An Unforgettable Night: The Head and the Heart Shine on 15th Anniversary Tour in Chicago
Review and photos by Olivia Pierce
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, The Head and the Heart celebrated the fifteen-year anniversary of their self-titled debut album at Auditorium Theatre. Their celebratory tour includes over forty stops between now and September 2026.
Guests arriving at the Auditorium Theatre on time were first treated to a performance by the support act, The Brudi Brothers. They offered a heartwarming set of bluegrass and folk to set the tone for the evening. Shortly after, the Head and the Heart took the stage.
The stage design was modeled after a living room, decorated with mementos from the band members, including a Meet the Beatles vinyl, a sofa, and a framed painting of their self-titled album cover.
The Head and the Heart brought electric energy into the space, utilizing a diverse soundscape to bring their album to life. Charity Rose Thielen started the set on violin, also adding vocals and percussive elements such as shakers. When Jonathan Russell was not accompanying himself on guitar, he was playing the tambourine with the joy of one at a Southern Baptist revival.
The Head and the Heart invited a personal friend onto the stage to play acoustic guitar with them for their second song. The performance seemed to be as moving for the band as it was for the audience—Kenny Hensley leapt up from the piano bench numerous times, elevating yet remaining just grounded enough to keep his hands on the keys.
Many attendees were father-and-son duos, highlighting the intergenerational reach of The Head and the Heart as well as the timelessness of their debut album.
With the entire audience singing along, the evening definitely felt like a complete celebration and commemoration of the band’s debut album.
Read more reviews here!
The Head and the Heart 15th Anniversary Tour Setlist:
Cats and Dogs
Coeur d’Alene
Ghosts
Down in the Valley
Rivers and Roads
Honey Come Home
Lost in My Mind
Winter Song
Sounds Like Hallelujah
Heaven Go Easy on Me
Encore:
Ever Since (Chasing a Ghost)
Library Magic
After the Setting Sun
Another Story
All We Ever Knew
Honeybee
Let’s Be Still
Arrow
Missed Connection
Shake
Gone
Encore 2:
Glory of Music
Gallery:
Photos © 2026 by: Olivia Pierce
The Head and the Heart Tour Dates:
May 4, 2026 – The Riverside Theater – Milwaukee, WI w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 7, 2026 – Bearsville Theater – Woodstock, NY w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 8, 2026 – Capitol Center for the Arts – Chubb Theatre – Concord, NH The Brudi Brothers
May 9, 2026 – Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art – North Adams, MA w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 10, 2026 – Brooklyn Paramount – Brooklyn, NY w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 12, 2026 – The Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 13, 2026 – Keswick Theatre – Glenside, PA w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 14, 2026 – Boch Center Wang Theatre – Boston, MA w/ The Brudi Brothers
May 31, 2026 – Ridgefield Playhouse – Ridgefield, CT
Jun 19, 2026 – Zootown Festival – Missoula, MT
Jun 26, 2026 – North To Shore Festival – Freehold, NJ
Jul 8, 2026 – Orpheum Theatre – Vancouver, BC w/ Michael Marcagi
Jul 10, 2026 – Remlinger Farms – Carnation, WA w/ Michael Marcagi and Dean Johnson
Jul 11, 2026 – Remlinger Farms – Carnation, WA w/ Michael Marcagi and Dean Johnson
Jul 12, 2026 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR w/ Michael Marcagi
Jul 15, 2026 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – w/ The Colorado Symphony & Evan Honer
Jul 16, 2026 – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO w/ Wilderado
Jul 18, 2026 – KC Live! – Kansas City, MO w/ Houndmouth
Jul 19, 2026 – Val Air Ballroom – West Des Moines, IA w/ Wilderado
Jul 21, 2026 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI w/ Wilderado
Jul 22, 2026 – The Factory – Chesterfield, MO w/ Houndmouth
Jul 23, 2026 – CommonHealth Spirit Stage at Gatton Park – Lexington, KY w/ Wilderado
Jul 25, 2026 – The Capitol Theatre – Port Chester, NY w/ Wilderado
Jul 26, 2026 – Wolf Trap – Filene Center – Vienna, VA
Jul 28, 2026 – The Muse – Nantucket, MA
Jul 29, 2026 – The Muse – Nantucket, MA
Jul 31, 2026 – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards – LaFayette, NY w/ Houndmouth
Aug 1, 2026 – Burlington Waterfront Park – Burlington, VT w/ Houndmouth
Aug 2, 2026 – Thompson’s Point – Portland, ME w/ houndmouth
Aug 14, 2026 – OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa, CA
Aug 15, 2026 – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions – Napa, CA
Aug 16, 2026 – The Mountain Winery – Saratoga, CA
Aug 22, 2026 – Utah State Fairpark – Salt Lake City, UT – Ron McBride Foundation Benefit Concert
Sep 1, 2026 – Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC – w/ Brandi Carlile
Sep 3, 2026 – Gas South Arena – Duluth, GA – w/ Brandi Carlile
Sep 5, 2026 – Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, TX – w/ Brandi Carlile
Sep 6, 2026 – Moody Center – Austin, TX – w/ Brandi Carlile
Sep 18, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026 – Borderland Music Festival – East Aurora, NY
Sep 27, 2026 – Oceans Calling Festival – Ocean City, MD
Links:
The Head And The Heart:
Official: https://theheadandtheheart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheadandtheheart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheadandtheheart/
Auditorium Theatre:
Official: https://www.auditoriumtheatre.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auditoriumtheatre
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auditoriumtheatre
