The Chicks Announce 'Taking the Long Way' 20th Anniversary Tour

The Chicks have announced an intimate 20th anniversary tour for their landmark 2006 album Taking the Long Way, with performances set to take place across the United States this autumn. The Texas trio—comprising Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, and Natalie Maines—will revisit the record that marked a pivotal moment in their career, following their fallout with the country music industry.

A Journey Through a Defining Era

Reflecting on the significance of the album, Maines stated: 'This album in particular is what I think fans would say is the most recognized time in our career.' The tour will see the band perform the album in its entirety, alongside additional songs, offering audiences a chance to relive the era that reshaped their trajectory.

The Backlash and Its Aftermath

The origins of Taking the Long Way trace back to 2003, when Maines publicly criticised then-President George W. Bush ahead of the Iraq War. The backlash was immediate and severe: the band faced boos at award shows, radio blacklisting, and fans destroying their CDs. After a brief apology, they rescinded it in 2006, channelling their defiance into the multiplatinum single 'Not Ready to Make Nice.'

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'It was definitely inspiring for songwriting,' Maines remarked. 'It felt like life was happening to us, like we weren't steering the ship.' Maguire added: 'Those were hard times for us. It's all the stages of grief… we were in that misunderstood, angry, but also really upset and needing an outlet stage.'

Creating the Album

Produced by Rick Rubin, Taking the Long Way emerged after a period of healing. Strayer described it as 'licking our wounds,' while Maines noted that 'Not Ready to Make Nice' was 'solely selfish. This is our lives.' The song's universal appeal surprised them, but they now recognise that 'people have their own “Not Ready to Make Nice” story to tell.'

The album earned five Grammy Awards, including Album, Song, and Record of the Year, and its themes remain resonant. 'Re-listening and rehearing those songs, I was surprised how relevant they still seemed and how universal they still seemed even though they were such personal stories,' Strayer said.

Tour Dates and Details

The 16-night run kicks off on 30 September at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and concludes on 1 and 2 November at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The band will also perform two-night stands in Chicago, New York, San Antonio, Seattle, and San Francisco, with single shows in Washington, Nashville, and Austin.