Hilary Duff @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
August 9th 2026: Hilary Duff @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Hilary Duff | Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
A Millennial’s Dream would be the best way to describe the Hilary Duff concert experience. Arriving at the show, the crowd was full of superfans dressed in classic 90’s looks and costumed characters spanning Duff’s film and TV career. In a way, the show felt like a reunion (and I’m not just saying that, as I know the majority of the ladies I've known throughout my life were in attendance). Welcoming us to a cosy, pink-carpeted stage, filled with comforting neon glows, cityscapes, and sparkles, Hilary took the stage to the eager screams of fans awaiting her return to the spotlight. Even though this Lucky Me tour highlighted her return to music in support of her latest album, Hilary did not leave out the songs that we all know and love from our childhoods. There was something extremely comforting about this show that I haven’t felt in a while. Between the clips of Hilary highlighting her family and snippets of her growing up on TV, her kids running out to hug her at the end of the set, and the Citywide and vintage Aaron Carter t-shirt. The show just felt like a warm hug, reminding us of the better times of the 90’s/early 00’s
Setlist
Wake Up (With extended intro and elements of "Mature")
So Yesterday
Roommates
Weather for Tennis
The Math
Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Sparks (Shortened)
Future Tripping
With Love (with excerpts of "Dreamer")
Beat of My Heart
You, from the Honeymoon
Anywhere but Here
Growing Up
Fly (Extended Intro)
Holiday Party
We Don't Talk
Why Not
Adult Size Medium
Come Clean
Mature
What Dreams Are Made Of
Lord Huron @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
August 1st 2025: Lord Huron, Lee Fields @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Lord Huron - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
Lord Huron made their return to Philadelphia on August 1st in support of their latest album, The Cosmic Selector, Vol 1. After making a stop earlier in the day to WXPN’s Free at Noon series, the band concluded the night at The Mann Center.
Delivering a flawless 4 part set highlighting the band’s full catalog, there were also special interludes every 3-5 songs which included a couple special guests on stage. The audience could find two actors/dancers exploring some themes to the setlist throughout the night like searching, finding love, and losing it.
On top of special guests, the stage production also brought us on a journey throughout the night, changing numerous times. We started the show in an apocalyptic type setting with just a payphone on stage. This changed into a sweeping dystopian desert landscape with displays of “feeling lost ?” As we continued through more desert scapes, we ended the night in the forest as a ”storm” brought down lighted branches we were transported into a night scape of swampland and forest.
After following Lord Huron for several years now, I can truly say this was the best they’ve sounded and their stage production throughout the years has continued to go unmatched. I can’t wait to see what a Volume 2 of Cosmic Selector might have in store.
Setlist
Who Laughs Last (Kristen Stewart recording)
Looking Back
Bag of Bones
Ends of the Earth
The Ghost on the Shore
Wait by the River
Secret of Life
Used to Know
Ancient Names (Part I)
Long Lost
Twenty Long Years
Watch Me Go
I Lied
La Belle Fleur Sauvage
Frozen Pines
Meet Me in the Woods
The Night We Met
Encore:
The Night We Met (Reprise)
The World Ender
Nothing I Need
Not Dead Yet
Digging Up the Past
Lee Fields
Simple Minds @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
June 14th 2025: Simple Minds, Soft Cell, Modern English @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Simple Minds - Photos Courtesy of: Carolyn Lederach
Simple Minds brought their “Alive and Kicking Tour” to Philadelphia on June 14th, 2025. The weather could not have been more perfect as the bands took the stage in the outdoor amphitheatre at The Mann Center. To round out the 80s synth rock revival tour, Simple Minds was joined by Soft Cell and Modern English.
The seasoned bands took the stage, being sure to connect with their lively fans. Modern English opened with spirited renditions of “I Melt With You”, delivering a nostalgic, enthusiastic set that warmed up the crowd. Soft Cell followed, offering a sleek synth-pop set including their hit cover “Tainted Love” and other hits like “Memorabilia.” You could tell everyone was out to have a fun time.
Simple Minds proved why, after 40 years, they continue to fill amphitheatres around the world. Under starlit skies at the Mann, they honoured their legacy—melding old favourites with thoughtful newer material—while showing that their passion remains alive and kicking. Whether you came for the hits or the deeper cuts, this Night with Simple Minds was a resounding triumph.
