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30th Anniversary project press release

Jul 7th, 2026
by Frank.
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BEN FOLDS CELEBRATES THREE DECADES OF BEN FOLDS FIVE

WITH SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION

CLASSIC DEBUT ALBUM FROM ICONIC ALT-ROCK TRIO NEWLY REMASTERED AND EXPANDED WITH PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SHELVED FIRST ATTEMPT FEATURING EARLY, ALTERNATE VERSIONS AND RARE OUTTAKES

“UNDERGROUND (SHELVED FIRST ATTEMPT)” PREMIERES TODAY – LISTEN

BEN FOLDS FIVE (30TH ANNIVERSARY) ARRIVES SEPTEMBER 4 VIA CAPITOL/UMe AT ALL DSPS AND ON 2CD AND 2LP VINYL

PRE-ORDERS/PRE-SAVES AVAILABLE NOW

Ben Folds is celebrating three decades in the spotlight with a very special anniversary edition of Ben Folds Five, the now-classic debut album from his iconic alt-rock trio. Ben Folds Five (30th Anniversary) – which, technically speaking, arrives 31 years after its original August 8, 1995 release – sees the groundbreaking original LP newly remastered and joined by the long-awaited, fan-requested un-vaulting of the band’s mythical shelved first attempt, only recently rediscovered on digital audio tape by Folds in his own personal archives and specially remastered for this release. (more…)

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Ben Folds Five album anniversary reissue

Jul 7th, 2026
by Frank.
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Ben Folds Five album

If you’re one of the legion of old-guard fans who’ve been longing for Ben Folds Five rarities,  your lucky day is here.

Leading off was the release of the 7-inch version of Jackson Cannery this week on the streaming services. It’s a fairly raw version of the song, almost demo quality. The release was teased by an Instagram post over the weekend. And although we’ve passed the 30th anniversary of the 1994 release of the self-titled album on Caroline Records, Universal Music Group is re-releasing both the original album and an alternate version that was previously shelved on both CD and vinyl as a two-disc set. It’s scheduled to be out September 4th. The project includes a remaster of the original album with new liner notes and previously unseen photos along with the “shelved first attempt”. In addition, the guys will be signing a thousand copies which will be available on uDiscover Music. Preorders are open and you can reserve your copy now.

And another bonus: The earlier version of Underground will be out on the streaming services today. Hand me my nose ring!

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Fan Spotlight: Brian Anderson

Jun 25th, 2025
by Justin Parlette.
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Tribute band graphic titled “Best Imitation of Myself: A Tribute to Ben Folds Five,” featuring three orange-tinted portraits over a plaid background with a hand-drawn piano.Father, Son, and the Suburbs: How One Ben Folds Fan’s Musical Journey Led to a Family Band

By Justin Parlette

For longtime music fans, musical rediscovery is often cyclical. For Philadelphia-based pianist and songwriter Brian Anderson, the latest turn of the wheel came with an unexpected co-pilot: his teenage son.

Brian’s Ben Folds fandom began on December 26th, 1995, when he caught Ben Folds Five’s combustive performance of “Underground” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. A lifelong piano player, he remembers his head “just exploded.” From that moment, Folds’ singular approach to songwriting, unorthodox trio setup, and dense harmonies became a lasting influence. “At the core, it was the songwriting,” Brian says. “And then, three guys, no guitar, all singing harmonies really grabbed me.” (more…)

Posted in: Fan Spotlight.

Sacramento show cancelled; replacement scheduled

Jun 22nd, 2025
by Frank.
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For those with tickets or who were planning to attend Ben’s August 8, 2025 show at the Crest Theater in Sacramento, Ben’s management is announcing that the show has been cancelled, and that a new show has been scheduled in its place at the Harris Center in Folsom on the same date.

Tickets for the cancelled show will not, however, be honored for the replacement show. Ticket holders for the Crest show will need to seek a refund through their ticketing service, Eventbrite. Folds management has provided a link to request a refund: https://www.eventbrite.com/attendee-refund-request/

Further information on the Harris Center show and a link to purchase tickets can be found at the venue’s website: https://www.harriscenter.net/ben-folds

A little more detail can be found on Ben’s Instagram and likely elsewhere on the socials.

Posted in: Announcements.

Rest of Europe solo tour cancelled

Nov 15th, 2023
by Frank.
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Ben has had to cancel the solo portion of the current European tour due to a case of tendinitis, which as you can imagine, makes playing the piano very difficult and painful. The show, with the band, will go on through Edinburgh on 18 November. Those holding tickets should be hearing from the performance venues shortly about refunds or other arrangements.

Ben provided the following explanation on social media:

To my European friends, I have a right case of tendinitis in my left hand and forearm, and some nerve issues in my left wrist and thumb joint. This appeared as I embarked on my UK tour, and it’s not been subtle. I can’t even tie my shoes, and it’s not from the tequila. This, I’m told, will recover. But I have been advised by my doctor to cancel my upcoming European solo shows, rest and rehabilitate. I hate that personally, and I’m sorry. As for the UK, I’m confident these are some of my best shows. The band accompanying me on the UK run is really special, and we’re ON IT. Having a band on the UK shows means I can work around the injury, simply because playing piano doesn’t require an athletic left hand. If I didn’t mention this to you, you’d never notice, except that my shoelaces are untied. So we will stay the course to finish this UK run strong in Edinburgh. But the trademark of my solo performances is a strong left hand, which I depend on abusing to create the full band sound. It’s my style. So the tour dates without the band scheduled after Edinburgh are cancelled. It was a year of looking forward to this rare tour. Not to mention I keep stepping on my untied shoelaces. My team is in contact with the venues where I was scheduled to perform, so you should hear from them soon about refunds and such. Much love and apologies, Ben

Having had nerve issues myself, and realizing that nerves are very strange things that affect you in weird ways, my sympathies are with Ben as he recuperates and regains his left-handed strength.

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