Jack Kristan’s mark of good musicians is how well they perform live. He said that’s why he is such a huge fan of Ben Harper.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a really good act,” the finance senior said. “I’ve seen him play three times I think, and he has one of the best live shows.”
Harper will perform with his band, The Innocent Criminals, at 7:30 tonight in the Wharton Center’s Great Hall. Harper will promote “Burn to Shine,” his fourth release on Virgin Records.
“He’s always been popular around here,” said Dick Rosemont, co-owner of Flat, Black & Circular, 541 E. Grand River Ave. “This is the third time I’m aware of that he has played in town, and most people who see him are impressed.”
Rosemont said Harper connects with people at his concerts on an emotional and intimate level, regardless of the size of the venue.
“I’ve seen him play at State Theatre in Detroit and at the Evergreen Grill here in East Lansing,” he said. “It’s a pretty impressive thing to do.”
Tickets for the concert sold well, said Chris Baratono, a supervisor at Tower Records-Video-Books, 115 E. Grand River Ave.
“We’ve been selling a lot of them,” he said. “We really got hit hard the first three days they went on sale. We almost sold out.”
Baratono said many people waited outside the store for tickets on Oct. 2, the day they went on sale.
“A lot of people were upset who didn’t know our policy because we did a lottery at 9:30 the day they went on sale so everyone had an opportunity to get tickets,” he said.
Kristan said he enjoys the energy Harper exhibits on stage.
“It’s just styled more like a classic rock show, almost with heavier guitar work,” he said. “His lyrics are really well-crafted, and he usually plays with a full band for part of it, then acoustically to give you a different side of it.”
Kristan has been a fan of Harper’s music for three years, since a friend introduced him to it.
“When I found out he was coming to MSU I was happy to know I wouldn’t have to drive anywhere to see him,” he said.
For more information, call the Wharton Center Box Office at 432-2000 or (800) WHARTON.
