Ben Folds Rocks the Suburbs With Orchestra Experience Tonight at Charleston Symphony

Among other happenings at this month's Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, musician Ben Folds will present a unique showcase of his recent orchestral work with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. The concert is tonight, June 8, at 8:00 p.m.

Previously of piano-rock group Ben Folds Five, Folds set out as a solo performer with his 2001 effort, Rockin' the Suburbs. Numerous solo and collaborative works now in his portfolio, the artist last year let loose with So There, a chamber pop collection with the yMusic Ensemble.

So There contains Fold's three-movement Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (performed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra) along with eight other symphonic pop selections. Performing the material as The Ben Folds Orchestra Experience, tonight's festival appearance in Charleston promises an unparalleled concert experience.

Charleston's The Post and Courier reports: "The Ben Folds Orchestra Experience, presented by Piccolo Spoleto and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, will feature Folds and a 70-piece CSO performing new arrangements of some of Folds' greatest hits, as well as several selections from So There, including a movement from Folds' Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. Wednesday's concert is the first Piccolo Spoleto event to take place on Daniel Island, at the Volvo Car Stadium."

Folds recently spoke to Billboard about So There's track "Yes Man," admitting that age and wisdom have encouraged his symphonic songwriting, though he still feels the need to humor listeners:

"The nice thing about age is worrying less and less about what people think. I think for me it requires a little bit of work. It's certainly okay to admit weakness, everyone has it. 'Why didn't you tell me how I got fat?' is not usually how you start a ballad, so I felt like that disarms the listener and confuses others. I divorce myself from listeners who aren't tolerant of humor."

Below, listen to the Five's hit 1997 single "Battle of Who Could Care Less" from their sophomore album, Whatever and Ever Amen.

We want to hear from you. Let us know your favorite Ben Folds song in the comments section below.

TagsBen Folds, The Ben Folds Orchestra Experience, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Piccolo Spoleto Festival