By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Portland, OR, The enduring legacy of Pacific Northwest indie rock has always been anchored by the mercurial genius of Modest Mouse. After a period of relative quiet following their 2021 full-length effort, The Golden Casket, the band has officially broken their silence. The release of their latest single, “Look How Far…,” marks a significant milestone in the group’s three-decade-long career, serving not only as a fresh creative statement but also as a testament to their resilience within an ever-shifting musical landscape. This new track arrives at a pivotal moment, bridging the gap between their storied past and an ambitious future that includes high-profile festival appearances, a massive North American tour, and a surprising collaboration with one of the most respected percussionists in the alternative genre.
The headline-grabbing detail of the new release is the involvement of Janet Weiss. Known for her powerhouse drumming in the seminal riot grrrl band Sleater-Kinney and her ongoing work with the indie-rock duo Quasi, Weiss brings a distinctive, driving energy to “Look How Far….” Her participation is particularly poignant for longtime followers of the band. Following the tragic passing of founding drummer Jeremiah Green in late 2022, the question of the band’s rhythmic direction remained a point of speculation among fans and critics alike. By bringing Weiss into the fold for this recording, frontman Isaac Brock has signaled a commitment to maintaining the band’s reputation for intricate, propulsive percussion while honoring the high standards set during their formative years in the Washington and Oregon underground scenes.
“Look How Far…” functions as a sonic reflection on the band’s journey. Since the release of The Golden Casket, Modest Mouse has been anything but stagnant. The last five years have seen the group leaning heavily into their heritage while simultaneously exploring new ways to engage with their audience. One of the most significant moments in this period was the 20th-anniversary celebration of their mainstream breakthrough, Good News for People Who Love Bad News. The album, which catapulted the band from indie darlings to household names with hits like “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty,” was given a comprehensive reissue treatment. This retrospective look allowed a new generation of listeners to discover the jagged, neurotic, yet ultimately hopeful songwriting that defined the mid-2000s alternative boom.
Beyond the studio, the band has maintained a relentless presence on the road. Their recent touring history reads like a "who’s who" of alternative rock royalty. Sharing stages with the likes of Pixies, Cat Power, the Flaming Lips, and their longtime contemporaries Built to Spill, Modest Mouse has proven their ability to command diverse crowds, from sprawling outdoor amphitheaters to intimate, sweaty clubs. This spirit of camaraderie and curation culminated in 2025 with the launch of two bespoke music festivals. Breaking away from the standard festival circuit, the band curated lineups that reflected their own eclectic tastes. Perhaps most notable was their venture into maritime entertainment, hosting a specialized festival on a cruise ship—an ambitious undertaking that featured sets from Kurt Vile, Mannequin Pussy, and Built to Spill, further cementing Isaac Brock’s reputation as a visionary who isn’t afraid to take risks with the band’s brand.
As the band prepares for the next chapter, their critical standing remains as high as ever. In recent retrospective rankings of the Pacific Northwest’s most influential musical exports, Modest Mouse consistently occupies the top tier. Their 2000 masterpiece, The Moon & Antarctica, and the sprawling, gritty The Lonesome Crowded West (1997) are frequently cited as essential pillars of the genre. These albums, ranked at number eight and number four respectively in major regional tallies, represent the dual nature of the band: the philosophical, space-obsessed explorers and the road-weary, cynical chroniclers of urban sprawl.
Looking toward 2026, the band’s itinerary is among their most ambitious to date. The upcoming North American tour, which kicks off in July, covers a vast geographical range, touching nearly every corner of the continent. A standout moment on the schedule is a special appearance in Milwaukee, where Modest Mouse will join My Chemical Romance for a stop on the latter’s The Black Parade 20th-anniversary tour. This pairing of PNW indie-rock pioneers with the kings of 2000s theatrical rock is a testament to the broad influence Modest Mouse has wielded across different subcultures of the alternative umbrella.
The 2026 tour schedule is a grueling yet impressive display of the band’s work ethic. Beginning in the Pacific Northwest with shows in Spokane and Missoula, the band will traverse the mountain states before heading to the East Coast for a series of dates in June. This leg includes stops at historic venues like the College Street Music Hall in New Haven and the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey. As the summer heat intensifies, the band will head south for appearances at major festivals, including a highly anticipated set at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee.
The mid-summer dates see the band returning to their roots in the North, with a string of Canadian performances in Vancouver, Calgary, and Saskatoon. This international leg is followed by a series of unique outdoor engagements, such as the Libbey Bowl in Ojai and the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco. The tour also emphasizes the band’s connection to the community, with shows scheduled at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. The journey concludes in the fall with a performance at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, Georgia.
The full 2026 itinerary is as follows:
May 12: Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
May 13: Missoula, MT – The Wilma
May 14: Bozeman, MT – The Elm
May 15: Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Block Party
June 04: New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
June 05: Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
June 06: Allentown, PA – Archer Music Hall
June 07: Virginia Beach, VA – Virginia Beach Dome
June 09: Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre
June 10: Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
June 12: Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
June 13: Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
June 14: Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Festival
July 02: Bellingham, WA – Mt Baker Theatre
July 03: Vancouver, British Columbia – Orpheum Theatre
July 05: Calgary, Alberta – Calgary Stampede
July 07: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
August 04: Ojai, CA – Libbey Bowl
August 05: Del Mar, CA – The Sound
August 07: San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Music Festival
August 08: Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion
August 09: Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square
August 12: Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
August 13: Saint Paul, MN – Palace Theater
August 14: Milwaukee, MN – Riverside Theater
August 18: Milwaukee, WI – Nationals Park (Supporting My Chemical Romance)
August 19: Philadelphia, PA – Venue TBA
August 20: South Deerfield, MA – Tree House Brewing
August 21: Shelburne, VT – The Green
August 28: Palmer, AK – Alaska State Fair
September 20: Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Festival
As Modest Mouse moves forward, "Look How Far…" serves as both a question and an answer. It asks how a band survives thirty years of industry upheaval, personal loss, and creative evolution, and answers with the music itself—restless, collaborative, and undeniably authentic. With Janet Weiss providing the heartbeat and Isaac Brock leading the charge, the 2026 tour promises to be more than just a series of concerts; it is a celebration of one of the most resilient voices in modern music. Whether performing on a boat, in a stadium with My Chemical Romance, or under the stars in an Alaskan fairground, Modest Mouse continues to prove that their journey is far from over.