PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philly POPS is changing locations for its February performances, bringing concert-goers up Broad Street to the Met.
COO Karen Corbin says the POPS’ “Get Up, Stand Up,” rhythm and blues program has been moved from the Kimmel Cultural Campus to the Met for two shows next weekend.
“We have played in that venue before, and think it's just terrific from an environment standpoint and an acoustic standpoint,” said Corbin.
She calls the move to the Met an opportunity get to a different venue in a different part of the city.
“Being familiar with it, we know that our patrons will enjoy it as soon as they become familiar with the Met as well,” said Corbin.
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She says they’ve been negotiating with the Kimmel on how to finish the Philly POPS season and at this time, it’s the right choice to choose a new venue.
The Kimmel recently told KYW Newsradio the POPS missed the deadline to pay off debts of more than $1 million.
Corbin says they had been negotiating with the Kimmel for a long period of time.
“Negotiations broke down and at this moment, it seemed like the right choice was to choose a new venue, start fresh,” she said.
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The venue change comes just a few weeks after the POPS announced a successful Christmas season, seeing ticket sales on par with pre-pandemic numbers and donations made through the holiday season.
In turn, a “Save the POPS” campaign was launched, calming the fear of a previously announced closure.
“We see a path forward to get through the remaining shows this spring,” said Corbin.
A location for shows past February hasn’t been announced.