The Sing to Me Instead Tour was the debut concert tour from American actor/singer-songwriter Ben Platt, in support of his debut solo album, Sing to Me Instead.
Background On February 11, 2019, Platt confirmed he would embark on his debut solo concert tour in promotion for his new album.Playbill. "Ben Platt Announces Cities and Dates for Sing to Me Instead Concert Tour, Playbill, February 11, 2019 His shows included telling personal stories about his life and how he became who he is today, using his music from the album and a few covers of popular tunes to weave it all together. The tour featured opening acts Ben Abraham and Wrabel, who co-write songs on Sing to Me Instead, and ended on September 29, 2019, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Tour dates Date City Country VenueNorth AmericaMay 3, 2019ChicagoUnited StatesChicago TheatreMay 4, 2019DetroitFisher TheatreMay 6, 2019TorontoCanadaSony Centre for the Performing ArtsMay 8, 2019BostonUnited StatesWang TheatreMay 11, 2019Washington, D.C.The AnthemMay 12, 2019PhiladelphiaThe Met PhiladelphiaMay 14, 2019New York CityBeacon TheatreMay 16, 2019AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts CentreMay 18, 2019AustinACL Live at the Moody TheatreMay 19, 2019IrvingToyota Music FactoryMay 22, 2019San FranciscoSF Masonic AuditoriumMay 24, 2019Los AngelesDolby TheatreEuropeJune 15, 2019LondonUnited KingdomEventim ApolloNorth AmericaSeptember 29, 2019New York CityUnited StatesRadio City Music Hall
Concert film On September 9, 2019, it was announced in advance of Platt's concert at Radio City that it would be filmed as a TV special for Netflix. Alex Timbers and Sam Wrench served as directors, and Platt, Timbers, Adam Mersel, Heather Reynolds and Fulwell 73's Ben Winston and Lee Lodge served as executive producers. This was also done to help build anticipation for the premiere of the web television series, The Politician, which Platt also starred in. The concert special, entitled Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall, was completed months later and was released on Netflix on May 20, 2020.
Set list
"Bad Habit" "Temporary Love" "Honest Man" "Hurt Me Once" "New" "The Joke" (Brandi Carlile cover) "Better" "Share Your Address" "Ease My Mind" "Rain" "Overjoyed" (Stevie Wonder cover) "In Case You Don't Live Forever" "Take Me to the Pilot" (Elton John cover) "Grow As We Go" "Older" "Run Away"
Musicians
Crystal Monee Hall - background vocals Kojo Littles - background vocals Allen René Louis - background vocals Mike Ricchiuti - piano, keyboards Nir Felder - guitars Justin Goldner - guitars Amanda Lo - violin Reenat Pinchas – cello Julia Adamy - bass Derrick Wright - drums David Cook - musical director, piano (London, Radio City)
Reception
Caroline Cronin of BroadwayWorld wrote, "Interspersing each performance with personal anecdotes, Platt appears quietly confident owning a stage as a solo artist. His joyful performances of each track were complemented by a series of very honest, heartfelt stories about his life, ranging from relationships and his coming out journey to his struggles with anxiety. Earnest without being saccharine, Platt is a naturally endearing presence, and it's clear why he's become the breakout star that he has."
References