The New Pornographers were talking about doing some anniversary shows back in early 2020, but the pandemic stalled those plans. With live music opening back up again, the indie-rock supergroup are finally making good on their promises by hitting the road and reissuing 2000's debut album Mass Romantic.
Having missed the 20th anniversary of Mass Romantic, this year marks the album's 21st anniversary. To celebrate, Matador Records is pressing the album on red vinyl on December 10.
The reissue comes with a bonus Letter from an Occupant 7-inch, which includes the B-sides "The End of Medicine" and "When I Was a Baby." The single originally came out back in 2002.
As for the tour, the New Pornographers will be performing two-night stands: they will play Mass Romantic in its entirety on the first night, followed by 2005's Twin Cinema on the second night. The touring lineup will include A.C. Newman, Dan Bejar, Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, John Collins, Joe Seiders and Todd Fancey. (Former drummer Kurt Dahle and longtime keyboardist Blaine Thurier don't seem to be taking part.)
The late-2021 tour will hit Toronto and Vancouver, plus a handful of U.S. cities. See the schedule below. Band leader A.C. Newman said in a statement:
Everyone wants to be successful but, hand to my heart, I had no delusions of success for the New Pornographers. To be here over 20 years later, still in the game, is something that I simultaneously take for granted (you just get used to it) and feel eternally grateful for. Been here so long that we can do one of those "let's play that old album all the way through!" gigs. And we are doing just that. 2 nights per city: 1 Mass Romantic, 1 Twin Cinema, plus assorted "hits" from our storied career. Bejar is coming and God knows if we'll get him again. When he moved to Spain 2 months after Mass Romantic came out, I thought he was done in the band and now 21 years later we've convinced him to come along for another ride. Just the nature of our band that it's a special occasion when all the singers show up. Here's to you showing up as well!
The album is available to pre-order. The "Letter from an Occupant" video is at the bottom of the page.
Tour dates:
11/29 Woodstock, NY - Levon Helm Studios #
11/30 Woodstock, NY - Levon Helm Studios &
12/01 Washington DC - 9:30 Club #
12/01 Washington DC - 9:30 Club &
12/03 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
12/04 New York, NY - Webster Hall &
12/06 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall #
12/07 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall &
12/09 Seattle, WA - Neptune #
12/10 Seattle, WA - Neptune &
12/11 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre #
12/12 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre &
# Performing Mass Romantic
& Performing Twin Cinema
Having missed the 20th anniversary of Mass Romantic, this year marks the album's 21st anniversary. To celebrate, Matador Records is pressing the album on red vinyl on December 10.
The reissue comes with a bonus Letter from an Occupant 7-inch, which includes the B-sides "The End of Medicine" and "When I Was a Baby." The single originally came out back in 2002.
As for the tour, the New Pornographers will be performing two-night stands: they will play Mass Romantic in its entirety on the first night, followed by 2005's Twin Cinema on the second night. The touring lineup will include A.C. Newman, Dan Bejar, Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, John Collins, Joe Seiders and Todd Fancey. (Former drummer Kurt Dahle and longtime keyboardist Blaine Thurier don't seem to be taking part.)
The late-2021 tour will hit Toronto and Vancouver, plus a handful of U.S. cities. See the schedule below. Band leader A.C. Newman said in a statement:
Everyone wants to be successful but, hand to my heart, I had no delusions of success for the New Pornographers. To be here over 20 years later, still in the game, is something that I simultaneously take for granted (you just get used to it) and feel eternally grateful for. Been here so long that we can do one of those "let's play that old album all the way through!" gigs. And we are doing just that. 2 nights per city: 1 Mass Romantic, 1 Twin Cinema, plus assorted "hits" from our storied career. Bejar is coming and God knows if we'll get him again. When he moved to Spain 2 months after Mass Romantic came out, I thought he was done in the band and now 21 years later we've convinced him to come along for another ride. Just the nature of our band that it's a special occasion when all the singers show up. Here's to you showing up as well!
The album is available to pre-order. The "Letter from an Occupant" video is at the bottom of the page.
Tour dates:
11/29 Woodstock, NY - Levon Helm Studios #
11/30 Woodstock, NY - Levon Helm Studios &
12/01 Washington DC - 9:30 Club #
12/01 Washington DC - 9:30 Club &
12/03 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
12/04 New York, NY - Webster Hall &
12/06 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall #
12/07 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall &
12/09 Seattle, WA - Neptune #
12/10 Seattle, WA - Neptune &
12/11 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre #
12/12 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre &
# Performing Mass Romantic
& Performing Twin Cinema