Old 97’s Rock a Sold-out Recher – 3/26/26

March 30, 2026

David LaMason

I remember when I was in high school and The Rolling Stones had their Steel Wheels Tour and being amazed at how a band could still be touring and rocking after 25 years. Certainly 25 years is a major milestone in any relationship, not to mention being in a band with three (or more) other people. But with over 30 years since their debut, the Old 97’s have surpassed that milestone and show no signs of slowing down.

The Old 97’s have been around for 33 years with the same line-up. As guitarist Ken Bethea told the sold-out crowd at the legendary Recher in Towson Thursday, the quartet has been through a lot in those three plus decades but it’s been the fans that have been the glue for this Dallas-based band. And, in a lot of ways, the Old 97’s have been there for the fans, creating the soundtrack to so many memories.

The band recently played a gig in their hometown as part of a documentary that singer Rhett Miller explained will showcase the incredible longevity. And carrying on that spirit, the Old 97’s pulled into The Recher on the second night of their Spring Tour to play, well, a little bit of everything from that storied career.

Opening the packed show was Lizzie No, a New York-based singer-songwriter who I had missed once before, but I’m glad I didn’t miss this second opportunity. After a brief introduction by Miller, Lizzie No and her band – Kapali Long and Billy Greene both on guitar – really put on a performance that brought joy, beauty, righteous anger, and a touch of sadness in that brief time she was on-stage.

The Old 97’s, taking the stage, kicked things off with a handful of older songs like “Streets of Where I’m From” and the rump-shaking “Dance With Me” with that Dick Dale-flavored guitar solo. It really was a retrospective with the newest song being the rockin’ “Somebody” from their 2024 full-length American Primitive.

There’s just something about hearing a song that you remember listening to on repeat being performed in real time. For me that was hearing “Designs On You.” Having seen the Old 97’s several times over the years – the first time actually being at The Recher opening for Wilco 27 years ago – that feeling never wanes.

Although the band is from Texas, in between songs, bassist Murry Hammond told the crowd of living part of his life in Gaithersburg, Maryland (“As far east as you can get”) before taking the lead in “W. TX Teardrops.”

In a surprise, the band brought Lizzie No back to the stage for a great version of “Good With God,” which was originally recorded with Brandi Carlile. The foot stomper was moving and sounded incredible – when No’s and Miller’s voices melded it was chill-inducing!

Some of the biggest rockers came near the end of the set with “Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)” and a particularly blistering drum solo by Philip Peeples on “Doreen.”

Take a look at the Official Lyric Video for “Somebody” by Old 97’s:

Starting off the encore, Rhett Miller came out solo to play “Question” before the rest of the band came out to finish up with “Murder (Or a Heart Attack)” and “Timebomb.”

Although I’m hoping for a new Old 97’s record in the near future, both Rhett Miller and Murry Hammond recently released solo albums with Miller embarking on a solo tour with a stop in Baltimore’s own Club 603 April 26.

The Old 97’s put on the type of show that has you dancing in your soul if not your shoes, and getting the chance to see them live is one to not pass up. The band is on tour now with other nearby stops in Philly on April 3 and the 9:30 Club in DC on April 4.

The setlist included:

Streets of Where I’m From
Won’t Be Home
Dance With Me
Busted Afternoon
W. TX Teardrops
Somebody
Designs on You
Good With God (with Lizzie No)
Longer Than You’ve Been Alive
Stoned
Valentine
Champaign, Illinois
Big Brown Eyes
Rollerskate Skinny
Can’t Get a Line
Barrier Reef
Every Night Is Friday Night (Without You)
Doreen