The American Football house is now available to rent on Airbnb.
The midwest emo band’s debut LP from 1999 features the illuminated window of a property in Urbana, Illinois, which has since affectionately become known as ‘The American Football House’.
Last year, the band announced that they had purchased the house that features on their iconic self-titled album artwork after learning that the property was to be sold and demolished. The purchase was made alongside their label Polyvinyl, a number of friends and collaborators and a company called Open House Contemporary.
Now, the house has become available to rent on Airbnb.
The listing states that the purchase was made to “protect the house from developers and potential demolition,” and also highlights the cultural legacy of the property. “The love and attention bestowed upon this humble three-bedroom dwelling over the years has made The American Football House more special than we ever could have imagined.”
“By preserving the 130+-year-old house and opening it up for artists, creative retreats, events, and nightly stays, we hope this indelible space will continue to inspire others for many years to come – right here in the community that gave shape to its unique legacy.”
It’s not the first musical landmark to become a holiday home. Earlier this week it was announced that one of the earliest venues The Beatles played in is now an Airbnb. In May, it was also revealed that Prince‘s Minneapolis house, which featured in Purple Rain, will be available to rent on the platform for a year.
Last year, American Football announced they’d purchased the famous property. “Last fall we received word that 704 W High Street in Urbana might be sold soon,” the band wrote on Twitter/X at the time. “Shortly thereafter American Football, Polyvinyl, Chris Strong, Atiba Jefferson, and Open House Contemporary made a pact: we’d all buy the house together before developers could demolish it and build a condo.”
The statement added: “Today, with sincere joy, we are excited to share that we have collectively purchased The American Football House in an effort to preserve its place and legacy within the community that built it. Here’s to keeping this landmark alive for many more years to come.”
— American Football (@americfootball) May 5, 2023
Earlier this summer the band announced a 25th anniversary reissue of their self-titled debut album – as well as a new covers edition featuring Ethel Cain, Blondshell and more. They’ll drop a completely remastered version of ‘LP1’ – titled ‘American Football (25th Anniversary Edition)’ – on October 18 via Polyvinyl.
You can pre-order/pre-save both albums here and see the full tracklist here.
American Football were formed in Illinois in 1997 by frontman Mike Kinsella, guitarist Steve Holmes and drummer Steve Lamos. Together, they released one self-titled album in 1999 – which would go on to become one of the most iconic releases in the emo genre – before breaking up the following year.
The band reformed in 2014 with the addition of Kinsella’s cousin Nate on bass, releasing two further self-titled albums in 2016 and 2019.
NME gave the latter release, highlighted by the Hayley Williams-featuring single ‘Uncomfortably Numb’, a four-star review. The review said: “Twenty long years since that iconic debut album, American Football are a band revitalised. As emo’s edges continue to fray, nestling amongst hip-hop and electronica in the popular consciousness, American Football remain the band best-versed in its traditional sensibilities.
“Unafraid to experiment amongst all the traditionalist, lovelorn expression, the ‘American Football’ of 2019 is a record both classic in intonation, and future-facing in intent. No longer a band of nostalgia bangers, American Football are back at the top of the pile.”
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