SEATTLE, Washington, Nov. 9, 2026. The Neptune Theatre opened in 1921 as a movie house, and parts of that past are still in the building: the mezzanine seating, the painted murals, even the old concession stand that now sells popcorn to concertgoers. Next June the University District landmark will host one of the longest stands on its 2027 calendar, as They Might Be Giants play four consecutive nights from Thursday, June 10, through Sunday, June 13, 2027, each at 8:00 p.m.
The run is part of the band's Bigger Show Tour, which Consequence reports will include multi-night stays in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle. Single-night tickets are listed for each date, and a four-day pass covers more than one night for fans who want the whole residency. Both options are on the page for They Might Be Giants at Neptune Theatre.
Forty years of John and John
They Might Be Giants began with John Flansburgh and John Linnell, two friends from Massachusetts who built a following in Brooklyn in the 1980s, in part through a phone line that played their songs to anyone who called. Their self-titled debut album came out in 1986, and Magnet Magazine marked its 40th anniversary this month. The 1990 album Flood gave the band its widest audience with "Birdhouse in Your Soul" and its version of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)."
The decades since have been unusually productive. The band wrote "Boss of Me," the theme to Malcolm in the Middle, made several albums for children, and kept releasing records for adults at a steady clip. The songs are funny, but the craft behind them is serious: tight arrangements, odd chord changes, and lyrics that reward close listening. Live, the band plays with a full group, often including horns, and the shows mix deep cuts with the songs everyone came to hear.
Four nights in one city gives the band room to change the setlist from show to show, which is one reason multi-night runs are popular with longtime fans. Those holding a pass get a chance to hear far more of the catalog than any single concert allows.
There is plenty to draw from. Beyond Flood, the 1988 album Lincoln includes "Ana Ng," and Apollo 18 from 1992 is remembered for "Fingertips," a suite of very short songs. John Henry, from 1994, was the first album the band made with a full backing group rather than the duo and drum machine of the early years, and that change shaped the live show audiences see today. Any given evening is likely to include a few songs from those records alongside newer material.
Choosing between the pass and single nights comes down to how much of the run you want. The pass covers more than one night under one purchase, while single-night listings let fans pick the evening that fits. Friday and Saturday usually go first in multi-night runs, so Thursday and Sunday can be easier to find.
The theater on 45th Street
The Neptune sits at 1303 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105, in the University District, a few blocks from the University of Washington campus. The building is a restored Spanish Colonial Revival theater, and it is one of the historic rooms programmed by Seattle Theatre Group alongside the Paramount and the Moore.
Today it hosts mostly rock and comedy. Recent Google reviewers call it an iconic theater and a perfect place to watch a live show, praise the beer and wine selection and fast bar service, and in one case thank staff for recovering a watch lost in the pit at a heavy show. The kept-over mezzanine seating gives a choice between standing on the main floor and watching from above.
The 2027 calendar around the residency is full. Bruce Cockburn plays two nights on April 7 and 8, moe. comes through on April 10, and Steam Powered Giraffe is listed for July 31, a few weeks after They Might Be Giants leave town.
Planning a June night in the U District
The neighborhood is busy on summer weekends, and four nights in a row will add to the traffic. Some suggestions:
- Light rail: The U District Link station is a short walk from the theater, making the train the simplest choice from downtown or Capitol Hill.
- Garages and valet: Garage parking is available nearby, and valet service is offered. Special event rules may apply.
- Rideshare: Drop-off is allowed at the venue entrance on NE 45th Street.
- Timing: Late arrivals may miss the start, and parking fills up first on Friday and Saturday.
Food is easy. The blocks around 45th Street and University Way are lined with inexpensive restaurants, from noodle shops to pizza, which suits an early dinner before an 8:00 p.m. show.
For every other date on the calendar, including the comedy bookings that fill many weekends, see the Neptune Theatre schedule, an independent guide that lists primary and resale tickets.
About Neptune Theatre
The Neptune Theatre is a 1921 Spanish Colonial Revival theater at 1303 NE 45th St in Seattle's University District. Originally a single-screen movie house, it now presents concerts and comedy, with a standing main floor, a retained mezzanine, original murals and a vintage concession stand. It is programmed by Seattle Theatre Group and sits close to the U District light rail station.