Behind The Lens: The Hold Steady Mark 20 Years Of 'Boys And Girls In America' with 'Constructive Summer 2026'
- Charles Luberisse
- 39 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Hold Steady are commemorating the 20th anniversary of their landmark 2006 album Boys And Girls In America with Constructive Summer 2026, a multi-city run of curated weekend events set for Boston and Chicago. The celebration begins April 30–May 3 in the Boston area before heading to Chicago June 11–13, with an additional Pacific Northwest edition scheduled for Portland and Seattle August 7–9.
Boston: Four Nights at The Sinclair
The Boston edition centers around four nights at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA. Full rock shows take place Thursday, April 30 through Saturday, May 2, followed by a special Sunday matinee Storytellers set on May 3. The Storytellers format places the band in a seated, reflective mode—offering commentary and context around the songs that defined an era.
Weekend add-ons elevate the experience beyond standard tour stops. Friday’s Soundcheck/Happy Hour includes live run-throughs, drinks, and conversation with the band, while Saturday features a themed Pub Quiz. Three-day and four-day passes are available, along with individual tickets and seated or standing options for Sunday’s Storytellers performance. Select add-ons are exclusively available with four-day passes.
Chicago: From Intimate Sets to a Full-Scale Outdoor Celebration
The Chicago leg culminates in an all-day outdoor event at The Salt Shed (Fairgrounds) on Saturday, June 13. The lineup includes special guests Built to Spill, Bully, and Titus Andronicus, expanding the anniversary into a broader indie-rock summit.
Chicago festivities begin June 11 with a seated Storytellers performance at Thalia Hall, followed by a high-energy club show June 12 at the legendary Empty Bottle. Ticket tiers range from single-day GA to VIP Gold Circle, Premium Club Level access, and a Three Top Lounge upgrade at The Salt Shed, which includes skyline views, indoor-outdoor access, elevated food and beverage options, and private amenities.
Exclusive Merch & International Dates
Fans attending Constructive Summer 2026 can purchase an exclusive merch bundle add-on featuring an event poster, tote bag, and Boys And Girls In America script baseball cap.
Before summer arrives, the band will head overseas for The Weekender 2026 in London (March 5–8), featuring Storytellers and headline sets across multiple venues including The Dome, Electric Ballroom, and Dingwalls.
Two decades after its release, Boys And Girls In America remains a defining document of mid-2000s rock storytelling. Constructive Summer 2026 reframes the anniversary not just as nostalgia, but as a communal deep-dive—pairing full-throttle performances with conversation, reflection, and curated fan experiences.
Tickets for all U.S. dates are on sale now.
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