Watch 90 Day Men play first gig in 18 years

90 Day Men have closed out 2024 by playing their first live shows in nearly two decades. Check out footage of the gigs below.

The Midwest post-hardcore group, who rose to prominence across the ‘90s and early ‘00s, played their final gig back in 2006 at the Empty Bottle venue in Chicago. Last October, however, they announced that they would be returning after a hiatus, and playing that exact same venue as their first live show in 18 years.

Two one-off shows were confirmed for the very end of 2024, taking place on December 30 and December 31.

At the shows, members Brian Case (The Ponys, FACS), Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe (Lichens), Cayce Key, and Chandler McWilliams all broke out a variety of tracks from across their discography, including 2002 track ‘I’ve Got Designs On You’.

Check out footage and images from the gigs below

Founded in St. Louis, the experimental post-hardcore band first started making waves again in 2023, when they shared the box set reissue of all of their studio albums under the title ‘We Blame Chicago’. As well as their entire catalogue of albums, the release also compiled singles, EPs, and various unreleased material.

As for their last gig before the 18-year hiatus, the final headlining performance at the time was held at the Empty Bottle in 2006 and came as a one-off. They were also on the bill for 2006’s Vice-curated Intonation Festival at Union Park, the site of the annual Pitchfork Music Festival (via Stereogum). Their last full tour as a band was held in 2004.

In the time since they announced their hiatus, the band members have continued to be a part of the music industry and have each contributed to a number of projects in the years since.

Founding member Brian Case, for example, has continued work in other Chicago bands including FACS and The Ponys. Stereogum also highlighted that Cayce Key has been performing as part of Bloodiest, Robert Lowe has released music as Lichens and Robert A. A. Lowe, and Asher Case – who is Brian Case’s son – has been playing as bassist and vocalist for Lifeguard.