The Shins are an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1996. The band’s current lineup consists of James Mercer (vocals, guitar), Jon Sortland (drums), Yuuki Matthews (bass), Mark Watrous (guitar, keyboards), and Patti King (guitar, keyboards). The Shins are best known for their hit singles “New Slang” and “Simple Song” as well as their critically acclaimed albums Oh, Inverted World (2001), Chutes Too Narrow (2003) and Wincing the Night Away (2007).
Brief History of The Shins
The Shins were formed by singer-songwriter James Mercer in 1996. After releasing two 7″ singles in 1998 under the name Flake Music, Mercer renamed the band The Shins in 1999 and released the singles “Nature Bears a Vacuum” and “When I Goose-Step” on Omnibus Records. Their debut full-length album Oh, Inverted World was issued by Sub Pop Records in 2001. With their melodic indie pop sound, the album helped establish The Shins’ as a leading act in the indie rock genre in the early 2000s.
Chutes Too Narrow followed in 2003 on Sub Pop, expanding the band’s sound and popularity. The single “So Says I” brought the band mainstream attention. By the mid-2000s, The Shins were one of the top indie rock acts in the US.
In 2007, the band released Wincing the Night Away, their third studio album which debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200. The album contained the hit single “Phantom Limb” and earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.
After this, The Shins went through a number of lineup changes around frontman James Mercer. They released the album Port of Morrow in 2012 with Mercer being the only original member left in the band. Their fifth studio album, Heartworms, came out in 2017 on Mercer’s own record label Aural Apothecary.
The Shins’ Touring History
The Shins have consistently toured throughout their career since first coming onto the music scene in the late 90s. Some highlights of their touring history include:
– 2001-2002: Toured the US and Europe supporting the release of Oh, Inverted World, playing shows with Modest Mouse and Red House Painters
– 2003-2004: Headlining tour across North America and Europe after Chutes Too Narrow, playing Coachella music festival
– 2005-2007: Extensive worldwide touring including US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan around Wincing the Night Away
– 2012: The Shins’ first tour as a revamped lineup to support Port of Morrow, playing festivals like Lollapalooza
– 2013: Co-headlining tour with Modest Mouse
– 2016-2017: Headlining dates and festival appearances including Coachella, supporting Heartworms
– 2018: North American co-headlining tour with Foster the People; also played Austin City Limits festival
So in summary, The Shins actively toured in support of all five of their studio albums over the past two decades. They’ve played major festivals like Coachella several times and have headlined their own tours as well as opened for bands like Modest Mouse. Despite lineup changes, the band has maintained a steady presence on the touring circuit.
Are The Shins Still Touring in 2022-2023?
2022 Touring Activities
In 2022, The Shins were active on the touring circuit as they celebrated the 21st anniversary of their debut album Oh, Inverted World. Some of their tour dates included:
- March-April: US headlining shows in the Southwest and West Coast
- May-June: Festival appearances including Bottlerock, Sasquatch, and Primavera Sound
- July: Canadian shows including Winnipeg Folk Festival and Ottawa Bluesfest
- August: Japan tour with four shows in Tokyo and Osaka
- September-October: Return to the US for more headlining gigs and festival sets like Austin City Limits
Upcoming 2023 Tour Plans
The Shins currently have not announced any definitive touring plans for 2023 yet. However, in recent interviews frontman James Mercer has hinted that the band will likely be back on the road next year:
– They’ve mentioned potentially doing another anniversary tour celebrating 20 years of Chutes Too Narrow in 2023.
– The band has also been talking about playing some European festivals next summer.
– With no new Shins album confirmed for 2023, it seems like touring is likely to promote their existing catalog.
While all their 2023 tour dates haven’t been revealed yet, fans can probably expect to see The Shins doing more live shows and festival appearances next year based on these hints. They continue to have a devoted following that loves seeing them perform their indie rock hits live.
Factors Supporting Further Touring
There are several factors indicating The Shins will keep actively touring in the foreseeable future:
- They still have a dedicated fanbase who wants to see them live – their shows keep selling out
- Frontman James Mercer seems committed to keeping the band going and touring behind their 5 studio albums
- The economics of the music industry today favor bands making money through live performances and merchandise sales
- The Shins have a deep back catalog of songs to choose from to keep live shows fresh and interesting for fans
- Festivals often book “nostalgia” acts like The Shins who have enduring popularity
Unless the band members themselves decide to stop touring, The Shins have plenty of reasons to hit the road regularly in upcoming years. They can play different sets each tour by mixing up selections from over 20 years of releases.
