Photo: WBZ NewsRadio / Matt Shearer
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A bearded bard from Lowell is single-handedly bringing an instrument from the Middle Ages back into popularity in the daring and mythical world of the Internet.
Ben, otherwise known as "Lute Spot" on TikTok and Instagram, plays the lute often times to the tune of modern day songs, beating the string instrument's stigma that it's stuck in the 1400's. Though his ventures to make covers of what's on the radio today does not come without critique from those in the lute business.
Ben tells WBZ's Matt Shearer he doesn't let their words get to him.
"There's a lot of gatekeepers that I deal with. Being creative is what's going to keep instruments around, I think it's important to have instruments like this because they're a huge part of history," Ben said.
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One of his many covers includes George Michael's "Careless Whisper" which he formats in a point of view TikTok where the bard's crush seemingly walks into the tavern.
Watching his videos, you may notice Ben staring off into space while he plays, but that's all part of the brand too.
WBZ's Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) reports.
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