He sits there, hunched over the keys like a mad scientist or a high schooler cramming for finals. No band. No safety net. Just a man and a 9-foot Steinway. For three decades, Ben Folds has been doing this, and honestly, the Ben Folds and a Piano format has become less of a concert and more of a communal exorcism.
If you’ve never been, it’s hard to explain the vibe. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It's surprisingly tender.
Most people know him as the "Brick" guy or the guy who fronted the guitar-less trio with the confusing name (Ben Folds Five). But in 2026, Folds has cemented himself as something of a living legend in the solo circuit. He just wrapped up a massive 2024–2025 run that saw him bouncing between the Paper Airplane Request Tour and more formal dates with the National Symphony Orchestra. Now, as he kicks off his 2026 dates in Australia and beyond, the stripped-back "just me and the keys" setup is what everyone is talking about.
The Paper Airplane Chaos
Let’s talk about the airplanes.
A few years back, Ben started this thing where he’d have the audience write song requests on pieces of paper, fold them into planes, and hurl them at the stage on cue. It’s a liability nightmare. It’s also brilliant.
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During the late 2024 legs, specifically shows like the one in Saratoga Springs on New Year's Eve, the stage looked like a recycling bin exploded. Ben would just reach down, grab a crumpled wing, and play whatever was written. Sometimes it was a deep cut like "Carrying Cathy" or "Alice Childress." Other times, it was a joke request or a cover he barely remembered.
This creates a specific kind of tension. You aren't just watching a setlist; you're watching a guy solve a puzzle in real-time. He’s admitted in interviews that this is his favorite way to play because there’s "no hiding." If he screws up the bridge of a song he haven't played since 1998, he just laughs it off and asks the front row for the lyrics.
Why the Solo Format Works (When It Shouldn't)
Piano rock is a weird genre. It can get real "lounge singer" real fast. But Folds plays the piano like a percussion instrument. He’s not just tinkling the ivories; he’s slamming them, slapping the wood, and occasionally standing on the stool to get more leverage.
By the time he gets to "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces," you don't even miss the drums.
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The Setlist Gamble
On the 2025 Ben Folds and a Piano tour, fans noticed a shift. While the airplane shows were pure requests, the standard solo dates became a vehicle for his newer storytelling. He’s been leaning heavily into tracks from What Matters Most (2023) and even his 2024 Christmas album, Sleigher.
- The Staples: You’re always going to get "The Luckiest" and "Annie Waits."
- The Deep Cuts: He’s been pulling out "Fred Jones, Part II" and "The Last Polka" lately.
- The Improv: He still does "Rock This Bitch," where he composes a brand-new song on the spot based on a prompt from the crowd.
Wait, did I mention the audience is the backing band?
If you go to a show, expect to be conducted. He’ll split the room into three sections—sopranos, tenors, and whatever’s left—and have you sing the horn parts for "Army" or the three-part harmony for "Not the Same." It sounds cheesy on paper. In person, when 2,000 strangers hit a perfect chord in a dark theater, it’s enough to make you actually feel something.
The 2026 Australia Run and Beyond
Right now, the buzz is all about the February 2026 Australia tour. He’s hitting the State Theatre in Sydney and the Palais in Melbourne. These are "Ben Folds and a Piano" dates, meaning no airplanes this time—just a curated night of hits and stories.
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There’s been some chatter among fans on Reddit about his voice. Look, the guy is nearly 60. He’s been touring "his nutsack off" (his words, basically) for years. In some 2025 Florida shows, people noticed he was sounding a bit ragged on the high notes. But honestly? It fits the vibe. He was never a "perfect" singer; he was an honest one.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ben
People think he’s just a "funny" songwriter. Sure, "Rockin' the Suburbs" is a riot. But if you sit through a solo show, you realize he’s actually one of the most technical pianists in pop.
He dropped out of the University of Miami’s music program because he broke his hand in a fight and lost his percussion scholarship. That’s the most "Ben Folds" story ever. He then spent months practicing scales with a metronome until he became a machine. That technical precision is what allows him to improvise an entire orchestral arrangement using just ten fingers.
Actionable Advice for Concert-Goers
If you’re planning on catching a show in 2026, here is the move:
- Check the Tour Type: If it says "Paper Airplane Request Tour," bring your own paper (or use the merch table stuff) and work on your folding technique. If it’s "Ben Folds and a Piano," expect a more structured, story-heavy night.
- Learn the Harmonies: If you don't know the "Not the Same" vocal parts, look them up on YouTube. Don't be the person just humming.
- Don't Shout Requests: Unless it's an airplane night, he usually has a "shape" for the show. Shouting "Free Bird" isn't the vibe.
- Support the Cause: He’s been donating $1 from every ticket to Keys For Kids, which provides keyboards to underprivileged students. It’s worth checking out if you’re into music education.
Basically, Ben Folds is the last of a dying breed of performers who can hold a room for two hours with nothing but a stool and a box of wires. It’s raw, it’s a little messy, and it’s probably the best live show you’ll see this year.
Keep an eye on his official site for late-2026 US additions, as rumors are swirling about a second domestic leg after the Australian dates wrap up. If you get a chance to see him in a theater with good acoustics, take it. Your ears (and your inner 90s kid) will thank you.