Funny thing about Apple. Unlike most tech companies, they’ve got the clout to align themselves with the biggest names in music, and the means to get them some good publicity as well. Such was the case today when Ben Folds, back in the spotlight after his Way to Normal release, made a stopover on his way to tonight’s Congress Theater performance. And if there’s anyone who knows how to put on a free mainstream show sure to attract droves of fans, it’s Apple. They’ve managed crowds numerous times for the iPhone; hell, most of those line-waiters were probably there today. As the crowd snaked around the building, decidedly less hip people asked what was happening, only to be told by the decidedly more hip (more like more high-school—aged) kids that there’s a new iPhone out. "No, it’s Ben Folds," they eventually shot back, with more than a smidge of smugness.

No matter. Once people were ushered upstairs to the presentation area near the edge of the Genius Bar, and Ben Folds seated himself at the piano, everyone hushed. It was the quietest I’ve ever heard the store, which usually hums along quite loudly and perpetually throughout the day. Ben didn’t have to do much; by the time he was halfway through the opener "Effington"—a bit shaky as he had just woken up—heads were nodding and mouths were silently singing along.

The set list covered every album but Whatever & Ever Amen—delving into recent hits like "Landed," the slightly older "Still Fighting It," vintage Ben Folds Fivers "Emaline" and "Philosophy," plus newbies "Kylie from Conneticut" and "Free Coffee."

The real treat came after the latter song: See, Ben Folds released a slew of fake tracks "from" Normal and "leaked" them onto the Internet. Most are pretty silly and not immediately listenable, but "Free Coffee Town," a more blunt, more melodic version of "Free Coffee," is actually quite great. Folds agrees, and, during the show, he mentioned that it’s one of his favorites, and played it right after "Free Coffee," which made for another of the afternoon’s more striking moments. Even though the album version is heavily produced and filtered, it sounded raw and clean under the open acoustics of the Apple Store’s second floor. It’s proof that sometimes it’s nice to hear an artist do his or her thing sans the dankness of a dark concert venue, even if that place is just about as corporate as you can get.