Ben Folds fans gathered at The Kennedy Center on two recent October evenings to witness a unique milestone in the indie icon’s career. Known for his decades-long contribution to indie and pop music, Ben partnered with the National Symphony Orchestra in a one-of-a-kind concert to record a live album of symphonic versions of his greatest hits along with some new material.

Widely regarded as one of the major music influences of our generation, Ben’s enormous body of genre-bending sound includes pop anthems with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. His latest album, 2023’s What Matters Most, is a blend of piano-driven pop-rock songs, while his 2015 Concerto for Piano and Orchestra soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts.

Stream What Matters Most by Ben Folds on Spotify:

Stream Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Movement 1 by Ben Folds on Spotify:

Ben’s impact as an artist spans rock anthems, heartfelt ballads, and classical composition.  At The Kennedy Center on Oct. 25, this performance not only showcased his powerful genre-crossing discography but also celebrated his years as the NSO’s first Artistic Advisor.

Conducted by the energetic Steven Reineke, the concert embraced Folds’ greatest hits along with recent compositions. The set list included beloved songs such as “Still Fighting It,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Landed,” and “The Luckiest,” weaving moments of humor, heartbreak, and raw introspection that Ben’s fans know and love. The concert also introduced fresh material, capturing the range and creative evolution Folds has achieved over the years.

Ben didn’t come alone. His long-time collaborator, Regina Spektor, joined him onstage, delivering hauntingly beautiful vocals on “You Don’t Know Me,” while indie-folk duo Tall Heights and vocalist Lindsey Kraft added rich layers and vocal harmonies on other pieces in the program. Together, they helped make the performance a celebration of musical collaboration, a hallmark of Folds’ career. The album recording will capture these special moments, preserving the magic of the night for fans to experience again and again.

Since taking on the role of NSO Artistic Advisor in 2017, Ben has aimed to connect audiences to classical music through innovative projects. His DECLASSIFIED® series has brought in artists like Laufey, Julien Baker, and Rob Thomas to merge modern music with the symphonic world, and it has revitalized the orchestra experience for concertgoers in DC. The live recording of this concert, then, felt like the natural progression of Ben’s relationship with the NSO, both as an artist and as an ambassador for modern orchestral music.

For those who were in attendance, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Folds and the NSO bring the concert hall to life. And for fans eagerly awaiting the new album will undoubtedly be a treasured addition to Folds’ discography and a testament to his extraordinary versatility as a musician and artist.

Enjoy some additional photos from Ben Folds with the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center on Oct. 25, 2024. All images copyrighted by and courtesy of Ari Strauss.