Ben Platt Sells Out Two Nights at The Ryman
Out for the second of two nights at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Ben Platt brings the “Honeymind” tour in full force.
Out in support of his third studio album, Honeymind, Platt is far from a stranger of the stage. For those unfamiliar, Platt boasts an impressive résumé, with credits across Broadway, film, and television garnering him Emmy, Grammy, and Tony wins. Platt’s multi-talented background sets the stage for an incredible show ahead, as theatrics and artistry take center stage. Ben’s music cannot be cleanly placed into a genre either, bouncing from clear-cut pop hits, emotive singer-songwriter ballads, and grand Broadway-esc tunes. This weekend marks Platt’s first return to The Music City since his debut at Bridgestone Arena back in 2022.
Platt brought an aura of ever confident swagger on “All American Queen,” a bopping, heart-throb-inducing pop anthem that saw Platt take over the stage with dynamic struts and an ever-eager attitude. Playing off tropes of classic Americana, referencing cowboys, apple pie, and Coca-Cola, Platt adds a sultry overtone that heavily contrasts the typical memories brought on by this time period and aesthetic. The song manages to be subversive, while distinctly on the nose, both lyrically and performatively. Ben sells the song expertly, allowing the audience to easily buy in and sing along.
“I wanna love you but I don’t” is a heartbreaking ballad centered on Ben’s experience growing up. Platt introduced the song as a story of unrequitable love and his experiences as a queer youth, struggling in a cycle of dating incompatible partners due to a lack of common interest aside from their shared sexuality. However, despite the song’s narrow focus, Ben manages to make one of the most resounding and impactful moments of the night, as both his lyrical content and heartfelt delivery transform the song from what would otherwise be a poignant, but niche, track into a showstopper that is relatable to all walks of life. Platt manages this many times throughout the night and this is a skill I find very hard to master; Platt’s ability to be direct and very specific in his songs and still manage to stir emotions in a wider audience, allowing them to relate without having experienced the same situations, is incredible and should be praised.
“Share Your Address” sees Platt fully enter the pocket. This song has the charm, it has the hook, and it has a catchy instrumental. Best yet, Ben has the charm. It feels effortless, Ben sashays across the stage with the confidence of a man on top of the world, he hits poses like he is on the red carpet, and he doesn’t miss a beat. Moments like this are where you see Platt’s Broadway background enter full frame, unadulterated and unapologetically camp in the best possible way. If there was any doubt Ben was a performer it has been fully shed.
Setlist
Right Kind of Reckless
All American Queen
Andrew
I wanna love you but I don’t
RAIN
Share Your Address
Ease My Mind
Grow as We Go
Shoe to Drop
Your Smiling Face (James Taylor cover)
River (Jon Mitchell cover)
Treehouse (ft. Brandy Clark)
Cherry on Top
Maybe This Time (Kaye Ballard cover)
Before I Knew You
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imagine
As someone who was uninitiated with Platt’s work prior to this show, it would be an understatement to say was more than impressed by the end of the night. It is not often I find myself fully enraptured in an artist’s performance, and quite frankly I found myself enthralled. Platt has such a presence on stage that just demands it, and I was not alone in this feeling. When he spoke, the audience was silent. When he sang, the audience sang along. There was a clear connection between performer and attendee, a feat that is not only difficult but also telling of the quality of musicianship, penmanship, and performance. I cannot recommend this show enough to anyone even remotely interested in pop or Broadway adjacent music. This show was excellent.
You can find all of Ben Platt’s upcoming tour dates here.