District 97

District 97 is a dynamic progressive rock band hailing from Chicago, known for blending intricate compositions with infectious energy. Formed in 2006, the band takes its name from a location in Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel *Ender’s Game*, fitting their cerebral yet accessible style. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Leslie Hunt, a Top 10 finalist on *American Idol*’s sixth season, the group includes Jonathan Schang (drums), Jim Tashjian (guitar), Patrick Mulcahy (bass), and Andrew Lawrence (keyboards). Their sound fuses prog-rock complexity with jazz fusion, metal riffs, and art-pop hooks, showcased on albums like *Trouble With Machines* (2012) and *Screens* (2020).

They’ve earned a loyal following for their theatrical live shows and collaborations with prog legends like John Wetton (King Crimson), notably on *One More Red Night*. Recent releases like *Live For The Ending* and *In Vaults* highlight their knack for balancing technical wizardry with emotional depth. District 97 continues to push boundaries, proving prog can be both brainy and downright fun.

Genres

Progressive Rock

Progressive Metal

Related Artists

Dream Theater

Haken

Porcupine Tree

Riverside

Between The Buried And Me

Leprous

Big Big Train

Spock's Beard

Periphery

King Crimson

TesseracT

The Flower Kings

Latest Release

Live For The Ending

District 97

Album - 13 Tracks - Released February 14, 2025