The Midnight Tour band is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California in 2005. The band is known for their high energy live shows and blend of rock, pop, and electronic music influences. Some quick answers about The Midnight Tour – they have 4 core members, have released 3 studio albums, and are currently on a worldwide tour. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of the band, their music style, and profile each of the members.
Background and History
The Midnight Tour was formed in 2005 by long-time friends Tyler Smith (lead vocals, guitar) and Cole Daniels (bass, vocals). Tyler and Cole had played together in various bands during high school and college. After graduation, they decided to form their own band and began writing songs together in Cole’s home studio.
In early 2006 they recruited drummer Justin Henry, who was known for his work with several popular local bands. The trio began playing shows at small clubs and bars around LA and quickly built up a following thanks to their energetic live performances. Later that year, keyboardist Sam Watts joined the band and rounded out the lineup.
The band chose the name The Midnight Tour as a reference to their fondness for late night recording sessions and their ambitious plans to tour extensively. In 2007 they self-released their debut EP The Night Starts Here which included the popular song “Living After Midnight”. The EP sold well at live shows and helped them gain the attention of several major record labels.
After signing with Capitol Records, the band headed into the studio to record their first full-length album. The Endless Summer was released in 2009 and reached #5 on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart, propelled by the singles “Back to You” and “Summer Sky”. The album showcased the band’s signature sound of driving guitars, pop-inspired melodies, and electronic textures.
Following the success of their debut, The Midnight Tour quickly returned to the studio to record their follow up album Afterglow which arrived in 2011. The record built upon the sound of their previous work and included the hits “Running Back” and “Fireflies”. The band continued to tour extensively and played major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo.
In 2014 the band released their third studio album Young Hearts, a more melancholy collection of songs reflecting the maturity of the band. Singles like “Miss Those Days” and “Homesick” became fan favorites. In the following years, The Midnight Tour continued releasing new music and embarked on sold out headlining tours across the US, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
As of 2022, The Midnight Tour is in the midst of a massive world tour in support of their 2022 album Midnight Reverie. They remain one of the most exciting and ambitious rock bands to emerge in the past decades. Next we’ll take a closer look at the musical style and influences of the band.
Music Style and Influences
The Midnight Tour are often described as an alt-rock, pop-rock, or indie rock band, but their sound incorporates influences from many genres.
At the core of their music is driving rock guitar riffs and solid rhythms provided by the bass and drums. The vocals melodies from Tyler and Cole range from anthemic and emotional to more subdued and introspective. Their songs also integrate electronic textures like synthesizers, keyboards, and drum machines to add atmosphere and sonic diversity.
The band cites classic rock acts like The Cars, Journey, and The Police as early influences. As they progressed, they started incorporating elements of dance-pop, synth-pop, and EDM into their sound, inspired by groups like M83, Phoenix, and Passion Pit. The combination of rock instrumentation and electronic flourishes give The Midnight Tour a style that sounds both retro and futuristic.
While many of their hits are upbeat, catchy pop-rock anthems designed for radio, much of their album tracks showcase the band’s musical depth and versatility. Quieter songs like “Hazel Eyes” and “Myths” demonstrate their talent for introspective ballads. Meanwhile harder-hitting tracks like “Uprising” and “Say Goodbye” reveal their knack for driving rock numbers.
The Midnight Tour have frequently collaborated with external songwriters and producers to develop their sound. However, Tyler and Cole have always been the primary creative forces composing the band’s songs and carefully shaping each album’s aesthetic. Their meticulous attention to detail in crafting catchy choruses, atmospheric guitars and keyboards, and emotionally resonant lyrics has enabled The Midnight Tour to thrive for over 15 years.
Next we will take a close look at each of the band’s 4 core members.
Band Members
Tyler Smith – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Tyler Smith is the frontman and guitarist of The Midnight Tour. Born in Santa Monica, California in 1983, Tyler became interested in music at a young age after inheriting his father’s guitar. As a teenager he played in local rock bands before meeting future bandmate Cole Daniels in high school.
