American Football Tickets

About American Football

American Football is an American rock band formed in 1997 in Urbana, Illinois, best known for their pioneering role in the Midwest emo and math rock scenes. The original line-up, Mike Kinsella (vocals, guitar), Steve Holmes (guitar), and Steve Lamos (drums, trumpet), came together while attending the University of Illinois, crafting a sound defined by intricate guitar interplay, unusual time signatures, and introspective, emotionally candid lyrics.

The band released their self-titled debut album, American Football, in 1999 through Polyvinyl Record Co. Though the album received modest attention at the time and the band disbanded shortly after its release, it gradually gained a devoted following and became a landmark record in emo’s second wave. Its shimmering guitar tones, layered melodies, and vulnerable song-writing helped shape the aesthetic of countless bands that followed.

After years of growing cult status, American Football reunited in 2014 for a series of live performances and went on to release two more albums: American Football (often referred to as LP2) in 2016, and American Football (LP3) in 2019. These releases expanded their sonic palette while retaining the atmospheric, emotionally resonant style that defined their debut.

Over time, American Football has become one of the most influential and beloved acts in emo’s history, celebrated for transforming understated vulnerability and complex musicianship into a lasting cultural legacy.