The Electric Factory was packed to capacity when Ben Folds brought his tour to Philadelphia on Feb. 14.

The piano-playing singer brought along Miniature Tigers for the tour and special guest Grace Notes, an all-girl barbershop a cappella group from West Chester University.

The night’s opening act, Miniature Tigers, couldn’t have been a better choice to start the evening off. With an aggressive, steady thump of the drum, the band began with “Cannibal Queen,” the first single off their debut album Tell It To The Volcano.

The Phoenix, AZ based band played songs off their debut including “Dino Damage,” “The Wolf” and the album’s title track. Clad in a sweater covered with bears, frontman Charlie Brand sang every song like he was born to do it.

The audience was also graced with two new songs including the ridiculously catchy “Japanese Woman, Get Back in My Closet” and one that the band had just started practicing the night before. Brand apologized to the crowd in advance incase their rendition of the song “sucked” (although it surely did not).

Miniature Tigers put on a show that was sure to have nabbed them a few more fans. From acoustic guitars, catchy drumbeats and a compilation of songs that go far beyond their years, Brand and his band were a perfect compliment to the tour’s headliner.

Before Ben Folds took the stage, West Chester University’s Grace Notes performed three songs, including one that they recorded with Ben Folds that will be released on his upcoming album.

As the girls performed with their voices in perfect harmony, cheers erupted from the audience as their voices grew stronger and certain notes were held longer. Although the barbershop a cappella was different from anything else being performed that evening, the audience cheered with appreciation as the final song came to an end and the girls exited the stage.

The crowd anticipated Ben Folds arrival with chatter until a round of clapping along with a chant of “Ben!” circled the venue. After the first round failed and it seemed that another was about to begin, the house lights dimmed and the band took the stage.

As Ben Folds made his way to his grand piano, the audience cheered with praise until his fingers touched the keys and broke out into the opening song. Hands were waving, heads were nodding and everyone seemed to have a smile on their face.

Along with crowd favorites such as “Anyways” and “Army”, Folds also played songs off of his latest album Way To Normal including “Effington,” “Dr. Yang” (with its “fake” predecessor played first) and “Brainwascht.”

Ben Folds and his band can not only play their proper instruments incredibly well, but they also know how to keep the audience engaged and entertained along the way.

From theatrical hand movements involving a tambourine to piano tricks involving two tin cans of Altoids on the song “Free Coffee,” there was never a dull moment during the show. Folds even shared the story of a third set of teeth he had removed when he was a child (which was prompted from a pain he had under his eye). The crowd was always a part of the show, especially when it came to a three-part harmony he needed the audience to perform.

When Ben Folds thanked Philadelphia for coming to the show and left the stage, no one moved a muscle knowing that the man they came to see would perform an unforgettable encore – and that he did.

The band returned to louder cheers than those that had greeted them when they first graced the stage. As soon as he took his seat at the piano, Folds went full-force into “Zak and Sara.” Following the energetic start to the encore were songs he had written with Ben Folds Five, “Kate” and “Philosophy.”

The finale of the final song went on for a few minutes until Folds picked up his chair and threw it into the piano’s keys, signaling the end of show. The audience roared with appraisal as the band left the stage revealing just how fulfilling the night had been for everyone.