On June 20th, 2014 Beck performed before a packed crowd at the Lifestyles Community Pavilion in Columbus. Beck, who came to prominence with "Loser" in the 1990s, has continually produced albums of high quality and varying styles for the past two decades.
Sean Lennon's touring band "The Ghost of Saber Tooth Tiger" opened up for Beck. Songs from his new album have a heavy Beatle influence in the style of "Dear Prudence" and "Cry Baby Cry" from the White Album. During his set, Lennon spoke of his admiration for Beck and even joined him onstage later in the evening with cowbell in hand.
Around 9, Beck took the stage and opened with a rollicking "Devil's Haircut." Five songs were played from his new album of sonic wonders, Morning Phase. With over a growing song catalog, he split the difference between the old and new. Five songs from his breakout LP Odelay brought some serious 90s nostalgia to the proceedings. Heartfelt acoustic performances of "Lost Cause" and "The Golden Age" from the somber 2002 album Sea Change comprised the middle section of the show.
About midway through things picked up in a hurry as the opening strums to "Loser" hit the spectators. For Gen X, the chorus "I'm a loser baby/so why don't you kill me" helped express their pre-millennial malaise. At one point, Beck tipped his hat to his fans and exclaimed,"I'm canceling tomorrow's show, we're just gonna play here again!"
The groove kept going with "The New Pollution" and a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." For the encore, he ended with the bluesy "Debra" and the essential "Where It's At." Everyone left with the beats still going in their head and I overheard people saying, "best show ever"; Beck easily won over Columbus.
