Soul Coughing Reunite for 17-Date U.S. Tour

The band’s first shows in 25 years kick off September 11th in San Diego, CA

June 20, 2024June 20, 2024 Ron Hart 0 Comments 2024, El Oso, Irresistible Bliss, Mark degli Antoni, Mike Doughty, Ruby Vroom, Sebastian Steinberg, Soul Coughing, Tour, Yuval Gabay

El Oso-era Soul Coughing poster (Image: eBay)

A quarter-century after it was thought they were absolutely done with one another, Soul Coughing surprised fans today with the announcement of a 17-date reunion tour across the USA.

Frontman Mike Doughty, after celebrating the 30th anniversary of the group’s seminal debut Ruby Vroom on a solo tour, threw caution to the wind and reached out to his old bandmates about the idea of performing together again. The aim is to play a greatest hits set that spans the din of their three classic albums in 1994’s Vroom, 1996’s Irresistible Bliss and their indelible 1998 swan song El Oso.

“The end was acrimonious, but I just thought I’d give it a shot,” he says. “So I just wrote an email to all three guys. It took a little convincing for some of them, but I was really gratified that everyone wanted to take part in that again — to see if we can be a great band again.”

“When he first reached out it was such a relief,” says bassist Sebastian Steinberg, last heard on Fiona Apple’s 2020 masterpiece Fetch the Bolt Cutters. “We all have our part to play in any dysfunctional relationship. But it was an immediate relief. I could just say, ‘Hey, man, we did something wonderful. And I’m sorry, too. That was cool.’”

Drummer Yuval Gabay had a similar reaction: “I respect the music. I love what I did there. I love what the guys are doing — we were a good band.”

Soul Coughing Tour 2024 poster (Image: Soul Coughing)

The New York City-based group, rounded out by keyboardist and sampler extraordinaire Mark degli Antoni, will kick off the tour on September 11th in San Diego, CA and snake across the country until they get to Brooklyn, NY, where they will close out the tour with a two-night celebration at Brooklyn Steel on October 4th and 5th.

As for the band, they are eager to get back out there and bring smiles to the faces of fans who never thought this day would come.

“Music is a place of escapism, for people to go to a magical world,” Gabay says. “That’s what interests me. I want to bring people together. How can you bring a variety of people to the gig? Music brings people together — both the band and the audience.”

“Our fans are going to be shocked, man,” adds Doughty. “I can’t even believe how much they’re going to be shocked.”

Artist presale tickets go on sale this Monday, June 24 at 10 am (local). The general on-sale begins on Friday, June 28 at 10 am (local). Check the complete tour itinerary below.

SOUL COUGHING – TOUR 2024

SEPTEMBER

11 – San Diego, CA – Belly Up Tavern

13 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether

14 & 15 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

17 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom

18 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox

20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot

21 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre

22 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater

24 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue

25 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre