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Ben Folds
Ben Folds | © Alysse Gafkjen
What Matters Most Tour

Ben Folds

with the Minnesota Orchestra

Fri Oct 6 — Sat Oct 7, 2023

Orchestra Hall

2 hours including intermission

If you've ever seen Ben Folds live, you know what to expect: quirky melodies, impromptu creation, and an epic love-fest between audience and musicians. He's been making genre-bending music for over three decades and he's bringing his impressive catalog, charming (and very quirky) personality, and a few surprises back to the Orchestra Hall stage as he hits the road with a new album, What Matters Most.

A Few Things to Know

  • He has recorded multiple rock albums and collaborated with the likes of Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, “Weird Al” Yankovic and William Shatner.
  • An Emmy-nominated composer, Folds has written numerous scores for TV and film.
  • His piano concerto, co-commissioned by the MSO, was featured in his So There album that topped both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts.
  • According to Paste Magazine, “Ben Folds meshes the classical and pop music worlds in ways that few mainstream contemporary artists can hope to achieve.”
  • In a recent interview with Forbes, Folds alluded to the fact that What Matters Most may be his last rock album. Read the interview, and be sure to catch his last rock album's tour at Orchestra Hall.

Explore the concert extras

Date & Time

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Minnesota Orchestra

Ben Folds

vocals/piano

Enrico Lopez-Yañez

conductor

Plan your visit

  • Pre-concert activities
  • Valet Parking
  • Pre-order Beverages
  • Directions & Parking
  • Helpful Tips

Ben Folds Trivia with Know Factory

When: Fri Oct 6, Sat Oct 7 | 7:15pm
Where: Target Atrium

Test your knowledge of all things Ben Folds by playing live trivia with Know Factory!  Fun for all,  great prizes for the top three winning teams!

Spoonbridge performance

When: Fri Oct 6, Sat Oct 7 | Post-Concert
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer

Spoonbridge is a quirky rock band formed by Minnesota Orchestra Principal Percussionist Brian Mount.  Brian, who covers guitar and vocals, is joined by Tyler Ringeisen on harmonica, Charlie Block on bass, and Steve Kimball on drums.  They create and perform their own original music.

Know Before You Go

An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.

Directions & Parking

All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.

Pre-order beverages

Skip the lines at the bar! Pre-order your intermission beverage via the Minnesota Orchestra App when you arrive at Orchestra Hall.

On Why This Might Be His Last Rock Album

It’s the music to figuring out who you are, where you’re going, who your parents were that you’re not. And yearning… It’s life and it’s wonderful, but it’s not rock’n’roll. We don’t need that music anymore. Time to let the kiddies come up and do it.”

Accessibility Services

  • Armless & Bariatric Chairs
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Noise-Cancelling Headphones
  • Service Animals
  • Wheelchair & Accessible Seating

Additional services are available upon request.

Sponsored by

MSAB