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Rising US star Stephen Wilson Jr. will be bringing his signature blend of indie, grunge and country to the UK for a headline tour this October before heading on to Europe. Tickets go on sale Friday 14th June, 10am local and will be available here.
Wilson says, “The UK/EU has my heart & we are coming back this autumn for our first headlining tour. A dream that’s suddenly became a reality. My father has passed but his story is alive and well & being told all over the world. Can’t wait to see you all.”
The self-proclaimed ‘Death Cab For Country’ singer will also be making his TV debut on Later… with Jools Holland this Sat 15th June performing his song ‘Year to Be Young 1994’ from his debut album søn of dad, which came out last year via Big Loud Records and was hailed as the No. 1 album of 2023 by Holler who called it “a record for the ages.”
Released five years to the day of his father’s death, søn of dad is a 22-song tribute to Stephen Wilson Sr. that has garnered widespread critical acclaim from Billboard, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, CMT, Whiskey Riff, Wide Open Country, Holler, Country Central, and many more.
“If you’re lucky enough to have lived, you’re going to grieve something,” Wilson shares. “It is the most human thing we have, and we grieve on a level that is unmatched.”
“Writing and making this album has been very therapeutic for me to learn who I am and what my existence looks like after my father. Because life has to go on,” Wilson says. “I’m living my own life, but it’s like his death book ended what life he should have had onto mine and I’m carrying it around like a train car.”
Known for his rousing and emotive performances, the forthcoming headline tour follows his recent visit supporting The Cadillac Three and a standout performance at the CMA Songwriters Series at The O2 as part of the C2C Festival in March.
In February, Wilson Jr. also made his US television debut on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers with a raucous performance of his viral hit ‘Cuckoo’ and more recently perfomed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s #LateShowMeMusic series. Watch the performance here.
UK & EUROPE TOUR DATES
Thursday 24 Oct – Birmingham UK, O2 Institute
Friday 25 Oct – Newcastle UK, Think Tank
Saturday 26 Oct – Glasgow UK, King Tut’s
Sunday 27 Oct – Manchester UK, The Deaf Institute
Tuesday 29 Oct – London UK, Oslo
Wednesday 30 Oct – Cardiff UK, The Globe
Friday 1 Nov – Amsterdam NL, Melkweg Upstairs
Saturday 2 Nov – Groningen NL, Take Root Festival
Monday 4 Nov – Köln DE, Club Volta
Tuesday 5 Nov – Berlin DE, Passionkirche
– Billboard
“Wilson’s songs feel like they’re being yanked up from the depths of his soul.” – Holler
“A hard-edged hillbilly creative, 22-song experiment with the chemical bonds between gothic country, rock, and grunge.” – Nashville Lifestyles
“The rock energises the music, and the rural details deepen the narratives.” – PopMatters
“The Indiana songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. is a strange beast, able to write and perform a banger like ‘Year to Be Young 1994,’ the country-grunge of ‘Holler from the Holler,’ or his duet with Hailey Whitters, ‘American Gothic.’ It all adds up to make Wilson — named after his father, a boxer — one of the most interesting artists to watch this year, a true original.” – Rolling Stone
“…a masterpiece of an album.” – Whiskey Riff
“The most existential release of the year goes to relative newcomer Stephen Wilson Jr….if you listen closely, you’ll hear the work of a master craftsman versed in all manners of pop music.” – Rolling Stone
“…the next iconoclastic leader of country’s rock revival.” – The Tennessean
“…the album ultimately feels like a declaration of creative independence — intriguing and insightful at all levels.” – Nashville Scene
Stephen Wilson Jr.’s journey from the hollers of southern Indiana to Nashville, Tenn. has been a winding road that’s taken many detours: He’s been an Indiana State Golden Gloves boxing finalist, a scientist, and a lead guitarist and songwriter in an indie rock band. In 2016, he ditched his laboratory nine-to-five and signed a publishing deal with BMG Nashville where his alchemic song craft immediately made waves, earning cuts from Caitlyn Smith, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash, and more.
2023 proved to be Wilson Jr.’s breakthrough year, signing with Big Loud Records and releasing his debut double album søn of dad: a triumphant, genre-spanning set of 22 songs dedicated to his late father and given to the world on the five-year anniversary of his death. The album was named the No. 1 album of 2023 by Holler who called it “a record for the ages,” and earned a spot as one of the best albums of the year from Whiskey Riff, Wide Open Country, music critic Grady Smith, and Rolling Stone.
Last year, he toured with Brothers Osborne, The Cadillac Three, Midland, Hailey Whitters, and The Lone Bellow, with debuts at the Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach, the Ryman Auditorium, CMA Fest, and Red Rocks. This year, he’ll hit the road with HARDY, Brothers Osborne, Charles Wesley Godwin, and The Cadillac Three with festival appearances at C2C, Tortuga, Stagecoach, Country Thunder, and more.
