Benjamin Roberts & The Concrete Connection Project

01/06/2026

Tasmanian! Gig Announcement Incoming. I am so happy to be heading back home to Hobart and bringing my award winning show The Man In Black (with a ukulele) to the incredible venue at the Salamanca Arts Centre - The Peacock Theatre. I have never booked a venue this big for a solo show outside of Adelaide so I'm hoping y'all are gonna show up for me City of Hobart?? I can't wait to get down there for August 14th. Let me know in the comments if you're keen to come??
This is a raw, intimate, and deeply moving tribute featuring iconic songs, powerful storytelling, and fresh acoustic arrangements that honour Johnny Cash’s music and enduring legacy. I hope to catch ya there.
Cheers
Ben

The Peacock Theatre
ABC Hobart
Launceston Ukulele Jamboree
Discover Tasmania

There are few artists whose music carries the weight, mystery, and mythology of Johnny Cash. His songs have echoed through prison halls, country...

24/05/2026

Playing .portadelaide today 1-4pm!!

18/05/2026

Now I know a lot of people say this just to drum up hype and get a few extra tickets sold…but this show is selling very fast. In fact it’s gonna sell out and it’s still two months away. Please don’t wait if you’re thinking about coming!! fans Cal Williams Jr The Wheatsheaf Hotel

When Bob Met Johnny A celebration of friendship, rebellion, and the songs that changed everything Two of music’s greatest storytellers. Two...

15/05/2026

One of reasons why I like this song lyrically so much, is that it begins with the perfect setup. The line “Were we just kids, or young men?” straight away puts the characters right into the pocket of a 16-19 year old age gap. Makes them young enough to undoubtedly make a few mistakes but old enough to throw it all to the wind and make some life decisions on their own. But it’s the next line “I don’t really remember” that makes this a tale of long ago. Too long to remember the finer details, but perhaps more of the feelings that were felt. It’s certainly a reflection, in the mind, or even out loud in the setting of council.

Were we just kids or young men, I don’t really remember
The only memory that I’ve got was to make it alive
(you said) “Let’s both quit our jobs, and head down to the shops
Buy a two man tent, and twin metal detectors
Spend our night times digging for the peoples prized possessions
That they’ve lost in sand while swimming in the ocean
We’ll sell it really cheap, all their things, just despite them
Because we hate everyone here on this earth apart from each other”

07/05/2026

The strangest part about writing songs is occasionally one writes back.

Metal Detectors started as a story from the past.
Then it slowly became something else.

Something uncomfortable.
Something true.
Something that was nearly forgotten. 

Over the next little while I’m going to share the story behind it piece by piece.

If you like dark storytelling, strange true stories and songs that probably shouldn’t exist… follow along.

Benjamin Roberts : Rueful Ben

05/05/2026

Last year I wrote a song that I was a bit scared to share. In fact I scared myself a little writing it. I knew the story was a bit confronting, uncomfortable and some it might even disturb.
But I knew deep down it was the best song, story and piece of art I’ve ever written.
So I entered it in the SCALA Festival of Original Music Live Songwriting Competition…and I won.
The song was called Metal Detectors and I have since recorded it. But now I’m back to where I started.

I’m a bit scared to share it.

But still, I know deep down it is the best song, story and piece of art I’ve ever written, even based on true events.
So if you’re interested, jump on board and let’s go metal detecting together and explore in detail….

Metal Detectors by Rueful Ben

01/05/2026

When Bob met Johnny…A bit like when met !!!! Tickets to our brand new production are on sale now! Check the ticket link in Ben’s bio!!! on July 9th.

25/04/2026

Howdy Folks!! Today I’m back at performing this afternoon. It’s the last day of school holidays so why not come have a rum..You deserve it. 1-4pm 😙