Mannheim Steamroller, a prominent name in holiday music, will perform live in Wilkes-Barre on December 2, 2023, marking their first appearance in the city in over a decade. The concert will take place at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, starting at 19:00. Tickets are priced from approximately $38, plus additional fees.
The concert will feature a talented ensemble of 15 musicians, who will showcase over 20 instruments alongside dynamic multimedia elements. This innovative approach to performance was groundbreaking when Mannheim Steamroller first launched, combining traditional orchestral music with modern sounds.
Reflecting on the band’s journey, founder Chip Davis expressed gratitude to fans who have made their music a cherished part of holiday celebrations. “I remember when I came out with my first Christmas album in 1984 followed by our first tour,” Davis said in a news release. “Back then, many in the music industry said focusing on Christmas just wouldn’t work.” Now, with 40 years in the industry, Mannheim Steamroller continues to thrive, often attracting multi-generational families to their shows during the festive season.
The upcoming performance will highlight selections from several of the band’s Christmas albums. Mannheim Steamroller’s distinct sound, often described as a blend of 18th-century classical rock, incorporates orchestral instruments along with synthesizers and other contemporary elements. The band is particularly renowned for its holiday music, which has contributed to its impressive sales of 31 million holiday albums out of a total of 41 million albums sold.
In addition to its holiday repertoire, Mannheim Steamroller explores various musical genres. The band won a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album in 1992 and recently released “Night Song,” the fourth installment in its “Ambience” series, aimed at promoting wellness and relaxation. This album features calming sounds from nature, recorded over several summers in the Midwest.
Mannheim Steamroller has also ventured into other themes, including Halloween albums, Americana, and a tribute to Yellowstone National Park. The band’s name is derived from the “Mannheim crescendo,” a musical technique from the 18th century, and reflects the influence of the German city of Mannheim, famously visited by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The band operates out of Omaha, Nebraska.
Tickets for the Wilkes-Barre concert are available through ticketmaster.com, kirbycenter.org, and by phone at 570-826-1100. The box office is located at 71 Public Square and will close on Thanksgiving Day. It operates on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 17:00 and will also open prior to the concert. Doors will open at 17:30 on the day of the show.
Mannheim Steamroller will be touring with two separate casts during the holiday season, with another performance scheduled in Williamsport on December 4, 2023. For more information, visit the band’s official website at mannheimsteamroller.com.
