to 2025. This new year brings a host of new shows to cover, and I am excited to reintroduce my photography protégé to the photo pit.

With the start of the new year, Sydney will revisit an essential lesson I’ve emphasized throughout her journey in concert photography: the importance of diversifying her portfolio. As I’ve noted in past discussions, I’ve often taken her into photo pits for performances by artists whose music doesn’t particularly resonate with her. Over time, as she’s matured, her musical preferences have begun to differ from mine. While she still appreciates some of the metal bands we photograph together, she’s also exploring new genres and discovering artists on her own—many of whom I don’t necessarily share the same enthusiasm for.

Unfortunately, many of the artists she currently enjoys often perform at venues where she’s not yet eligible to photograph. This presents an opportunity for her to adapt and broaden her skills further, capturing a wider variety of performances and styles to grow as a photographer.

This year began with an invitation to cover a show I was aware of but hadn’t given much thought to initially. Many people recognize Ben Barnes for his work in film and television, with notable roles in The Chronicles of Narnia, The Punisher, and Westworld, among others. However, Barnes also has a passion for music.

Historically, actors transitioning into music have had mixed success. Examples like William Shatner, Bruce Willis, and Joe Pesci come to mind—none of whom made a significant impact in the music world. On the other hand, some actors have successfully carved out credible musical careers. Johnny Depp, Taylor Momsen (best known musically for her work with The Pretty Reckless and year prior as Cindy Lou Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas), and Kiefer Sutherland, who has established himself as a talented country musician, serve as examples of successful transitions from acting to music.

Where The Light Gets In marks Ben Barnes’ debut album, and he embarked on a tour leading up to its release. Unfortunately, some dates had to be canceled due to the wildfires in Los Angeles. The tour featured a unique approach to its lineup, including three opening acts before Barnes took the stage. Initially, I was concerned about the potential length of a show with so many performers. However, security clarified that each opener would perform a concise 15-minute set before Barnes’ performance. Notably, all three openers are members of Ben Barnes’ band, adding a cohesive and collaborative dynamic to the evening.

Aaron Childs opened the evening at the Crystal Ballroom with a selection of solo acoustic songs that highlighted his talent in this stripped-down format. However, his broader body of work reveals a deep sense of musical nostalgia, with tracks that blend a modernized approach to 1970s soul. It’s a sound that evokes a bygone musical era. Sophia Jones followed, delivering a dynamic performance built around live sample loops. Having worked with electronic music in the past and often creating samples for my own projects, I have a deep appreciation for the skill it takes to produce live samples—both vocally and on the keyboard. Executing that seamlessly in a live setting requires immense talent, and Jones excelled. Sydney was particularly impressed and expressed her excitement at the chance to meet Sophia when she made a brief appearance at the merch table.

Charles Jones was the final performer prior to Ben making his appearance and while she might not have stated it outright, I believe Sydney also enjoyed his performance. Charles also is an incredibly talented performer, keeping things simple with just a keyboard and vocals. He has a great deal of range that was outstanding and it became very obvious why these three individuals, among the others in the band, were selected by Ben. Solo, they are all amazing but when you get them together as a band, you have a very unique blend of talent. There were times when Sydney was asking me questions about the different performances and my thoughts on them to which I would start to elaborate on what made them good. I think in her mind, she often sees dad as being this person who just listens to metal and to an extent, that’s true. Most often when she steps into the car it’s not uncommon to hear some intense metal band, usually with a drum beat that goes beyond what one would think is humanly possible, but she also doesn’t really understand my musical roots. Things like Johnny Cash, The First Edition, Glenn Miller, Billie Holiday and even Bent Fabric were all part of what I listened to growing up. So, regardless of what she might hear me listening to now, I do have a more diverse musical background than what she believes.

Ben Barnes is a prime example of an actor successfully transitioning into music. Once he took the stage, it was easy to forget his extensive film and television career. His charisma and engaging presence captivated the audience, seamlessly balancing lighthearted moments with a commanding performance. Barnes’ music often carries a nostalgic undertone, blended with the nuanced songwriting of contemporary indie rock. His ability to draw inspiration from past musical eras while crafting a sound uniquely his own is impressive. This approach not only highlights his artistry but also contributes to the revitalization of the music industry by reimagining timeless styles.

Overall, I believe Sydney genuinely enjoyed the show. It was also a refreshing departure from our usual focus on metal concerts, aligning with her desire to explore a broader range of musical experiences. Of course, we’ll find ourselves back in a metal photo pit soon enough—dodging crowd surfers and capturing the energy of spinning hair. However, this year, my goal is to expand her opportunities by attending a wider variety of shows, helping her continue to grow and refine her skills as a photographer.

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