As the singer and primary songwriter, Tyler is the driving creative force of The Midnight Tour. His soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics have become a signature part of the band’s sound. As a guitarist, he combines classic rock riffs with more modern, effects-laden textures.
Offstage, Tyler is known to be thoughtful and soft-spoken. His introspective personality often comes through in his poetic, melancholy lyrics that explore themes of relationships, nostalgia, and the passage of time. While he enjoys the energy of touring and connecting with fans, he is a homebody at heart and prefers spending down time with his wife and son.
Cole Daniels – Bass, Vocals
Born and raised in LA, Cole Daniels met Tyler Smith in high school and they quickly bonded over a shared love of classic rock bands. Cole took up bass guitar as a teenager and became known around local clubs for his technical skills and stage presence.
In The Midnight Tour, Cole handles both bass guitar and contributing backing/harmony vocals. He has an intuitive sense for writing catchy, melodic bass lines that complement Tyler’s guitar work. His punchy bass tones give the band a tight, rhythmic foundation. As a vocalist, Cole’s higher register harmonies blend smoothly with Tyler’s lead vocals.
Offstage, Cole is the most high-energy and outgoing member of the band. He loves interacting with fans at concerts and does most of the band’s interviews. Outside of music, his other passions are surfing and auto racing. When not touring, he can often be found at the beach or go-kart track.
Justin Henry – Drums
Justin Henry was born in Phoenix, Arizona where he got his start playing drums in his school’s jazz band. After relocating to LA as a teenager, he joined several local rock acts before linking up with Tyler and Cole to form The Midnight Tour.
Justin’s dynamic, propulsive drumming provides the rhythmic foundation of the band’s sound. He has the versatility to shift between driving rock beats and more subtle, syncopated patterns. His intricate drum fills act as punctuation marks in the band’s songs. On stage, Justin is a force of nature pounding out beats that energize both the band and the crowd.
Offstage, Justin is soft-spoken and contemplative. His hobbies include reading, hiking, and travel. He also enjoys learning about spirituality and mindfulness, frequently sharing his insights with bandmates. Despite being the most mild-mannered member of the band, his powerful drumming style provides the thunderous engine that drives The Midnight Tour’s live shows.
Sam Watts – Keyboards
Sam Watts plays keyboards and synthesizers in The Midnight Tour. Though he was the last to join the band, his textural keyboard parts have become essential to their sound. Sam hails from Chicago and grew up playing piano and studying music theory. After college, he relocated to LA where he gained experience as a studio musician and touring keyboardist.
In the studio, Sam works closely with Tyler and Cole to arrange keyboard parts and program synthesizers. His ear for melody helps expand the band’s sound with atmospheric synth pads, retro-futuristic arpeggios, and pulsing dance beats. On stage, Sam recreates these lush textures on a bank of keyboards anchored by his grand piano playing.
Offstage, Sam is the band’s resident gearhead. He enjoys collecting vintage synthesizers and reading manuals cover to cover. He also produces remixes and original electronic music under the name Dr. Tycho. The rest of the band relies on Sam’s technical know-how when troubleshooting issues in the studio or with their stage equipment. His quiet personality provides balance with the energy of the other members and his melodic keyboards add new dimensions to The Midnight Tour’s songs.
Conclusion
For over 15 years, The Midnight Tour have entranced listeners worldwide with their infectious pop-rock anthems and emotionally resonant songwriting. The musical chemistry between Tyler, Cole, Justin, and Sam allows them to build expansive songs that crossover between rock, pop, and electronic music. After numerous hit albums and singles, the band continues reaching new fans as they embark on their latest world tour.
Offstage, the four members’ differing personalities and musical backgrounds provide balance. Tyler’s songwriting and vocals connect with listeners on a deep level. Cole brings rockstar charisma and showmanship. Justin drives the beat with his powerful drumming. And Sam’s melodic keyboards add atmospheric depth. Together, their combined skills make The Midnight Tour one of the most compelling and ambitious rock acts to emerge this century. While the music industry continues evolving at a dizzying pace, The Midnight Tour plan to keep making their timeless brand of anthemic pop-rock for years to come.