Ben Folds - Paper Airplane Request Tour 2026

Ben Folds brings his Paper Airplane Request Tour 2026 to Hamburg: on December 1, 2026 the American singer‑songwriter and pianist will take the stage at the Laeiszhalle. Born in Winston‑Salem, the musician first became known in the 1990s with Ben Folds Five, where his piano formed the core of an alternative‑rock sound with a power‑pop edge. At the same time he developed a solo voice that sits between piano rock, ballads and chamber pop — from Rockin’ the Suburbs, Songs for Silverman and Way to Normal to What Matters Most and Sleigher. His interest in orchestral colors runs through projects such as So There with yMusic, a collaboration with author Nick Hornby, and numerous performances with symphony orchestras.

Live, Folds condenses this trajectory into an intimate evening at the piano: songs from his band days meet solo pieces, new material sits alongside fan favorites, often requested spontaneously and newly arranged. Between driving piano grooves, quiet ballads and concise vignettes he demonstrates his versatility, plays with dynamics and timing, and recounts the stories behind the melodies. A concert that opens up his repertoire once more — direct, agile and on equal footing with the audience.