The Chicks are set to mark the 20th anniversary of their most critically acclaimed work with a major reissue and a dedicated tour this autumn. The milestone celebrates the legacy of the 2006 album Taking the Long Way, a record that defined the band’s defiance and won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
Anniversary Reissue and Bonus Tracks
A 20th-anniversary expanded edition of Taking the Long Way is scheduled for release on 2 October 2026. This new edition will be available as a 3LP vinyl set and across streaming platforms, offering fans a deeper look into the recording sessions of the mid-2000s.
The reissue is confirmed to include five bonus tracks. Notably, the songs “Thin Line” and “Live Wire” will be made available on streaming services for the first time. The collection also features previously unreleased demos, providing fresh context to the album that served as the band’s response to the industry backlash they faced in the preceding years.
Details of the new physical and digital sets can be found on The Chicks Official Store.
The 2026 Anniversary Tour
To accompany the release, the band will embark on the “Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour”. The run is scheduled to begin in Detroit, Michigan, on 30 September 2026. The tour will see the band perform the 2006 album in its entirety, alongside other hits from their decades-long career.
A Legacy of Defiance
The Chicks, who officially changed their name from the Dixie Chicks in 2020 to remove Confederate associations, have long been known for blending country music with sharp social commentary. Taking the Long Way remains their most decorated work, written in the wake of the controversy surrounding lead singer Natalie Maines’ 2003 comments regarding then-President George W. Bush.
The band’s catalogue continues to draw attention for its storytelling, ranging from the dark comedy of “Goodbye Earl” to the “nautical infidelity” found in the 2020 track “Tights on My Boat”. As the group enters this anniversary period, the upcoming tour and reissue serve as a reminder of their transition from country radio staples to one of the most successful and outspoken female groups in music history.
