Afghan Whigs launch Soft Control tour in Orlando

Greg Dulli will lead the Afghan Whigs into the North American leg of their Soft Control tour in Orlando on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The performance at The Beacham marks the band's return to a city where Dulli reconnects with childhood friends from Ohio and travelers from Daytona Beach. The group will be joined on stage by Minneapolis psychedelic rock band Night Moves, a collaboration Dulli describes with high enthusiasm.

The tour supports the band's 10th studio album, released in August through Royal Cream and BMG. This is the fourth record the group has produced since reuniting in 2012 after a 12-year hiatus. Dulli stated that the band needed to create new material to remain relevant rather than relying solely on its back catalog. He noted that during a recent spring tour, the opening seven songs came from seven different albums to reflect both his past and current artistic identity.

The new album was recorded in studios across Joshua Tree, New Orleans, East Hollywood, and Cincinnati. The project began with 22 songs and was narrowed to 10 to create a cohesive collection. Dulli explained that side one of the record features guitar-driven tracks intended for live performance, while side two offers a more atmospheric and studio-focused sound. This structure allows the band to balance immediate energy with experimental arrangements.

Musical experimentation is a core part of the Afghan Whigs' identity. Dulli has long blended rock, soul, and R&B influences, citing artists like Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, and the Supremes as foundational to his style. On Soft Control, the band incorporates synthesizers, brass arrangements, and vocal textures that function as instruments. For example, the track "Memphis, Texas" features sustained backing vocals from Petra Haden, whom Dulli praises for her ability to hold notes for long periods.

Dulli approaches the performance as an opportunity to transform the venue's atmosphere. The band has developed a specific lighting and visual presentation strategy to create a distinct environment for each show. He stated that changing the visual stage design helps him feel like he is in a new location, even in familiar rooms. This approach replaces elaborate stage production with a simpler, more elegant aesthetic.

Tickets for the Orlando show range from $30 to $40. The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. at 46 N. Orange Ave. Dulli said he will not perform songs that he does not genuinely feel like singing, a standard he maintains to preserve honesty with the audience. He described the visual design for the Wednesday show as simple and elegant, offering no further details on the specific staging elements.

The band's current lineup includes Dulli, founding bassist John Curley, guitarist Christopher Thorn, multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson, and drummer Bryan Lee Brown. Dulli noted that the group continues to draw from a wide range of musical memories, including records he listened to as a child with his mother. He plans to use the tour to share new material that reflects this seasoned perspective on time and sound.