Welcome (back) The Machine

The Historic Riviera Theatre presents The Machine - A Tribute to Pink Floyd on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m.

The Machine, America's top Pink Floyd show, has forged a 20-year reputation of excellence, extending the legacy of Pink Floyd, while creating another legacy all its own. Over the years, The Machine has touched the hearts and souls of many, selling out large clubs and theaters across North and Central America, Europe and Asia. The band has also appeared at renowned music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Riverbend and Germany's Rock of Ages.

The New York-based band focuses on making every show an authentic Floydian experience for fans. Known for performing a diverse mix of Pink Floyd's extensive 16-album repertoire (complete with faithful renditions of well known hits and obscure gems), The Machine's stellar musicianship, dramatic lighting and video, and its passionate delivery sets members above and beyond the rest.

In the classic tradition, The Machine explores collective improvisation paralleling and even rivaling that of an early 1970's Pink Floyd mentality. The use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays continues in the spirit of the later Floyd lineups of the 1980s. The band is also known for recreating entire albums as a part of their show, accepting requests from fans, and for taking an A to Z approach in which one song is played for every letter of the alphabet. Additionally, the quartet has been sharing the stage with full symphony orchestras, enhancing and expanding the sonic depth of Pink Floyd.

In 2004, "Two Nights at the Keswick" was released as a DVD/CD, archiving the band's bi-annual residency at this historic Philadelphia venue. Its next release, "Unplugged" (2006), captures a special acoustic performance at B.B. King's in NYC featuring rare Syd Barrett solo material and deep cuts from early Floyd albums. The "Live in Amsterdam" concert DVD, filmed at the Pepsi Stage, was released in August of 2008. Currently, The Machine is in the studio recording a "psychedelic" collection of Pink Floyd songs expected to be released in the early winter.

The members of The Machine include founding members Todd Cohen (drums) and Joe Pascarell (guitar, vocals), with longtime stage mate Ryan Ball (bass, vocals) and newcomer Scott Chasolen (keys, vocals).

Tickets are $25 pre-sale and $30 day of show. 

For more information or for tickets, call the Riviera Theatre box office at 692-2413 (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or order online at www.rivieratheatre.org.