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From Your Town to Beantown

The opening act for Ben’s October 2nd sold out Boston Pops show will be selected from entrants by Ben, along with Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. The artist, to be selected from those who apply on Sonicbids, will receive $1000 for travel and lodging expenses and will perform a 25 to 30 minute set prior to Folds going on with the Boston Pops. Performers from all genres will be considered, but because the orchestra will be set up and there will be limited stage space, no full drum kits will be allowed, and the selected act must be able to set up and clear the stage quickly in order to allow the show to continue. Keyboardists must bring their own (Ben’s piano is, unfortunately, off limits), and singer/songwriter style artists will be given preference.

Lollapalooza, Festivals, Orchestras

Ben’s in the lineup for Lollapalooza, August 7-9 in Chicago’s Grant Park (Ben performs on August 7 from 4-5 PM at the Budweiser stage). He’ll also be headlining Yokohama’s Nano-Mugen festival in July, and playing with several symphony orchestras in the fall. Check the tourdates page.

Smackdown!

The Wednesday, May 20 show at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles will feature a “smackdown” between four a cappella groups from southern California. The audience chooses the winner from among groups from USC, UCLA and Stanford.

Ben on NPR

Listen Sunday, April 26 as Ben will talk about University A Cappella on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday.