Celebrated folk-rock band DISPATCH has released their ninth studio album Yellow Jacket via Bomber Records/AWAL Recordings. PRESS HERE to listen and HERE to purchase exclusive album merch and limited-edition vinyl.
The band returned “home” to Boston to record and produce nearly all of Yellow Jacket with Craig Welsch at Rear Window Studios, and the 11-song collection of music harkens back to the infectious blend of reggae, ska and roots rock that built the band’s heralded career and dedicated fanbase. It’s a bold addition to their legacy – one that continues to explore the human experience with introspection and unshakable groove.
“For us, this album is a way to acknowledge what our culture is facing and the effects of the abuse of power,” said Chadwick Stokes. “In this album, you’ll find the effects war has on family in “Johnny Whoops,” the complexity and brilliance of Emily Dickinson’s words in “Trinket (ft. John Butler),” and we pay homage to the great activists of our time alongside Ani DiFranco on “Everyone’s In the Street,” as a reminder of how crucial it is to not sit back idly. But mostly, our goal with this album is for listeners to enjoy the tunes in whatever way, hopefully at times collectively, and in community.” Ani DiFranco added “It makes my heart so happy to have company in this political song racket. So crucial that none of us go slack, as you say,” and John Butler shared, “I have a lot of respect for Chad, Brad and all the guys outta DISPATCH. When they asked me to guest it was a breath of fresh air.”
Earlier this week, DISPATCH kicked off their Summer Tour 2025 alongside John Butler (with band) + special guests G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter and Illiterate Light (select dates) the tour is rolling through the U.S., making stops in major markets including Chicago, New York City, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco and more (full routing can be found below). In select markets along the tour, fans can gather with each other before the show at designated ‘Patch Party’ locations for early access to exclusive merch, DISPATCH collab beer, live music and more. PRESS HERE for tickets and more information.
Throughout their rise, the band has taken every opportunity to use their success for good, launching charitable organizations to fight inequality and mass incarceration, raising funds and awareness for environmental causes, schools and hospitals on the road, and even traveling as far afield as Zimbabwe to work with children and communities in need. Chadwick Stokes’ Calling All Crows joins bands and fans together in collective activism that has raised more than half a million dollars for feminist movements, while Brad Corrigan’s Love Light + Melody helps amplify the stories of children who live in extreme poverty.
The album also features “Darker Light” – written for the newly-released, award-winning documentary film – Ileana’s Smile – directed by Brad Corrigan. The film follows the inspiring story of a young girl who endures life in a trash dump in Managua, Nicaragua and the devastating choices she faces. The song features Stefan Lessard on bass (Dave Matthews Band) and Tim Snider on strings (Trevor Hall). PRESS HERE to watch the official video and HERE to watch the film and to learn more. Ileana’s Smile was released to raise awareness for child vulnerability and to fund Ileana’s School of Hope – ensuring that every child is safe to flourish and has a chance to write their own story.
Stokes has written a new Rock Opera called 1972, still in the workshop phase, that follows the story of Hannah, a 19-year-old woman fleeing an abusive relationship, who joins and eventually bonds with three outcasts riding the rails. After barely escaping a dangerous encounter with an illegal, mafia-run abortion, she connects with "Jane," an underground network of courageous women who take extreme risks to provide hope and care to women with nowhere to turn. The Janes and Hannah get arrested but are released in 1973, the day Roe V. Wade passed. More than a story of survival, 1972 serves as a powerful lens to view today's fight for personal freedom. Some influential women are involved in the development of 1972 including Jessie Nelson (Waitress) who is directing, and the musical is co-produced by Stokes’ Calling All Crows Co-Founder Sybil Gallagher, and activist Laurie David (Fed Up, An Inconvenient Truth). After short runs in New York, Boston and Chicago, including a three-night, sold-out stint at Joe’s Pub, upcoming workshop performances will be announced soon. PRESS HERE for more information.
Formed by Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan while in college in Vermont, DISPATCH has forged their own path outside the mainstream music industry as one of the most successful artists in the roots rock scene. Over the course of a slew of acclaimed studio and live albums and countless tours and festivals, the band has gone on to become one of biggest success stories in independent music history, selling out three nights at Madison Square Garden and drawing over 100,000 fans to a massive outdoor show in their adopted hometown of Boston without any traditional radio or major label support. For more information, please visit www.dispatchmusic.com.
YELLOW JACKET TRACK LISTING
Yellow Jacket
Whisk Me Away
Trinket (ft. John Butler)
The Night Young
Everyone’s In the Street (ft. Ani DiFranco)
Johnny Whoops
Flood
The Moon and The Seven Seas
Hush Money
Tulsa Picnic
Darker Light
SUMMER TOUR 2025 DATES
June 6 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre *
June 7 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater *
June 8 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion *
June 10 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront *
June 12 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome *
June 13 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery *
June 14 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards Amphitheater *
June 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center *
June 18 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park ^
June 21 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival %
June 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field #
June 24 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park *
June 26 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre *
June 27 – Cleveland Heights, OH – Cain Park Evans Amphitheater ^
June 28 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met *
June 29 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater *
July 1 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *
July 3 – Portland, ME – Thompson's Point *
July 4 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage *
July 5 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap *
July 24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre *
July 25 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan *
July 26 – Costa Mesa, CA – The Pacific Amphitheatre *
July 27 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic *
July 29 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Festival Pavilion +
July 31 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater *
August 1 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Live *
August 2 – Sandpoint, ID – The Festival at Sandpoint *
August 3 – Bonner-West Riverside, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater *
August 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA *
August 7 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #
August 8 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater #
* w/ John Butler with Band + G. Love & Special Sauce + Donavon Frankenreiter
^ w/ John Butler with Band + G. Love & Special Sauce
% w/ John Butler with Band + Donavon Frankenreiter
# w/ John Butler with Band + Donavon Frankenreiter + Illiterate Light
+ w/ Donavon Frankenreiter, No John Butler with Band
UPCOMING FESTIVAL DATES
June 15 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
June 20 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
July 13 – Marshfield, MA @ Levitate Music and Arts Festival
November 4-8 – Soulshine at Sea 3 – Miami, FL (to Cozumel, Mexico)
