The Afghan Whigs

The Afghan Whigs land in Leeds on 19 September 2026 at Stylus for a set that digs into the dark soul of their catalogue. Formed in Cincinnati in 1986 around Greg Dulli and bassist John Curley, the band carved a space where taut guitars lock with R&B swing, and stories of desire, guilt and late-night fallout take the lead. Early Sub Pop releases set the tone before a mid‑90s run — Gentlemen, Black Love, 1965 — cemented their mix of gritty rock and slow‑burn groove, carried by Dulli’s unmistakable grain.

Back on the road in the 2010s, the Whigs chose momentum over nostalgia. Do to the Beast and In Spades stretched the palette, while 2022’s How Do You Burn? kept the pulse warm and shadowy. On stage, those newer tracks sit naturally alongside the 90s staples: brooding tempos that tip into sharp hooks, riffs that tighten and release, choruses that stay just rough enough to bite. At Stylus, expect a focused, narrative‑driven show where the band moves from simmer to snap with economy, letting the songs speak — an enduring take on American indie rock with a heart wired to soul.