LENOX, Mass. - The Boston Pops are getting ready for their annual "July 4th Spectacular" concert, but, instead of performing on the Boston Esplanade as usual, they’ll be at Tanglewood.
The Pops will be performing their traditional medley of patriotic favorites, with guest appearances by Late Show bandleader John Batiste, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame R&B singer Mavis Staples.
The fireworks show which typically follows the performance will still take place in Boston, but there will be no fireworks in Lenox.
This will be the first concert at Tanglewood since September 2019, and the first time the Pops have played in front of a live audience in more than a year.
“I’ve been doing this for like 40 years of my life, and I suddenly feel like I’m like 25 years old again and doing it for the first time,” said Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. “I’m kind of like, ‘What’s it like when there’s an audience out there?’ But I have to say my enthusiasm and my anticipation are overwhelming any nerves that I have.”
The concert kicks off at 8 p.m. on Sunday night, and although admission is free, all 9,000 available tickets have already been distributed.