Robbie Thomas
Ben Böhmer at Royal Oak Music Theatre
This was the very first time I had been to an Electornica show. I have been listening to Progressive House, Melodic House, Hard Trance, Techno, and similar genres lately and have also made YouTube compilations. I had intended to see Nora En Pure in Detroit in May 2023, but she was coming by during my friend’s birthday, so I couldn’t make it.
I’m quite used to seeing bands, so a dude playing with knobs with some piano and keyboards on occasion was a first for me. Minus, of course, seeing Insane Clown Posse in 2001, also at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. If I remember correctly, it was ICP and Twizted on stage, and the music man, Mike E. Clark, was in the middle of the venue at the controls. But I could be wrong; it was 24 years ago, just about. Also, Howard Jones occasionally performs with a drum machine, and his opener Migre Ure used a drum machine throughout his performance.
One of my favorite singers, John Payne (formerly of Asia), used to complain about these electronic performances on Facebook. Not sure if he still does to this day. I’m not on Facebook much, and I don’t see posts from him often.
Opening for Mr. Böhmer was CRi. I have heard the song Dark In This Room and took a liking to it, buying it on 7ditigal. I don’t recall hearing that song in CRi’s performance on this day. Watching CRi just play with knobs and dancing was my first time paying money to see this. I think he did a good job, regardless.
Mr. Böhmer did show up just a couple minutes late of his 9 pm arrival. As said, he did have a piano and keyboards with his mixing board. He did stir the crowd, and I think his performance was great. But I was familiar with two songs he performed, Rust and Best Life, the second mention was included in the Encore. Sadly, the singer Jonah wasn’t available to sing along. Rust has a female singer, and they just played her voice. I’m not trying to be a stingy bitch, I know Mr. Böhmer and most electronica artists use different singers and they can’t be available to be at each performance.
Little disappointed that Run Away wasn’t played. That’s the first song I heard from Mr. Böhmer.
I don’t mind watching those performances when it comes to electronic artists and what little they do compared to full bands on stage. But I also agree with these folks who complain about how people pay to see these performances. The ticket to this was about $35. Most weeks, I make more than that in passive income, so I don’t mind spending money that falls on my lap for this. But I wouldn’t pay $100 or more for this.
I met a couple at this concert. I didn’t get their names, but the male was born in 1973. I told him I was furiously exploring the world of House and Trance music and that I took a liking to Rush. His eyes lit up, and he told me Rush was one of his “top three.” He said he had seen them quite a few times himself. Besides him, there were very few people around who looked older than me.
I ate at a place called La Feast. I was originally gunning for Bouklie’s Grill, but it was Carryout only—bummer! I had Hard Cider at Tom’s Oyster Bar and got to watch some baseball. The Tigers weren’t going to play until 7 p.m. EST at Dodger Stadium, so I got to watch the Yankees against the Brewers. While I was there, they played “I Saw The Light” by Todd Rundgren. God damn, I hate that song. I drunkly and kindly asked the barmaid to change the “station” if possible. She smiled and said she couldn’t. I told her the song reminded me of Ozark, she and another waitress laughed their asses off.
After that, I heard Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Oh, What a Night (December 1963).” Personal favorite!
