IDG World Expo says indie rock powerhouse Modest Mouse will headline the Macworld | iWorld 2012 launch party on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at The Warfield in San Francisco.

IDG World Expo, which owns and produces Macworld | iWorld, also announced its partnership with Superfly Productions, the entertainment and marketing agency responsible for music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Outside Lands and Life is Good. Superfly and IDG World Expo will produce the opening night kick-off concert with Modest Mouse and host two special Tech Talks sessions that will focus on the impact of Apple technology on the film and music industries, respectively.
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"We see this kick-off celebration with Modest Mouse as a perfect way to launch the new Macworld | iWorld," says Paul Kent, vice president and general manager of Macworld | iWorld. "Veteran and new attendees alike will enjoy this event. Modest Mouse has become an indie rock standard and one of the few bands capable of treading the narrow path where massive popularity is possible without sacrificing their longtime fans. In a way, we feel this is in line with our own evolution into a celebration of the entire Apple ecosystem and its tremendous impact on the creative process."

Tickets for the launch party are now available. Macworld | iWorld iFan pass holders will have the first option to purchase tickets for US$35.

Formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, Modest Mouse released three critically-acclaimed albums -- "This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About" in 1996 and "The Lonesome Crowded West" in 1997, both on the Up label, and "The Moon and Antarctica" in 2000, the band's major label debut for Epic Records -- before their commercial breakthrough "Good News For People Who Love Bad News" in 2004. The album, which included the hit "Float On," earned the band two Grammy nominations. In 2007, Modest Mouse released "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank," which entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #1.

Macworld | iWorld will take place Jan. 26-28, 2012, at the Moscone Center -- West Hall in San Francisco. The opening night kick-off celebration is another new event offering for the 2012 event. Additional new programs include expanded product exhibit offerings, the Macworld Midway, Tech Talks, Music Experience, Film Event and Art Galleries. Admission to the opening night kick-off celebration requires an additional registration fee.

Attendee registration is now open at: https://register.rcsreg.com/r2/macsf2012/ga/clear.html . Information about event passes and pricing can be found at: http://www.macworldiworld.com/packages-and-prices .