Music

The group showed why it has had that staying power: Its hits — in a sprawling 26-song, 2½-hour show, the band offered 14 gold and platinum hits — still resonate.

The Four Tops, who in the 1960s helped define the Motown sound with hits such chart-topping hits as "Reach Out I'll Be There," will perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 2, backed by Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets, starting at $126.65, remain available at the PPL Center website or the box office at 701 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.

In PPL Center's nearly 12-year history, it has been host for a handful of "final" tours. On Thursday, June 11, ballad-rockers Journey will be the latest.

Bad Company Legacy, which includes two members of the group that from 1974-92 sold 20 million copies of hits such as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Feel Like Making Love” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy,” will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 1. And Morgan Wade, whose hit "Wilder Days" helped get her nominated for the Academy of Country Music's New Female Artist of the Year in 2023, will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 28.

Straight No Chaser will perform at the theater at 3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5. And the stage play "Waitress" at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16.

The Freddy Awards is now in its 24th year. The ceremony will take place on May 21 at State Theatre.

Country music star Martina McBride and Justin Hayward, who led The Moody Blues for more than 50 years, are among four new shows announced for the theater's 100th season.

All Time Low, which had the hits “Dear Maria, Count Me In” in 2008 and “Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t)” and “Weightless” in 2009, will perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

Musikfest announced 331 music acts announced for about 500 concerts on the festival's 15 free stages during its July 31-Aug. 9 run, with a July 30 preview night.

Blue October, best known for the 2006 platinum hits “Hate Me” and “Into The Ocean,” will play the event center at 6:30 p.m. July 27. It will be joined by Switchfoot, best known for its hits “Meant to Live” and "Dare You to Move,” and singer Matt Nathanson, best known for his 2008 hit “Come On Get Higher.”

Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem.

Old Crow Medicine Show has spent 25 years exploring the depths of classic folk, country, and Americana, all the while making tunes distinctly their own. On April 13, the band is coming to the State Theatre as part of the tour in support of their latest album, Jubilee.

Let’s Sing Taylor — A Live Band Experience Celebrating Taylor Swift, which calls itself “the ultimate tribute to the music of Taylor Swift,” will perform June 15 at the center, at 301 W. Mill St.

Violinist Diane Monroe and New Jersey-based dance group Nimbus are among the scheduled performers set for April at Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.

Heavyweight developer City Center plans to open its new music venue, The Archer, in the 900 block of Hamilton Street in Allentown later this fall. Construction is underway.

The pandemic, a re-diagnosis and a lifetime of loving, playing music inspires a 'Plan B' personal win

Brett Scallions, who fronted the band Fuel for more than 25 years, will perform July 13 at Signature Event Center, 137 Erin Lane, Brodheadsville.

Mayfair Festival of the Arts, the Memorial Day weekend festival, will return to Cedar Crest College for a sixth year May 24-26.

Plush, which has had the Top 40 Mainstream Rock chart hits “Hate” and “Left Behind,” will perform at Maingate nightclub, it was announced.

More than a dozen musical acts and food and craft vendors will be spread across the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem for the festival featuring Jamaican vibes. It's set for Saturday, July 6.

Muses at the Ice House will be from 4-9 p.m. April 6 at Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Bethlehem.