Ben Folds is bringing his songbook back to Sydney with a full orchestra.
Ben Folds and the Sydney Symphony are getting back together, and this one feels very worth leaving the house for.
Folds is the consummate musician. Piano skills for days, a genuinely brilliant songwriter, and no stranger to putting on a damn fine show.
I’ve caught him a couple of times over the years, admittedly, it’s been a while, so we’re very keen to see what happens when he lands at the Hordern Pavilion in February 2027 with the Sydney Symphony behind him.
More than 20 years after his first collaboration with the Orchestra, Folds will return to Sydney for two performances on Wednesday February 3 and Thursday February 4, reworking his rather enormous songbook for full orchestra.
And there’s plenty to pull from. Between Ben Folds Five, his solo records and a long list of collaborations, Folds has spent decades moving pretty freely between pop, rock, classical music and whatever else takes his fancy.
He’s also an Emmy-nominated composer, New York Times bestselling author and has written music for film, television and theatre, including songs for the recent Peanuts specials on Apple TV.
The orchestral side of things isn’t some random occurrence either. Folds has spent years performing alongside major symphony orchestras around the world, elevating his already formidable live game in the process.
And with big melodies, restless piano playing and plenty of drama, his songs make a pretty natural leap into that setting.
For Sydney audiences, there’s also a nice full-circle element to the shows. His relationship with the Sydney Symphony stretches back more than two decades, and now they’re taking it to the Hordern.
Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Wednesday February 3, 2027 – 7pm
Thursday February 4, 2027 – 7pm
If you’ve never watched Ben Folds attack a piano in person, this feels like a particularly good place to start.
Head to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for tickets
