The Growlers in Chicago

About The Growlers

The Growlers are an Orange County indie rock band that emerged in the late 2000s with a sound that blends surf rock languor with garage rock grit. Built around Brooks Nielsen's deadpan vocals, they've developed a reputation for moody, hypnotic tracks that feel both detached and deeply felt. Their earlier work carried a stoned, coastal vibe—think lazy afternoons that suddenly snap into focus. Songs like 'City Club' showcased their ability to construct simple melodies that burrow into your head, while tracks like 'Artificial Light' demonstrated darker, more introspective leanings. The band has evolved beyond their initial Beach Goth aesthetic while maintaining the core appeal: songs that sound effortless but aren't, lyrics that reveal themselves slowly, and a general refusal to seem like they're trying too hard.

Their shows move at their own pace—no false energy, just a steady, almost hypnotic pull. Crowds tend to sway rather than thrash. Nielsen's delivery stays cool and measured even in intimate venues, which somehow makes songs hit harder. They're the band you watch rather than the band that demands your participation.

Known for City Club, Sunshine, Artificial Light, Floating, The One That Got Away

The Growlers + Chicago

The Growlers have maintained a quiet presence in Chicago's venue circuit, showing up when it matters. Their September 2019 stop at Metro was a deep dive through their catalog, opening with the propulsive "Big Toe" before settling into the moody sprawl of "Black Memories" and "Sea Lion Goth Blues." The setlist moved through their catalog with the kind of deliberation that suggests they know exactly who's paying attention—pulling "Rare Hearts" and "Empty Bones" from the middle distance, letting songs like "Pavement and the Boot" breathe in a room that clearly gets what they're doing. They closed with "Going Gets Tuff," which felt right.

The Growlers in Chicago News

• Santa Rosa Growlers drawing sold-out crowds with players from around the Bay Area and beyond The Press Democrat · Feb 26, 2026
• Tour news: Drain, The Growlers, Martin Rev, Empire of the Sun, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd / Foreigner, more BrooklynVegan · Nov 17, 2025
• The Growlers announce 2019 fall tour Consequence of Sound · Apr 22, 2019
• The Growlers Tickets, Concerts & 2026 Tour Dates Event Tickets Center · Jun 26, 2018
• The Growlers share new song "Late Bloomers" Northern Transmissions · Jun 1, 2017

Live Music in Chicago

Chicago's indie rock scene has always been more interested in guitar noise and post-punk angst than sun-soaked harmonies. That said, the city's music culture runs deep enough to appreciate The Growlers' particular brand of lo-fi psych-surf, especially among folks who dig both the lush production and the slightly off-kilter songwriting. There's an audience here for bands that don't fit neatly into any one pocket.

Chicago road trip to see The Growlers?

Stay in Lincoln Park or Wicker Park depending on your vibe—both neighborhoods have real character and plenty of late-night options. Book dinner at Alinea if you're feeling ambitious, or hit RPM Italian for something excellent and less impossible to get into. Spend an afternoon at the Art Institute, then walk along the Lakefront. The city's got enough to fill a weekend without feeling like you're checking boxes. Catch the show, eat well, and remember why you liked this band in the first place.