Ben Lee is coming to the Blue Mountains, bringing more than 30 years of experience and whimsical energy to the mic.
The eclectic singer began his music career at 14-years-old, following the flow of his musical bloodline.
“My great-uncle was a gypsy violinist who played in cafes and jumped on tables and got in the face of the audience, so I feel like I inherited that troubadour energy,” Lee explained.
He also cited his mother as an inspiration.
“She’s 84 at the moment and she’s re-invented herself so many times in her life and I think that gave me the courage to think of life as something with many chapters,” the singer explained.
The ability to embrace change and reject social norms is what makes Lee a stand-out musician.
“We’re all sort of slaves to the grind a bit and there’s the pressures of jobs and mortgages and family life,” Lee said.
“I think people go and see artists as an escape from that and they want to see artists living out an experience that they can’t necessarily do on a daily level.
“Part of the job description is to be a maverick and do what you want to do.”
And what Lee wants to do is constantly surprise himself – a power he cherishes.
“I don’t use a set list, I go up there with a list of 80 or 90 songs I know how to play,” Lee stated.
“There’s a lot that I don’t even think of that people request from the audience, and sometimes I have them Google the lyrics if I don’t remember them.”
The unpredictable performer values creating unique experiences depending on his audience.
“That’s why my audience come to see me multiple times in the year, no two shows are the same, it’s really a product of the vibe of the night,” he said.
However, it’s important no one commits a Ben Lee concert cardinal sin.
“If you’re going to make a request, don’t bother yelling out ‘Catch My Disease’ or ‘Cigarettes Will Kill You’, I’m obviously going to play those songs, I’m not an idiot,” Lee asserted.
Ben Lee will be joined on stage at the Blue Mountains Theatre on March 7 by singer-songwriter Malaika Mfalme. Tickets cost $55 and you can find out more online at https://www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2025/ben-lee.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.