A promotional press photograph showing singer-songwriter and pianist Ben Folds. Captured in a tight, head-on studio close-up portrait against an off-white background wall, Ben Folds raises his right hand to cover the center of his face, resting his fingers across his nose bridge and black-framed eyeglasses while looking forward. He wears a plain dark t-shirt under direct, high-contrast flash lighting.
Ben Folds Credit: Big Hassle

If white people have no culture then explain this: Ben Folds Five is reuniting for the first time in almost 15 years, to celebrate the recent 30th anniversary of its self-titled debut record released in 1995.

The tour’s first batch of dates includes a few Florida stops next spring, including an April performance in Clearwater. Pompano Beach and Jacksonville are also part of the run which goes through Tennessee, Texas and Alabama.

The ‘90s brought a lot of good music but chances are that anyone born before 1995 doesn’t know who BFF is. But unlike the rock heroes of the ‘90s, the trio  (and yes, it is a trio despite the name) distinguishes itself by omitting guitar solos, riffs and even the instrument itself, from nearly every song. Instead its songs feature piano based melodies played by Folds, who’s built a cult following over the past 30-plus years by catering to the quirky turtleneck wearers of the world.  Stereogum says original bassist Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee join Folds on the tour.

The BFF catalog’s big emotionally-taxing hit, “Brick,” arrived on its sophomore LP, Whatever and Amen released two years after the debut. It tells the story of Folds, having to take his high school girlfriend to get an abortion the day after Christmas, using money from gifts he sold in an attempt to support her through an unthinkable hardship. The band released the song—an honest and raw retelling of a traumatic situation—with no intention of creating political discourse but rather wanted to simply tell a story of something really terrible that Folds went through. But it became a hit, put Ben Folds Five on the map and remains its official stamp on the ‘90s musical canon.

Tickets to see Ben Folds Five play the BayCare Sound in Clearwater on Saturday, April 17 are still available and start at $40.50.

See more new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.

Rabbit in the Moon w/Josh Mink (DJ Set) Friday, Nov. 27. 7 p.m. $33.53. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

The California Honeydrops Wednesday, Jan 6. 7 p.m. $41.62. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Des Rocs Thursday, Jan. 21. 7 p.m. $33.53. Oscura, Bradenton

Mico Friday, Feb. 26. 7 p.m. $39.45. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg

Staind w/Seether/Hoobastank/Hinder Friday, Mar. 12. 6 p.m. $54.05 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

Molly Hatchet Saturday, Mar. 13. 7 p.m. $49.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute Mar. 17 & 18. 7 p.m. $37 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater

Brian Culbertson Friday, Apr. 23. 7 p.m. $55.25 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Def Leppard w/Goo Goo Dolls/The Struts Sunday, June 13. $94.45 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa

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