Brooks Nielsen, celebrated frontman of The Growlers and now a critically acclaimed

solo artist, has firmly established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in

independent music. As the frontman and creative force behind The Growlers, Nielsen

helped define and popularize the Beach Goth movement—a genre-blurring,

countercultural wave that left an indelible mark on modern rock. Over more than a

decade, The Growlers built a fiercely dedicated international following, performed at

major festivals, and sold out venues around the world. Their celebrated discography

and electrifying live shows cemented them as one of the most influential underground

bands of the 21st century.

In addition to their music, The Growlers also founded and curated the Beach Goth

Festival, a groundbreaking event that brought together a wildly eclectic mix of

artists—from Patti Smith and Bon Iver to Doja Cat and Mac DeMarco—making it a

defining moment in the cultural landscape of the 2010s.

Now, as a solo artist, Nielsen continues to push boundaries with the same fearless

spirit. Since launching his solo career in 2022, he’s released four records—three of

them in 2024 alone. His latest, A Ride I’m Waiting For, features the haunting duet

“Without Eyes” with Sierra Ferrell and has been praised for its cinematic scope and

emotional depth.

On stage, Nielsen delivers an experience unlike anything else. Backed by a

powerhouse band—Growlers drummer Richard Gowen, keyboardist Cole Riddle, and

guitarists J.D. Carrera and Elyadeen Anbar—Brooks crafts a set each night that’s

entirely its own. Drawing from his extensive solo catalog, deep cuts, Growlers classics,

and unreleased material, his shows are long, loose, and alive. With no opening acts

and performances stretching two and sometimes three hours, fans are invited into a

world that feels as spontaneous as it does deeply curated.

This Fall 2025 run is Brooks’s most ambitious solo tour to date, featuring first-ever solo

plays in small towns, Aspen and Fort Collins, CO; Carrboro and Asheville, NC;

Madison, WI; Ferndale, MI; New Haven, CT; St. Louis, MO; Boise, ID; Tulsa, OK; and

Nashville, TN. There’s also a rare and intimate upstate New York show at the newly

revived Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock—a venue rich with music history. In New York

City, Nielsen will headline the legendary Webster Hall for the first time, marking his

biggest solo show in the city yet—and in Chicago, he’ll play the iconic Metro, a rite of

passage for generations of boundary-pushing artists.

The 28-date tour wraps with the now-iconic Helloween shows at the Hollywood

Palladium in Los Angeles on October 30 and 31—two surreal, sweat-soaked nights

that have instantly become a rite of passage for Nielsen’s most devoted fans. Every

year, Beach Rats from across the country—and around the world—make the journey

for this once-a-year celebration of the strange and the sacred. It’s more than just a

show: it’s a Mecca for the hardcore fanbase, a chance to mix with fellow travelers,

share stories from the past, and revel in a night of music, mystery, and magic. If you

know, you go.

THIS EVENT IS ALL AGES

PLEASE NOTE:

No backpacks or other large bags will be permitted at entry. If a bag is necessary, a small fanny pack or clutch is acceptable. All bags subject to search at entry.

All patrons will be subject to wanding with a metal detector at entry. No weapons, including folding pocket knives, will be allowed to enter the venue.

No outside drinks or reusable drink containers will be permitted. This includes Camelbak style backpacks.

No smoking allowed inside venue. We have an open re-entry policy, so you will be permitted to go outside if you would like to smoke during the event.

All Events at The Vanguard are general addmision, standing room only unless noted. All ticket sales are final.