Ben Folds is returning to Melbourne with an orchestra behind him, reuniting with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for the first time in six years for two Hamer Hall concerts in January 2027.
The American singer, songwriter and pianist will perform with the MSO on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January, opening the orchestra’s 2027 concert year under Principal Guest Conductor Benjamin Northey.
The Melbourne shows form part of a national orchestral tour taking Folds to Canberra, Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide between 22 January and 19 February. He will perform with five Australian symphony orchestras, bringing his piano-driven catalogue into a much bigger musical setting.
“Sharing the stage with an orchestra as my band is an honour I don’t take lightly,” Folds said. “I consider them among the finest musicians in the world and together we offer audiences a musical experience like no other.”
He added, “As a student of the orchestra, I sincerely believe they are a shining example of what we can accomplish in society when we all work in concert and harmony for a greater good.”
Folds’ connection with the MSO stretches back two decades, with the upcoming concerts marking their first performances together since 2021.
The musician first found international fame in the 1990s as frontman of Ben Folds Five, whose piano-led alternative rock produced enduring songs including Brick, Philosophy, Army and Song For The Dumped.
He has since built a successful solo career spanning rock, pop and classical music, releasing albums including Rockin’ The Suburbs, Way To Normal, So There and What Matters Most. His orchestral work has become an increasingly important part of his career, including his Piano Concerto and collaborations with symphony orchestras around the world.
Folds’ most recent Australian tour saw him perform solo on his Ben Folds & A Piano tour. This time, audiences can expect a very different experience, with his songs expanded through the sound of a full orchestra.
Tickets for Ben Folds with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall go on sale at 10am on Friday 28 August via https://www.mso.com.au/performance/2027-ben-folds-x-mso
