Artist Presale: June 25, 2025 @ 9:00 AM AEST
MRG Presale: June 25, 2025 @ 9:00 AM AEST
On Sale: June 26, 2025 @ 9:00 AM AEST

This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Madding Crowd, the breakthrough album by Nine Days that gave the world the unforgettable earworm, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl).” Since its release in 2000, the record has stood as a cornerstone of late 90s/early 2000s pop-rock, cementing the band’s place in music history. With over 150 million streams on Spotify alone, and a recent RIAA double-platinum certification for “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” Nine Days is reflecting on their legacy while looking ahead to an exciting new chapter.

Formed on Long Island, New York, Nine Days was built on the creative partnership of singer/guitarists John Hampson and Brian Desveaux. Combining heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies and big guitars, the band quickly rose through the ranks of the local music scene, gaining national attention with the release of The Madding Crowd. Anchored by the infectious charm of “Absolutely (Story of a Girl),” the album resonated with listeners worldwide, blending earnest storytelling with the buoyant energy of the era.

Since then, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl)” has remained a cultural touchstone, recently finding new life in the Academy Award-winning film Everything Everywhere All at Once. The song’s chorus was re-written and reimagined by Hampson exclusively for the film in several unique variations, including a 90s-style ballad, appearing three times throughout its runtime. This creative integration underscored the timelessness of the track and introduced it to a new generation of fans.

Hampson - “When the opportunity to have the song in the film came through my publisher, I was told that they wanted to rewrite the lyrics to the chorus. I was relentless in letting the directors know that I wanted to be the one to do it. I’m a huge film fan, and over a zoom call with the directors, The Daniels, I pitched my ideas and they loved them. Dream come true!”

Last year served as a relaunch for Nine Days, featuring performances on two back-to-back Creed reunion ”Summer of ‘99” cruises, festival appearances, and John Hampson’s solo acoustic shows opening for The Smithereens. The band is thrilled to continue connecting with audiences who know them for their iconic single while showcasing the depth of their catalog. “After all these years, it is still a joy and a thrill to go out on stage and play our songs," Desveaux reflected. “We’re well aware of the ‘one-hit wonder’ tag, and that’s fine if it gets us in the door. After that, people realize we have quite a few more great songs and that we’re pretty damn good.”

In 2024, John and Brian, along with founding members Nick Dimichino (bass) and Jeremy Dean (keys), officially welcomed drummer John Miceli as a permanent member of the band. “We’ve all known John forever. He’s played on hundreds of albums and been a touring drummer for over 20 years,” said Hampson. “He’s played shows with us off and on for the past eight years, and it was just time to make it official. His super positive energy has brought new excitement to the band.”

As Nine Days celebrates the enduring impact of The Madding Crowd and the song that started it all, they remain committed to creating new memories with fans, both old and new. With a legacy spanning 25 years, their music continues to inspire, proving that great songs stand the test of time.