Original Live lineup reunites after 8 years at Musikfest in Bethlehem on Aug. 7
From a press release:
The original lineup of multi-platinum alternative rock band Live – Ed Kowalczyk, Chad Taylor, Patrick Dahlheimer, and Chad Gracey – will electrify Musikfest when they perform on the festival’s Sands Steel Stage on Monday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Their tour this year will be the first time that the founding lineup has performed together since 2009.
Tickets for the concert at PNC Plaza (645 E. 1st St., Bethlehem) at the SteelStacks, which are $39-$49, go on sale starting Tuesday, May 23 at 10 a.m. to ArtsQuest Members and this Friday, May 26 at 10 a.m. to the public at steelstacks.org and 610-332-3378.
Known as one of the most potent alternative rock acts and concert attractions, Live got its start in nearby York, Pennsylvania. The group has sold more than 22 million albums worldwide and earned two No. 1 albums, “Throwing Copper” and “Secret Samadhi,” with a catalog filled with hits like “Lightning Crashes,” “I Alone,” “All Over You” and “Lakini’s Juice.” “Throwing Copper,” released in 1994, produced the band’s biggest single, “Lightning Crashes,” which was No. 1 on Modern Rock Radio for 10 consecutive weeks. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually surpassed sales of 10 million albums sold, with Rolling Stone honoring the recording with placement on its list “1994: The 40 Best Records from Mainstream Alternative’s Greatest Year.”
In 1997, the group’s “Secret Samadhi” immediately shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually went double platinum. The release of the platinum-selling “The Distance to Here” in 1999 turned Live into an international powerhouse and moved the band from arenas into stadiums. The original lineup performed its last show in July of 2009 before going off in different directions. Rediscovering their friendship, however, has healed differences, setting the stage for the members to come together to make music again. In addition to Musikfest, this year’s concert tour also includes stops at BottleRock Napa Valley, the Common Ground Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Festival, and more.
The Live concert is supported by media partner WZZO. With the announcement of the show, the 2017 Sands Steel Stage lineup is now complete. Other Sands Steel Stage headliners include Santana on Aug. 4, Chicago on Aug. 5, Father John Misty on Aug. 6, Aloe Blacc on Aug. 8, Godsmack on Aug. 9, Toby Keith on Aug. 10, The Band Perry on Aug. 11, Lee Brice and Justin Moore on Aug. 12, and Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson on Aug. 13.
One of the largest music festivals in the nation, Musikfest features more than 500 performances on 15 stages throughout Bethlehem over 10 days. Dates for the 34th edition of the festival are Friday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 13. For more information, visit musikfest.org.
See NEPA Scene’s photos and review of the Flaming Lips at Musikfest last year here.
