Kurt Vile & The Violators return to den Atelier on Saturday, August 29th, bringing Vile’s unmistakable mix of hazy indie rock, folk, sprawling guitar work and wonderfully laid-back songwriting back to the Grand Duchy.
The Philadelphia musician has spent the best part of two decades building one of indie rock's most distinctive catalogues, with his laid-back vocals, winding guitar lines and songs that often sound like they're being allowed to find their own way rather than hurried towards a destination.
His latest record takes him right back to where it all started.
Philadelphia's Been Good to Me is Vile's tenth studio album, released on May 29th through Verve Forecast Records.
Vile has called it his "bringing it all back home to Philly" record, and that's quite literally where much of it was made. He recorded largely at OKV Central, his home studio in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, approaching the sessions with the mindset that he was making his last album.
The record was preceded by the singles "Zoom 97" and "Chance to Bleed" and finds Vile digging into the city and music that shaped him, while still sounding very much like Kurt Vile – loose, funny, melodic and packed with some excellent guitar playing.
It's also his first album recorded and released following the death of his longtime collaborator and Violators bandmate Rob Laakso, who had been part of Vile's musical world for more than a decade.
Even the cover has a story behind it, featuring a previously unseen photograph by celebrated American photographer William Eggleston.
Ten albums in, Vile doesn't sound particularly interested in reinventing himself. Philadelphia's Been Good to Me is more about digging deeper into what he already does brilliantly and making the kind of record he wanted to make, at home in Philly.
Vile first emerged from Philadelphia's indie scene in the 2000s and was an early member of The War on Drugs before concentrating on his solo career.
Albums including Smoke Ring for My Halo, Wakin on a Pretty Daze and b'lieve i'm goin down... steadily grew his audience, while "Pretty Pimpin" became his breakthrough track and remains one of his best-known songs.
Along the way, Vile has developed a particularly strong reputation as a live performer. With The Violators behind him, songs can stretch well beyond their recorded versions, moving between stripped-back acoustic moments, fuzzy indie rock and lengthy electric guitar excursions.
On August 29th, they'll be doing it all again in the suitably intimate surroundings of den Atelier.
We've got a pair of tickets to give away to see Kurt Vile & The Violators at den Atelier.
For your chance to win, answer this question:
Which US city gives Kurt Vile's latest album, Philadelphia's Been Good to Me, its name?
Send your answer, along with your name and email address, to the RTL Today Radio WhatsApp on +352 621 52 5000.
Winners will be contacted ahead of the show.
Good luck!
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Saturday, August 29, 2026
den Atelier, Luxembourg City
Doors: 19:00
