Modest Mouse have returned with new music for the first time since 2021: a single titled “Look How Far…” that features veteran drummer Janet Weiss — formerly of Sleater-Kinney and currently with Quasi. The release arrives as the band ramps up a busy 2026 schedule, making it one of the few significant indie-rock comebacks this season.
New single, familiar fire
The new track marks a notable moment for the group, both because it ends a multi-year recording pause and because Weiss’s presence adds a different percussive voice to the lineup. Listeners and critics are paying attention: the song lands as the band prepares for a broad North American run and a high-profile festival appearance with My Chemical Romance.
Modest Mouse’s last full-length, The Golden Casket, came five years ago. Since then the band has not been idle: they commemorated the 20th anniversary of Good News for People Who Love Bad News, toured widely alongside acts such as Cat Power, Pixies, the Flaming Lips and Built to Spill, and in 2025 launched two new music festivals—one staged on a boat.
- Reissued classic album for its 20th anniversary
- Toured with major alternative acts over the past several years
- Debuted two original festivals in 2025, including a floating event
Why this matters now
Beyond fan excitement, the timing matters because the single precedes an extensive tour and a special anniversary celebration: Modest Mouse will join My Chemical Romance for one of the band’s Black Parade 20th‑anniversary shows in Milwaukee. That pairing puts Modest Mouse in front of larger and more diverse audiences than typical headline runs, potentially widening their profile.
Critics continue to cite the group’s earlier work: albums like The Moon & Antarctica and The Lonesome Crowded West remain fixtures on best-of lists for Pacific Northwest indie rock, and the new release reminds listeners why the band’s catalog still matters to the genre’s broader story.
Full 2026 North American dates
Below is Modest Mouse’s announced 2026 itinerary. Dates are listed chronologically; the Aug. 18 Milwaukee show at Nationals Park is billed alongside My Chemical Romance.
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 05‑12 | Spokane, WA | Knitting Factory |
| 05‑13 | Missoula, MT | The Wilma |
| 05‑14 | Bozeman, MT | The Elm |
| 05‑15 | Salt Lake City, UT | Kilby Block Party |
| 06‑04 | New Haven, CT | College Street Music Hall |
| 06‑05 | Sayreville, NJ | Starland Ballroom |
| 06‑06 | Allentown, PA | Archer Music Hall |
| 06‑07 | Virginia Beach, VA | Virginia Beach Dome |
| 06‑09 | Wilmington, NC | Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre |
| 06‑10 | Charleston, SC | Charleston Music Hall |
| 06‑12 | Asheville, NC | The Orange Peel |
| 06‑13 | Asheville, NC | The Orange Peel |
| 06‑14 | Manchester, TN | Bonnaroo Festival |
| 07‑02 | Bellingham, WA | Mt Baker Theatre |
| 07‑03 | Vancouver, BC | Orpheum Theatre |
| 07‑05 | Calgary, AB | Calgary Stampede |
| 07‑07 | Saskatoon, SK | Saskatchewan Jazz Festival |
| 08‑04 | Ojai, CA | Libbey Bowl |
| 08‑05 | Del Mar, CA | The Sound |
| 08‑07 | San Francisco, CA | Outside Lands Music Festival |
| 08‑08 | Jacksonville, OR | Britt Pavilion |
| 08‑09 | Portland, OR | Pioneer Courthouse Square |
| 08‑12 | Chicago, IL | The Salt Shed |
| 08‑13 | Saint Paul, MN | Palace Theater |
| 08‑14 | Milwaukee, MN | Riverside Theater |
| 08‑18 | Milwaukee, WI | Nationals Park — with My Chemical Romance |
| 08‑19 | Philadelphia, PA | (venue TBA) |
| 08‑20 | South Deerfield, MA | Tree House Brewing |
| 08‑21 | Shelburne, VT | The Green |
| 08‑28 | Palmer, AK | Alaska State Fair |
| 09‑20 | Atlanta, GA | Shaky Knees Festival |
The new single is circulating on streaming services and is the first sign of fresh studio work from the band in several years. Expect more details — and possibly more music — as the tour season unfolds.
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Hello, I’m Atlas. I explore the latest musical releases for you and guide you to your next sonic favorites.