Los Angeles-based pop-rock band Under the Influence of Giants will highlight the MLS Cup 2006 Halftime Show, broadcast live to a national television audience on Sunday, November 12, 2006 (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET). Local Dallas pop group The Polyphonic Spree will perform at the pre-game show. The two top teams in Major League Soccer, the New England Revolution representing the Eastern Conference and the Houston Dynamo representing the Western Conference, will face off in America's professional soccer championship, MLS Cup 2006.
Island Def Jam recording artists Under the Influence of Giants, who will be performing their hit "In the Clouds," have become a mainstay on iTunes since the album debuted in the top 10 of the iTunes Album Chart. Their first single, "Mama's Room," was featured as an iTunes Single Of The Week, generating over 300,000 downloads. The band's iTunes "Sessions" recordings will launch on November 14, two days after MLS Cup 2006. UTIOG has received rave reviews from, amongst others, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and the Los Angeles Times. With its combination of rock energy tempered with pop sensibility, harmonies and groove-based funk, Under the Influence of Giants' self-titled debut album has proven to be one of the most acclaimed new artist albums of 2006. UTIOG is currently on a national U.S. tour that includes shows with Angels & Airwaves and Cobra Starship. The band recently finished the Verizon College Tour with All American Rejects.
The Polyphonic Spree, a participating band paired with FC Dallas in the new adidas MLS Mash-ups campaign, will provide the pre-game entertainment when its more than two dozen members perform their catchy pop lyrics in front of a hometown crowd. The group, which at any given concert can have as many as 30 members contributing to the musical arrangement, has built up a huge following in their hometown of Dallas and their new EP entitled Wait, released on September 5, has received exceptional reviews from music critics. The band's involvement in the new advertising campaign can be viewed online at www.mlsmashups.com.
"We are excited to have both Under the Influence of Giants and The Polyphonic Spree performing at this year's MLS Cup 2006," said Soccer United Marketing Vice President of Special Events Geoffrey Hayes. "With performers like Christina Aguilera, Michelle Branch, Paulina Rubio and Switchfoot highlighting past MLS events, we are proud to continue the tradition of providing what we believe is world-class entertainment at our marquee events."
Tickets for MLS Cup 2006 are currently available to the public. Prices range from $35-$150 with seven different seating options for fans. MLS Cup 2006 ticket orders have already come in from 33 different states plus the District of Columbia and four international countries. More information regarding MLS Cup 2006 can be found by calling FC Dallas at 1-888-FCD-GOAL (323-4625) or by visiting www.MLSCup.com or www.fcdallas.net.
Pizza Hut Park is the world's largest professional and youth soccer complex. Called "a dream come true" by ESPN, Pizza Hut Park opened its doors on August 6, 2005 to a rousing success. The combination of a world-class stadium and 17 adjacent soccer fields makes Pizza Hut Park one of a kind among the world's soccer facilities. Located at the intersection of Main Street and the Dallas North Tollway in Frisco, Pizza Hut Park is approximately 30 miles north of downtown Dallas. Check out www.MLSnet.com for more details.
