Ben Folds probably is the closest thing contemporary music has had to a modern-day Elton John or Billy Joel. With classical ivory dexterity channeling all kinds of melodic hooks through an ironic pop perspective, Folds can be as bombastic and funny (“Rockin' the Suburbs” and “Hiroshima (B B B Benny Hit His Head)”) as he is introspective and tender (“Brick” and “The Luckiest”). A wise-cracking, middle-aged hipster with heart, Folds is scheduled to bring plenty of key-slamming antics and lyrical barbs to the National on Sunday, March 21, at 8 p.m.