The Mann Center

Tonight’s Concert Picks: The Postal Service at The Mann Center, Ian Mclagan at The Tin Angel, Black Flag at Union Transfer

Photo Credit: Brian Tamborello

They may not have played together since 2003, but this year The Postal Service – the one-off project of Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Dntel’s Jimmy Tamborello – have reunited for a large tour, including a stop at The Mann Center. Tonight, you can hear the stunning electronic pop group play songs from their amazing (and only) album Give Up. With such a great headliner and Ra Ra Riot as the opening band, this is a show you really don’t want to miss. Click here for more information and tickets.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Black Flag, Concerts, Postal Service, The Mann Center, The Tin Angel, Union Transfer

June 4, 2013 | 3:45 PM | By Julie Miller

AUDIO

Stream the new Pet Shop Boys single “Vocal” (playing the Mann Center on 9/22)

Pet Shop Boys shared the second single from their new Electric LP this week, which will be released on July 16th on their own label. ”Vocal” is a steadily-building dance floor jam with self-aware lyrics about the personal connection people make with music. The English duo have primed the song to be a summer hit inside and outside the clubs with lyrics like “everything about tonight feels right and so young” and “everyone I hoped would be around has come along.” It’s a euphoric six-and-a-half minute experience that counters lead single “Axis“‘s darker, more hypnotic tones. Pet Shop Boys will be in Philadelphia for a show at the Mann Center on September 22nd. Tickets and information can be found here. Listen to “Vocal” below.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Recordings, Pet Shop Boys, The Mann Center

April 30, 2013 | 10:00 AM | By Julie Miller

VIDEO

Just Announced: Pet Shop Boys coming to The Mann Center on 9/22

English electronic duo Pet Shop Boys are making the rounds this summer and will stop in Philadelphia for a show at The Mann Center on September 22nd. On the heels of 2012′s Elysium and after signing a contract with a new label, Pet Shop Boys have announced that their 12th studio album Electric will be released this June. Though they got their start in the 80s with hits like “West End Girls” and “Suburbia,” Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have maintained their dance-floor relevance over the years with a steady stream of releases. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 3rd at Noon. Below, watch a couple classics from the Pet Shop Boys and a video for a new song, “Axis.”

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Pet Shop Boys, The Mann Center

April 29, 2013 | 11:00 AM | By Julie Miller

VIDEO

Just Announced: The Monkees playing The Mann Center on 7/20

The Monkees are coming! The Monkees are coming! They are playing The Mann Center on Saturday, July 20th. By now, the history of The Monkees is the stuff of musical legend. Beginning as a TV show band in the sixties and recording pop hits like “Daydream Believer,” “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m a Believer,” the “British” four-piece (Davy Jones was the only actual British band member) experienced the ups and downs of stardom before ultimately folding in 1970. After a series of partial reunions and side-projects, the band got back together for a 45th anniversary tour in 2011 without Mike Nesmith. Following the death of Jones last year, Nesmith rejoined Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork for a string of dates in the U.S., which continues this summer. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 4th at 10AM. More information is available here

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, News, The Mann Center, The Monkees

April 29, 2013 | 8:00 AM | By Julie Miller

VIDEO

Just Announced: Furthur will play The Mann Center on 7/13

Furthur have announced dates for their annual East Coast summer tour, which will bring the band to Philadelphia on July 13th for a show at the Mann Center. Furthur is the brainchild of former Grateful Dead guitarist / vocalist Bob Weir and bassist Phil Lesh. Joining Weir and Lesh on this tour are the usual cast of musicians including Jeff Chiamenti (RatDog), Joe Russo (Benevento/Russo Duo), John Kadlecik (Dark Star Orchestra), Jeff Pehrson and Sunshine Becker. Building their set lists out of Grateful Dead tracks, covers of classic favorites and several songs of original material, Furthur have simultaneously kept the spirit of The Grateful Dead alive and created a fresh outlet for jam band fans.

Tickets go on sale Friday, May 3rd at 10:00 a.m. More information will be available here. Below, watch fan footage of the band performing “Shakedown Street” in Brooklyn.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Bob Weir, Furthur, Phil Lesh, The Mann Center

April 29, 2013 | 8:00 AM | By Bruce Warren

My Morning Download: “A Tattered Line of String” by The Postal Service (playing The Mann Center June 17)

Photo Credit: Brian Tamborello

The Postal Service – Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) and prodcer Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel) – have reunited for a tour and the 10th anniversary release of Give Up, a collection of electro-pop songs that has a lasting influence on indie rock since its release in February, 2003. No one foresaw the influence the record would have. The album’s most popular song “Such Great Heights,” began to seep into the zietgeist of pop culture over a period of a couple of years. It was covered by Iron & Wine on the 2004 film and soundtrack, Garden State, and was prominently featured on Greys Anatomy in 2005. The band has not released a second album, however have taken the anniversary of Give Up’s release to tour, which bring them to The Mann Center on Monday, June 17.

The deluxe edition of Give Up features two new songs, “A Tattered Line of String” and “Turn Around.” Below, download “A Tattered Line Of String.”

A Tattered Line of Stringby The Postal Service from Give Up Download

The Postal Service play The Mann Center on Monday, June 17 with Ra Ra Riot. Go here for tickets.
Purchase Give Up here.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Downloads, Events, Recordings, My Morning Download, Sub Pop, The Mann Center, The Postal Service

April 16, 2013 | 11:30 AM | By Julie Miller

VIDEO

Just Announced: Steely Dan playing The Mann Center on 9/21

Fusion / rock band Steely Dan has announced a 2013 tour that will bring them to The Mann Center on September 21st. With hits including “Reelin’ In the Years,” “Do It Again,” “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” and “Dirty Work,” Steely Dan blended jazz with rock, funk, pop and R&B and released nine studio albums throughout their career, most recently 2000′s Grammy Award-winning Two Against Nature and 2003′s Everything Must Go. Founding members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have also recorded solo material, with Fagen releasing Sunken Condos last October and finding himself charting midway on Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Albums of 2012 list. Tickets for the September show go on sale Saturday, April 20th. More information will be available here. Below, watch Steely Dan perform “Reelin’ In the Years” on The Midnight Special in 1973, introduced by Bill Cosby.