The good: Tall Heights was great, both as an opening act and backing band for Ben Folds. They’re one of those bands who you think you don’t know, then a couple of songs sound familiar. I will be checking out more of their work. They were the perfect complement to Folds, who, while maybe a little off vocally, put on a great show. His wry humor and showmanship really drew the audience in. I have seen CAKE a few times and loved them, and I still enjoyed the show. But John McCrea was clearly intoxicated and borderline nasty to a few fans. Vince always shines on trumpet, and the rest of the band was solid, but McCrea’s issues were pretty distracting. He powered through nicely on most of the songs, though, so not a total loss. He definitely struggled to be coherent when chatting in between songs and giving away the tree. I’m not sure I would spend that much next time to see them.

Front row, got to see the surprisingly impressive Tall Heights and Ben Folds was at his peak, but CAKE's lead singer was so aggressive and disconcerting towards the audience that it was genuinely uncomfortable to watch. Liked the songs, hated the man.

Ben Folds was great! Cake was there to serve John McCrea. From the weird and annoying 5 minute 80's synth intro to him ranting and forcing cliche audience participation, the show felt like he was stalling for time. He even stated they didn't have much time left and would get to the music, but then wasted more time! This was after stopping the show to give an audience member a tree! I hear they do that at every show but man, what a way to kill momentum. I enjoy when artists talk to the crowd but not at the expense of the music. We figured out he was stalling around the last round of painfully long crowd singalong prep and started to head out. Finally he sped through "Never There" and then "Alright everybody we are out of time, good night!" Glad we were heading to the car by then. Again, Ben Folds was great and his audience participation felt organic and not forced. His Ice Cold Beer song is still in my head. Tall Heights had a great set, as well.

I never thought going to live performance of music I enjoy would make me want to stop listening to their music. Unfortunately last night the Greek theater went from a delightful evening with Ben folds and tall Heights to disturbing show have disgusting human behavior by the lead singer of cake. Insulting fans, calling out a woman and suggest the mob surround her, embarrassing another guy taking his picture... I paid money to see this? Talking more than singing he was disgusting and ruined a fun night. I left early and I’m never listening to music again . I feel badly for the other Talented members of the group, I wonder how they can stand to be around him. I want a refund, hey John shut up and seeing already! What a pig.

I’ve been a lifelong fan of CAKE. I’ve found it hard to enjoy the music after witnessing the douchebaggery of John McCrea live and in person. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and convinced myself that I was just tired or in a bad mood that evening. After reading these other reviews, I have accepted the painful truth: John McCrea is a first class drunk and all around douche canoe. He has reached a level of cringeworthy smugness so impressive that he can destroy an entire show and a fan’s lifelong admiration in a single blow. They should’ve let the tree take the mic.

Ben Folds (backed by Tall Heights) was one of the most enjoyable concert experiences I’ve had in quite some time. If only he had played two sets instead of turning over the stage to Cake. John McCrea wins the prize for the most un-self aware human being, and in our current day, that’s saying a lot. If McCrea was not drunk, then the only other conclusion is he is a jackass who thinks far too much of himself and far too little of his audience. We came to hear Cake. What we got was an interminable 80’s synthesizer intro, sub par “new material,” a blatherskite and a trip to the Home and Garden Show, getting quizzed about shrubbery. McCrea proved that some musicians have an expiration date after which they’re no longer entertaining. Unfortunately he has not realized his and exposed a large crowd at the Theater at Grand Prairie, that was still relishing the joyful crescendo of Ben Folds’ set, to something that has been left in the refrigerator so long it’s no longer recognizable and stinks.