LANCO at the University of Dubuque -- March 25.
Tuesday, March 25, 8 p.m.
University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque IA
Touring in support of their January release We're Gonna Make It, an album that Entertainment Focus lauded as "authentic, emotionally resonant, and musically compelling," the touring country-music talents of LANCO play a special March 25 engagement at the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, their latest recording also inspiring Country Swag to rave, "There are hints of nostalgia and broken hearts mixed with triumph and hope, all weaved together in a uniquely cohesive package."
Composed of Brandon Lancaster (lead vocals), Chandler Baldwin (bass guitar), Jared Hampton (keyboards, banjo), Tim Aven (Guitar), and Tripp Howell (drums), LANCO -- short for "Lancaster & Company -- was founded in 2015. After meeting record producer Jay Joyce at a Keith Urban concert, they signed to his publishing company, and then to Arista Nashville. Through the label, they released their debut four-song EP, titled Extended Play, on April 15, 2016. LANCO also released their first single from the album, "Long Live Tonight", and another one of their songs, "Greatest Love Story", appears in the Netflix series The Ranch as well as season 22 of ABC's The Bachelor.
"Greatest Love Story" reached number one on Billboard's Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts at the end of 2017, and that December, Sony Nashville announced the band's third single, "Born to Love You." Both that song and "Greatest Love Story" appear on LANCO's debut album Hallelujah Nights, which was released in January of 2018. The album debuted at the top of Billboard's Top Country Albums, with 13,000 copies (19,000 album equivalent units total) sold in the first week. The ensemble's discography also includes the EPs Lessons Learned, Honky Tonk Hippies, and Run, Run Baby, and with their sophomore album We’re Gonna Make It, LANCO continues to evolve with a fresh and authentic sound.
“Country music has always had a lot of pain in it,” said Lancaster. “When I’m writing a song, I acknowledge that pain, but I also believe in restoration and redemption, and I wanted to explore that on this record.” Consequently, over 14 tracks, Lancaster and his bandmates dive into the human experience as they implore listeners to keep the faith. There are candid self-portraits, relatable tales of nostalgia, and love stories built around the acoustic strum and pulsing rhythm of one of country’s most eclectic live bands.
Having shared stages with the likes of Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, and Kane Brown, LANCO has been nominated for multiple awards, including Country Music Association, American Music Awards, iHeart Radio Music Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards, where they won New Duo or Group of the Year in 2019.
Bringing their "We're Gonna Make It Tour" to Dubuque, LANCO performs in the John & Alice Butler Hall of the university's Heritage Center on March 25, admission to the 8 p.m. concert is $35-45, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)585-7469 and visiting Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.
