Ben Kweller Brings Music and Memory to Minneapolis

I caught Ben Kweller last night at the Fine Line in Minneapolis, and it was honestly one of the most fun and intimate shows I’ve been to in a while. I was hoping to see the opener, Cheese Touch (a local band I’ve heard some buzz about), but work and the stormy weather had other plans. Still, I made it just in time for Kweller’s set, and he definitely made it worth the trip.

Ben Kweller has a new album coming out on May 30th, and he gave us a taste of what’s to come with some new tracks mixed in throughout the night. But the real treat was how he blended those with fan favorites from across his career. It was a set that felt both fresh and nostalgic, and the energy in the room was incredible.

The crowd was super into it lots of singing along, dancing, and even some quieter, more emotional moments. At one point, Kweller played a song called "Trapped," which he explained was originally being written by his son Dorian, who tragically passed away a couple of years ago at just 16. Kweller said he did his best to finish the song after Dorian's passing, and performing it live added a layer of emotion that hit hard. It was raw, beautiful, and clearly meaningful to everyone in the room.

Throughout the night, Kweller kept things very personal, even asking the audience which songs they wanted to hear. A standout moment was when he played (my personal favorite) "My Apartment" from On My Way (2004). He mentioned they hardly ever perform it not even in New York City, where the song takes place so it felt like a special gift to the Minneapolis crowd.

He also played some bangers from Sha Sha, like "No Reason" and "Commerce, TX," and the room totally lit up for "Sundress" and "Penny on a Train Track" from his 2006 self-titled album. You could tell the crowd knew every word, and Kweller seemed to feed off that energy.

A fun and kind of surreal twist: his bass player for the night was none other than Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin from Superbad). He was up there rocking out like it was just another night on tour not something you see every day.

Overall, the night was a perfect mix of energy, emotion, and genuine connection. If this show is any preview of the upcoming album, we’re in for something really special.