MIDWEST EMO BAND AMERICAN FOOTBALL IS COMING TO BELGIUM FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME ON JUNE 23, 2026 AT LA MADELEINE IN BRUSSELS

American Football, the iconic Midwest emo band from Illinois, are coming to Belgium for the very first time on June 23, 2026 at La Madeleine in Brussels. Known for their shimmering guitars, intricate rhythms, and deeply introspective songwriting, their music has defined a genre and influenced generations. 

Before attaining global recognition as a defining pillar of the “Midwest Emo” sub-genre, American Football was a humble University of Illinois-based indie rock band led by Mike Kinsella (founding Cap’n Jazz drummer-turned- vocalist-and-guitarist) along with Steve Holmes (guitar) and Steve Lamos (drums / trumpet).

With college graduation and adulthood approaching, the band’s farewell came as a self-titled album released in September 1999 on Polyvinyl Record Co. Over the next fifteen years, word of mouth, message boards, mixtapes, burned CDs, and early file sharing turned this otherwise obscure band—with a plain house on their only album cover—into a rock and roll legend.

In 2014, answering the call from a growing legion of dedicated fans, American Football would reunite to international acclaim. With the addition of bassist/multi-instrumentalist and cousin Nate Kinsella, the quartet has since released two additional self-titled records in 2016 and 2019, while steering a natural evolution in their evergreen sound towards post-rock, post-punk, and more experimental influences.

They’ve collaborated with admired peers and fans, including Hayley Williams (Paramore), Rachel Goswell (Slowdive), and Ethel Cain. Widely recognized as one of the most important artists of their generation, the band has been praised by Alternative Press, The FADER, GQ, The Guardian, NME, NPR Music, KEXP, Vulture, Rolling Stone, and more.

American Football spent the last two years honoring its 25th anniversary of their self-titled debut – colloquially known as “LP1,” by embarking on a sold out world tour. Having recently ventured into parts of the globe for the first time, the band has also found an overwhelming embrace among a new generation of fans. Many of these fans have never been to the American Midwest, yet have all felt that same emotional connection to its vast geography and rich creative soil. As spring approaches in 2026, so does new growth…

American Football VIP Fast Pass Bundle Upgrade
Lift Price: $80 USD / 70 Euro / 60 Pounds // Allocation: 100 upgrades per show
VIP exclusive merch bundle: curated, designed and signed by American Football
15% merchandise discount coupon, redeemable at this show only
Merchandise shopping opportunity prior to the show (where applicable)
Early entry or priority entry into the venue
Limited availability

https://please.co/products/american-football-vip-upgrades-eu-uk-summer-2026

American Football has partnered with PLUS1 so that £1/€1 per ticket goes to Safe Passage International and their work reuniting child refugees with their families in safe countries, after becoming forcibly displaced.