Afghan Whigs Kick Off North American Tour in Orlando

Greg Dulli bought his first record, a Jackson 5 single, when he was four years old. That early exposure to Motown soul would later shape the sonic identity of the Afghan Whigs, a Cincinnati band known for merging rock, R&B, and experimental sounds.

The group is launching the North American leg of its Soft Control tour on Wednesday, November 4, at The Beacham in downtown Orlando. This date marks the opening show for a run that includes performances across the continent. The venue is located at 46 N. Orange Ave., and tickets range from $30 to $40.

Soft Control, released in August through Royal Cream/BMG, is the band’s 10th studio album. It is their fourth record since reuniting in 2012. The album was recorded in studios in Joshua Tree, New Orleans, East Hollywood, and Cincinnati. Dulli initially wrote 22 songs but narrowed the tracklist to 10 to ensure the songs worked together as a cohesive set.

Dulli describes the first half of the album as more immediate and guitar-driven, suitable for live performance. The second half leans into atmospheric arrangements and studio experimentation. He aimed for side two to be more esoteric, relying on produced sounds rather than traditional rock structures. Tracks like “Jungle Roux” feature synthesizer parts that emerged from recording mistakes, while “Duvateen” incorporates a guitar riff inspired by Keith Richards.

The band’s current lineup includes Dulli on vocals, John Curley on bass, Christopher Thorn on guitar, Rick Nelson on multi-instruments, and Bryan Lee Brown on drums. Curley and Dulli are the only original members remaining. The group has maintained a reputation for covering songs from diverse genres, including works by TLC, the Supremes, and Hall & Oates.

Dulli emphasizes that the band’s creative process involves using voices as instruments. On the track “Memphis, Texas,” vocalist Petra Haden provides sustained backing vocals that stretch into long notes. Dulli calls Haden one of the greatest singers on the planet. He also notes that playful backing vocals on “House of I” are deliberate choices rather than spontaneous flourishes.

The Afghan Whigs will be joined by Minneapolis psychedelic-rock band Night Moves for the Orlando show. Dulli has known several friends in the Orlando and Daytona Beach areas who are expected to attend. The band plans to use specific lighting and visual presentations to alter the atmosphere of each venue. Dulli describes the visual approach as simple and elegant.