Official press release:
Following the triumphant release of their third full-length album, In Vaults, through Laser’s Edge in August, Chicago prog/alternative rock act District 97 confirms several changes in the band’s lineup in advance of their impending very first world tour next year, and announces the first round of European tour dates.
Through a fully amicable separation, District 97 has parted ways with Rob Clearfield and Patrick Mulcahy, replacing them with two other talented Chicago-based musicians Andrew Lawrence on keyboards and Tim Seisser on bass. The rest of the band is grateful to Clearfield and Mulcahy for their immeasurable contributions to the band for for nearly a decade, yet is excited to welcome the new members aboard for their next chapter. Footage of Tim Seisser and a clip of Andrew Lawrence can be seen below.
With the new member installations complete, the new District 97 lineup will take to stages around the globe next year. The band has already confirmed a leg of European tour dates in March, with shows across the UK followed by a set at Art Rock IV Festival in Reichenbach, Germany and Progdreams Festival in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, with more shows to be confirmed. On the tour, the band will be spotlighting material from In Vaults, as well as music from across their catalog. It is a rare treat indeed that they are able to team up overseas with another artist at the forefront of American Progressive Rock, Dave Kerzner. These will be very special shows not likely to be repeated.
Upon their stateside return the tour will continue throughought the US Midwest and East Coast in May, with a show in New Jersey already confirmed and shows in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Baltimore, Philly, New York, Boston and more coming together, making this the band’s first ever world tour. Check out the band’s website for more on the tour RIGHT HERE.
3/26 – London, UK | The Borderline *
3/27 – Liecester, UK | The Musician’s Pub *
3/28 – Bilstn, UK | The Robin 2 *
3/29 – Manchester, UK | Sound Control *
3/31 – Russellsheim, DE | Das Rind *
4/01 – Rechenbach, DE | Art Rock IV Festival
4/02 – Nuremburg, DE | Z-Bau ^
4/03 – Zoetermeer, NL | Progdreams Festival ~
5/17 – Dunellen, NJ | Roxy and Duke’s
* = w/ Dave Kerzner Band
^ = w/ Effloresce
~ = w/ Three Friends, Focus and more
District 97’s drummer and primary composer, Jonathan Schang, is honored to be among those nominated in the Prog Category of the 2016 Modern Drummer Readers Poll. He is in very good company with Gavin Harrison, Marco Minneman, Todd Sucherman, and Matt Garsika! Cast your vote HERE.