Soft Cell
Modern English
Medium Build @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
September 14th 2024: Medium Build @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Medium Build - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Nicholas Carpenter, aka Medium Build, returned to Philly to play his largest crowd yet in our city. Coming off his headlining tour a few months back in support of his latest album, Country, we now find Nick opening for the one and only Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The setlist was a perfect intro to the Medium Build catalog for any new fans in the audience. For anyone like me who has gotten the pleasure of seeing all of Nick’s shows he’s played in Philly, his live show has only continued to grow better in comparison to the solo first show, to the duo set up with Nick and the man behind the keyboard, Paul Rogers. Now performing as a 4-piece you can truly embrace the music how it was intended. Despite Medium Build not being the headliner, there were folks scattered around the crowd you know were there to see MB, standing and screaming back the lyrics. I can’t wait to continue to see Medium Build grow and share his sentimental songs with the world.
Omar Apollo @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
August 25th 2024: Omar Apollo, Malcolm Todd @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Omar Apollo | Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Omar Apollo made his God Said No Tour stop in Philadelphia on a perfect Sunday evening, August 25th. It was one of those rare Summer shows where the weather perfectly matched the feeling of the music. There was a small chill in the air, accompanied by the ominous fog filling the stage. This was a long time in a while since I felt that an artist put careful thought into every produced moment on stage. From the subtle backing dancers incorporated, but not overdone. The white backdrop of the stage embraced the outfit changes. The moody lighting and stage props are also delicately incorporated throughout the set. Omar’s performance was also perfect, with a carefully planned setlist that flowed flawlessly throughout the night and spanned a lot of his vast catalogue. This was my first time getting to see Omar, and there was zero disappointment with this show. I was excited to also experience the “Pedro” track live, while Omar was fitting in a wardrobe change his dancers took a few moments to show off their moves, while we also took in the perfect words from Pedro Pascal.
Malcom Todd
Still Woozy @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
August 11th 2024: Still Woozy, MICHELLE @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Still Woozy - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Sven (aka Still Woozy) burst out on stage to a packed crowd on Sunday night in Philadelphia. After an unbearable heatwave most of this Summer, we couldn’t have asked for a better night to embrace the vibes of Still Woozy under the trees and stars without miserably sweating. Still Woozy did not disappoint, with a setlist that covered a wide range of his catalogue, including a lot of tracking from his latest album, Loveseat. You couldn’t help but get swept up in Sven’s performance, embracing each song with excitement as if it was his first time performing it. The crowd soaked it in, singing back every word. It was also exciting to see the little fuzzy guy from the album cover show up mid-set on stage.
The adorable 4-piece, MICHELLE, opened the set. I’ve been following these gals for a bit, so I was super excited to catch their live set and it was nothing short of unique. Not only did they have coordinated colours for their outfits, but the entire set had planned out choreography. I'm excited to hear more from them on their upcoming album later this year.
Setlist
Again
Window
Get By
All Your Life
Shit Don't Change
Baby
Rocky
Lemon
Lucy
Forwards
That's Life
Little Things
Kenny
Cooks
Drake
Run It Back
Lava
Frida Kahlo
Shotput
Habit
WTF
Encore:
Rid Of Me
Goodie Bag
MICHELLE
Middle Kids @ The Mann - Philadelphia
August 26th 2023: Middle Kids @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia, PA
Middle Kids - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Australia’s Middle Kids made their return to the US opening for Jimmy Eat World and Manchester Orchestra’s The Amplified Echos tour. The tour closed out in Philadelphia on August 25th, a hot and humid Saturday night. Despite the radiating heat, the 4-piece gave a flawless performance of new and old tunes, including their latest bop “Highlands”. My only complaint is the short 8 track setlist, which leaves me in anticipation for them to return to the States on (hopefully) a headlining tour.
Setlist
Never Start
Mistake
Stacking Chairs
Highlands
R U 4 Me?
Questions
Bootleg Firecracker
Edge of Town
Young the Giant / Milky Chance @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
June 11th 2023: Young the Giant & Milky Chance, TALK @ The Mann Center - Philadelphia
Sameer of Young The Giant - Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Lederach
Last year Young the Giant released their 5th studio album, American Bollywood, an album showcasing the themes around Sameer Gadhia parent’s move from India to the United States and what they went through as American immigrants. The stage design immediately caught my attention, capturing themes of the album while also adding on fun themes like a disco ball. Another exciting element of the show was the break up of the setlist into four different Acts (much like the album), sprinkling three or four songs split up with a mildly Wes Anderson video breaking up the sets.
This tour was also special because we were treated to a co-headlining bill comprised of Germany’s Milky Chance. The band was also celebrating a recent album release with Living in a Haze. Featuring their signature sound of New Wave and blending elements of reggae and club beats, you can’t help but have a little dance and fun.
Milky Chance
TALK
