Ben Folds Live

Crouched over his piano in an athletic stance, Ben Folds played to a packed house at the Somerville Theatre last night during the annual Jumbo Jam concert, sponsored by Concert Board. Pop-rock trio Jukebox the Ghost opened the show, followed by a brief set by the Jackson Jills, a Tufts a capella group. Folds and his band took the stage at 9:00, powering through a couple songs from his latest album, "Way to Normal" (2008). The pianist/singer/songwriter played a largely up-tempo two-hour performance, pulling hit song after hit song from his seemingly endless repertoire of his years in Ben Folds Five as well as his solo career. Folds was also quick to get the audience involved, sharing anecdotes, conducting the three-part harmony to "Not the Same," and giving instructing how to make beautiful music with Altoid cans.