Ben Watt brings solo act to S.F.
With Everything But the Girl, Ben Watt liked to lurk in the shadows — letting Tracey Thorn, the group’s singer and his longtime romantic partner, take the lead in songs like “Missing” and “Apron Strings.” In recent years, the 53-year-old singer, songwriter and producer has revived his long-dormant solo career, following a long stretch where he sank even further into the background as a club DJ.
With his third and latest release, “Fever Dream,” Watt offers a set of stark, intimate songs that find him contemplating life, love and mortality. It’s a moving piece of work, not that far removed from his former band’s early, searching ballads. But Watt has a secret weapon: Bernard Butler, onetime lead guitarist with the Brit-pop band Suede, who gives delicate folk ballads like “Gradually” and “Between Two Fires” just the right amount of tension.
Ben Watt featuring Bernard Butler: 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23. $25. Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.slimspresents.com