Matchbox Twenty is coming to Braden Auditorium. (Photo: Randall Slavin)

Emblem/Atlantic recording group Matchbox Twenty has announced the first leg of their eagerly awaited North American headline tour.

The multiplatinum rock band’s tour will make a stop at Braden Auditorium in Normal on February 6, 2013.

Pre-sale tickets for all dates will be available to members of the matchboxtwenty.com community from November 13-15. All remaining tickets will then go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, November 16.

Matchbox Twenty is teaming up with Tickets-for-Charity for these dates to offer fans access to some of the best seats in the house, while benefiting great causes at the same time. Every ticket purchased through TicketsforCharity.com creates a donation to charities supported by Matchbox Twenty, as well as causes fans themselves can choose to benefit. For more information on Tickets-for-Charity visit www.ticketsforcharity.com.

The 2013 tour celebrates Matchbox Twenty’s blockbuster album, “NORTH,” which exploded into the No. 1 position on the SoundScan/Billboard 200 after its first week in release earlier this year. Fueled by critical acclaim – as well as the hit singles, “She’s So Mean” and “Overjoyed” – the album’s unprecedented success marked the band’s first-ever chart-topper and #1 debut.

“NORTH” is the band’s fourth full-length studio recording and first all-new album in a decade. The result of their labors stands among the band’s finest, with songs like “Put Your Hands Up” and the top 10 sensation, “She’s So Mean.”

In addition to more than 30 million records sold worldwide, Matchbox Twenty has also earned countless accolades, including five Grammy nominations, four American Music Award nods, the 2004 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Musical Group.”

Furthermore, Rob Thomas has proven one of the most highly decorated artists of recent years, receiving three Grammy Awards, 11 BMI Awards, and two Billboard “Songwriter of the Year” honors for both his chart-topping solo work as well as collaborations with such legends as Santana, Mick Jagger, and Willie Nelson. Thomas’ collaboration with Carlos Santana on “Smooth” was also named the No. 2 “Most Popular Song Ever” on Billboard’s list of the “100 Most Popular Songs Behind ‘The Twist.’” He was also named to Billboard’s “Top 20 List of Hot 100 Songwriters 2000-2011” at No. 5, and was the top-ranking artist/songwriter on the list.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 16 at 10 a.m. Reserved seat tickets ($75/$55/$39) will be available for purchase at Braden box office, all Ticketmaster outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com. If you need special accommodation to fully participate in this event contact Braden Box Office at (309) 438-5444. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

Illinois State student pre-sale starts Wednesday, November 14 at 10 a.m. A $5 discount is available for current Illinois State students with proof of ID at Braden Box Office only.