In a recent announcement, Ben Folds, the esteemed alt-rock pianist, disclosed an extensive tour plan for 2025 that will feature a mix of solo performances, collaborations with symphonic orchestras, and his unique Paper Aeroplane Request Tour concept.
As an independent artist and Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, Folds is set to showcase both new material and beloved classics during his upcoming orchestral performance recording.
The tour will commence with a solo concert at the Victory Theatre in Evansville, Indiana, on March 17, before Folds heads to Kansas City for a two-night engagement with the Kansas City Symphony on March 18 and 19.
At the age of 58, Folds is recognized as a pioneering figure in piano rock, known for his work both as a solo artist and as the frontman of Ben Folds Five. His notable tracks include “Brick,” “Army,” “The Luckiest,” “Philosophy,” “Rockin’ the Suburbs,” and “Song for the Dumped.” A live rendition of “Landed,” captured at Syracuse University, was featured in a special edition of his 2005 album “Songs for Silverman.”
Folds has collaborated with numerous prominent artists such as “Weird Al” Yankovic, Regina Spektor, Amanda Palmer, author Nick Hornby, and actor William Shatner, as well as various a cappella ensembles. He also served as a judge on NBC’s singing competition “The Sing-Off” from 2009 to 2013.
In April, Folds will continue his Paper Aeroplane Request Tour in Johnson City, Tennessee, and Marietta, Ohio, where audience members submit song requests written on paper airplanes that he performs spontaneously.
Throughout the spring and summer months, he will collaborate with several symphony orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Cincinnati Pops, and Pacific Symphony. A special concert featuring the Howard County Youth Orchestra is scheduled for May 18 in Columbia, Maryland.
The fall segment of the tour will feature performances alongside the Grand Rapids Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony, culminating in Portland, Oregon, on December 2.
Tickets for most performances are currently available for purchase, while additional dates will be made accessible in the coming months.
Full Tour Schedule:
March 2025
Mar 18-19: Kansas City, MO – Kauffman Center for The Performing Arts (Ben Folds and the Kansas City Symphony)
April 2025
Apr 11: Johnson City, TN – ETSU Martin Center for the Arts (Paper Airplane Request Tour)
Apr 12: Marietta, OH – The Peoples Bank Theatre (Paper Airplane Request Tour)
Apr 13: Warren, OH – Robins Theatre (Ben Folds Solo)
Apr 15: Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Music Hall (Ben Folds with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra)
Apr 25-26: Costa Mesa, CA – Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (Ben Folds with The Pacific Symphony)
May 2025
May 3: Milwaukee, WI – Bradley Symphony Center (Ben Folds & the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
May 4: Wausau, WI – Grand Theater (Ben Folds Solo)
May 7: Rochester, MN – CH Mayo Presentation Hall
May 9-10: Omaha, NE – Holland Performing Arts Center (Ben Folds & The Omaha Symphony)
May 18: Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion (Ben Folds & the Howard County Youth Orchestra)
May 23-24: Detroit, MI – Orchestra Hall (Ben Folds & The Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
June-July 2025
Jun 13: South Bend, IN – Morris Performing Arts Center
Jun 14: Interlochen, MI – Interlochen Center for the Arts
Jun 16: Chicago, IL – Symphony Center (Ben Folds and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
Jun 18: Rome, NY – Capital Theatre
Jun 20: Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
Jun 21: Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
Jun 22: Wilmington, DE – The Grand
Jul 22: Portland, ME – State Theatre
Jul 23: Rockport, MA – Shalin Liu Performing Arts Center
Jul 26: Groton, MA – Groton Hill Music Center
Jul 27: Cranston, RI – Park Theatre and Event Center
September-December 2025
Sep 5: Louisville, KY – The Kentucky Center (Ben Folds and the Louisville Orchestra)
Sep 12-13: Denver, CO – Boettcher Concert Hall (Ben Folds with the Colorado Symphony)
Sep 26-27: Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall (Ben Folds with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
Oct 4: Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall (Ben Folds and the Grand Rapids Symphony)
Dec 2: Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
