Ben Folds’ self-appointment as the dishevelled conductor of yMusic, the supremely talented string, flute, clarinet and trumpet six-piece and classical-band-in-a-box choice of the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Antony & The Johnsons, might explain the orchestrally-sized ticket prices for this collusion.

Everything, it seems, is on a grand scale for this chamber group (their previous nights are at the London Palladium, with Sydney’s Royal Opera House also getting two gigs later in the tour), as BF continues to target ever-more expansive combinations of pop and classical forms.

Last September’s ‘So There’ album ended on a three-part co-commission from the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Ballet and Minnesota Orchestra. Their accompaniment on tour, from (mercifully unforced) audiences, has been less venerated but just as enthusiastic.

Competition time!
We’ve got a copy of ‘So There’ and a pair of tickets to give away. For your chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling us which of his songs you’d like to hear given a classical makeover. To ensure we’ve got your contact details you’ll need to sign up to our mailing list, if you haven’t already. The competition is now closed.

Brighton Dome, Wednesday 22nd June 2016