Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 29, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Z2 Entertainment
Some albums don’t just define a band — they define an era. When The Wallflowers released Bringing Down the Horse in 1996, the record cut straight through the noise of the decade, pairing timeless American songwriting with a modern edge that resonated far beyond its moment. Thirty years later, the band is bringing that landmark album back to the stage in full.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, The Wallflowers will bring their Bringing Down the Horse 30th Anniversary Tour to Chautauqua Auditorium, presented by Z2 Entertainment. The performance will feature the album played in its entirety, in sequence—a rare opportunity to experience one of the defining records of ’90s rock exactly as it was intended.
Originally released on May 21, 1996, Bringing Down the Horse was both a critical and commercial triumph. The album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and went on to achieve quadruple-platinum status, cementing The Wallflowers’ place in modern American rock history.
The album produced four enduring singles: “6th Avenue Heartache,” which earned two GRAMMY nominations in 1997; “One Headlight,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart and won two GRAMMY Awards in 1998 while later ranking No. 58 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Pop Songs”; “The Difference,” which received a GRAMMY nomination in 1998; and “Three Marlenas,” released as the album’s final single in October 1997.
Influenced by first-generation American songwriters like The Band and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, The Wallflowers’ sound has always been rooted in classic storytelling and road-worn melodies. That lineage will be honored even further on this tour, as the band also pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers by performing Petty’s 1982 album Long After Dark in its entirety on select dates.
At the center of it all is Jakob Dylan, whose steady presence has kept The Wallflowers vital across three decades of American rock. In 2002, Dylan inducted Tom Petty into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2018 he appeared in the acclaimed documentary Echo in the Canyon, collaborating with artists including Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Beck, Cat Power, Norah Jones, and Regina Spektor.
Dylan’s work has also extended beyond the band, contributing songs to film and television soundtracks, including The Wallflowers’ cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” for the 1998 Godzilla soundtrack, “Arms of a Ghost” for NCIS: Los Angeles, and “Nothing But the Whole Wide World” for Friday Night Lights. In 2025, The Wallflowers returned to the road supporting Eric Clapton on his U.S. tour, continuing a long history of sharing stages with legends including The Who and The Rolling Stones.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Chautauqua Auditorium, this anniversary performance promises to be both a celebration and a reflection — a reminder of how enduring songs, once released into the world, continue to grow alongside the people who carry them.
The Wallflowers
Bringing Down the Horse 30th Anniversary Tour
Friday, June 26, 2026
Chautauqua Auditorium – Boulder, CO
Doors: 6:00 pm | Show: 7:00 pm
All Ages
Tickets: On sale Friday, January 30 at 10:00 am via Z2 Entertainment
For additional tour dates and updates, visit wallflowersmusic.com.
