The Chicks Celebrated Album Anniversary in New York City
The band marked the 20th anniversary of their album Taking the Long Way with a performance at the Beacon Theatre.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Pop
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The Chicks performed at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on October 10, 2026, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Taking the Long Way. During the event, the band shared a personal letter they received from a woman featured in their 2006 documentary.
Why it matters
The celebration highlights the band's history of navigating significant public backlash, which stemmed from 2003 comments regarding the Iraq war. The album served as their defiant response to the controversy that reshaped their career trajectory.
The single Not Ready to Make Nice reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured 3 Grammy Awards. This performance followed the 2006 release of the album Taking the Long Way.
The players
The Chicks
The Chicks are an American country music trio known for their vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess.
Natalie Maines
Natalie Maines is the 51-year-old lead vocalist of The Chicks.
Martie Maguire
Martie Maguire is the 57-year-old multi-instrumentalist member of the band.
Emily Strayer
Emily Strayer is the 54-year-old instrumentalist and vocalist for the group.
Dan Wilson
Dan Wilson is a songwriter and musician who collaborated with the band on their hit song.
The details
Performing the full album, the band integrated archival footage from their 2006 documentary, Shut Up and Sing, into the set. They also revisited their collaborative work with songwriter Dan Wilson on the track Not Ready to Make Nice.
Timeline
March 2003: Lead singer Natalie Maines made controversial comments during a London concert.
2006: The band released their album Taking the Long Way.
October 10, 2026: The anniversary tour launched at the Beacon Theatre.
November 2026: The current tour is scheduled to conclude.
Industry Dynamics
The event reflects a trend of legacy acts revisiting pivotal albums to reconnect with the historical narratives that defined their public image. This anniversary tour places The Chicks in the context of their long-term cultural impact following the 2006 documentary Shut Up and Sing.
Fans in New York City attended the anniversary show at the Beacon Theatre, with further dates available as the tour continues through November. Access to the band's historical performance footage and archival content remains a focal point of these live events.
The takeaway
The Chicks' return to their 2006 material underscores the enduring relevance of their response to past public controversy. Audiences can look to the band's historical catalogue to understand how artistic expression evolved during their most challenging years.
Further reading
Learn more about recent music tours and industry anniversaries on the Pop section.
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