Setlists and Performances on Recent Tours
To give a sense of The Shins’ current live show, here’s a look at some common songs they’ve been playing on tours in 2022 along with reviews of their performances:
Frequent Songs Played
New Slang | Simple Song |
Phantom Limb | Saint Simon |
So Says I | The Rifle’s Spiral |
Kissing the Lipless | Turn On Me |
Caring Is Creepy | Name For You |
No Way Down | Port of Morrow |
Recent Setlist Examples
June 25, 2022 – Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Caring Is Creepy | So Says I |
Saint Simon | New Slang |
Phantom Limb | Kissing the Lipless |
Turn On Me | Simple Song |
The Rifle’s Spiral | Sleeping Lessons |
September 30, 2022 – ACL Festival, Austin
Name For You | Mine’s Not a High Horse |
Saint Simon | New Slang |
So Says I | Phantom Limb |
Port of Morrow | Simple Song |
Turn On Me | Australia |
Recent Reviews
- “Lead singer James Mercer’s voice remains instantly recognizable and sublime….the band’s crystal-clear sound mixing highlighted the strengths of their catalogue.” – Austin Chronicle on their ACL Fest set
- “The Shins’ meticulously crafted sound still thrilled fans as they rocked through alt-pop hits with infectious energy.” – Orange County Register reviewing their Ohana Festival show
- “They capably reproduced the baroque pop sound of their albums for an adoring crowd who knew all the words.” – Vancouver Sun about their Orpheum Theatre concert
So based on their varied setlists and positive reviews, The Shins continue to deliver entertaining live performances playing fan favorites from their whole discography. The musicianship and vocals remain excellent.
Possibility of New Music
As mentioned, The Shins haven’t formally announced plans for a new album in 2023 yet. Their last studio release was 2017’s Heartworms. In interviews over the past year, James Mercer has hinted that new music could be coming but didn’t offer many details.
Some insights on the possibility of The Shins releasing new songs or an album in the near future:
- Mercer said writing new music is a slower process lately as he has focused more on raising his family in recent years
- The band may opt to release singles or EPs periodically rather than committing to a full album project
- But in 2022 Mercer said he had written “a fair amount of songs” and implied they were considering recording again soon
- The Shins’ change to self-releasing albums on their own label gives them creative freedom and flexibility for surprise releases
- Touring behind old favorites may buy them time before feeling pressure to deliver a new record
While not guaranteed, there are good chances faithful fans will get to hear some fresh Shins material in the next 1-2 years. The band sounds rejuvenated on the road and seems capable of recapturing their artistic heights. An album in late 2023 can’t be ruled out.
The Shins’ Continued Relevance and Influence
The Shins emerged in the late 90s indie rock era alongside bands like Modest Mouse, Spoon and Arcade Fire. They’ve now been making music for over 20 years. Some keys to their ongoing relevance even today:
- James Mercer’s songwriting and earnest delivery remain relatable and compelling for listeners
- Their catalog of singles still sound great on playlists next to current alternative and indie pop hits
- Younger artists like Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend have cited The Shins as influences on their work
- Reviews of recent shows praise the timeless quality of Mercer’s melodies and arrangements
- They’ve adapted their lineup while retaining musical consistency fans expect from The Shins
The early Shins records hold up well sonically which allows modern streaming audiences to discover the band. Their ability to write infectious pop songs rooted in indie rock aesthetics helps them stay relevant. Today you can find teens alongside older fans at their concerts singing along to “New Slang.”
Conclusion
In summary, The Shins remain an active touring band in 2022-2023. Frontman James Mercer has indicated they plan to continue hitting the road next year playing festivals and their own headline shows. Their impressive back catalog gives them plenty of material to keep live sets fresh and satisfying for longtime devotees. While not confirmed yet, new music appears possible in the next couple years based on Mercer’s recent interviews. Two decades removed from their debut, The Shins’ signature sound and songs continue influencing today’s indie pop landscape. Their concerts deliver nostalgia along with showcasing excellent musicianship that keeps fans coming back. So indie lovers can anticipate more chances to catch The Shins’ powerful performances on tour as they celebrate over 20 years as one of the genre’s most respected groups.