Full Breakdown
The Chicks Launch 20th-Anniversary “Taking the Long Way” Tour
5/28/2026, 12:51:36 AM
Tour Announcement and Core Details
The Chicks announced a 16-date “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour” that will begin on September 30, 2026 at Detroit’s Fox Theatre and conclude with two shows on November 1-2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The run visits ten U.S. cities—Chicago, New York, San Antonio, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Nashville, Austin, and Los Angeles—with two-night engagements in several markets. All performances will be staged in intimate theaters rather than arenas, emphasizing acoustic detail and audience proximity.
Background: “Taking the Long Way” and Its Political Fallout
Released on May 23, 2006, *Taking the Long Way* debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earned five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Not Ready to Make Nice.” The album emerged after lead singer Natalie Maines publicly denounced President George W. Bush and the Iraq War at a 2003 London concert, prompting radio bans, CD-smashing rallies, and a nationwide backlash that reshaped the trio’s career.
The Trio and Their Legacy
The group consists of vocalist Natalie Maines, violinist and backing vocalist Martie Maguire, and banjoist and backing vocalist Emily Strayer. After a 13-year hiatus, they returned in 2020 with *Gaslighter* under the shortened name The Chicks, following a 2020 name change from the Dixie Chicks. Their career includes 13 Grammy Awards, multiple Billboard Music Awards, and sales exceeding 30 million albums, making them the best-selling U.S. female band.
Tour Format, Dates, and Ticketing
Ticketing opens with an artist presale on June 3, 2026 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by a general sale on June 4 at the same hour via the band’s website, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster. The tour’s subtitle, “Still Not Ready to Make Nice,” references the 2006 anthem. Special-guest singer-songwriter Patty Griffin will appear on select dates. The tour marks the trio’s first U.S. theater circuit since an arena tour in 2023.
Why the Tour Matters
Performing the album in its entirety for the first time offers fans a curated experience of a record that combined personal resilience with political defiance. The intimate venue choice underscores the band’s intent to foreground lyrical content and harmonies, reinforcing the album’s legacy as a cultural touchstone for artistic freedom in a polarized era.
Official Statements & Responses
The Chicks posted “Still not ready to make nice” on Instagram, framing the tour as a “triumphant victory lap” celebrating the album’s impact. Live Nation’s promotion emphasizes the group’s “powerhouse vocals and electrifying stage presence” and the tour’s role in honoring the album that “defined a generation.” The band’s representatives have highlighted the tour’s focus on connection with longtime fans.
Criticism & Opposition
The White House’s spokesperson, Davis Ingle, publicly denounced Maines, describing her as a “despicable nobody” suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Earlier in 2026, Maines used an Instagram caption to label President Donald Trump a “fugly slut,” drawing further political criticism. These remarks illustrate ongoing tensions between the trio’s outspoken activism and governmental responses.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Still not ready to make nice.” — The Chicks, Instagram post
- “We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” — Natalie Maines, 2003 London concert
- “This fugly slut is using your gas money to pay the insurrectionists.” — Natalie Maines, Instagram caption, 2026
- “The Chicks will bring their powerhouse vocals and electrifying stage presence to intimate theatres across the U.S., honoring the enduring impact of the album that defined a generation, and celebrating the deep connection with their fans.” — Live Nation promoter
- “For the first time, every song on the album is co-written by the Chicks themselves, exploring themes both deeply private and resoundingly political.” — Album liner notes, *Taking the Long Way*
What’s Next
The tour will run through early November 2026, after which the trio is expected to resume festival appearances, including opening dates for Tim McGraw’s stadium shows in summer 2026. No additional album releases have been announced.
