The Box Band featuring Georgia Rae at White Lilac

Fresh off the release of their 2024 full-length album Don’t Buy It, The Box Band is redefining what a modern bluegrass ensemble can be. Based in Chicago, the quartet has spent the better part of a decade building a reputation for high-energy performances, fearless musicianship, and a sound that happily breaks the “rules” of traditional bluegrass while still honoring its roots.

Their music begins with the classic ingredients—fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass—but what they create together is something much bigger. Influences of jazz, world music, funk, folk, and country weave through their songs, producing a vibrant acoustic sound that feels both adventurous and deeply grounded.

At the center is Georgia Rae, whose virtuosic fiddle playing drives the band with fiery melodies and expressive improvisation. Around her is a powerhouse ensemble:

• Mike Morgan (guitar) – Known for his intricate compositions and inventive arrangements that stretch the boundaries of acoustic string music.
• David Hannibal (mandolin) – A distinctive songwriter whose melodies and lyrical sensibility give the band much of its character.
• Trevor Mooney (upright bass) – Providing impeccable groove and rhythmic backbone that keeps the whole band locked together.

Together, these musicians create performances that feel alive in the moment. The chemistry between them leads to spontaneous improvisation, playful interaction, and musical risks that make every show different from the last.

Their songwriting is honest, clever, and often humor-tinged, delivered with a sense of joy that’s impossible to fake. It’s clear when you see them live: this band isn’t bored when they play.

The Box Band has become known for pushing the possibilities of bluegrass instrumentation while celebrating the tradition it comes from—earning them the fitting description:

“Bluegrass. Outside the Box.”

In an intimate listening room like White Lilac, their dynamic musicianship and infectious energy can be experienced up close—every fiddle run, mandolin chop, bass groove, and harmony ringing clearly through the room.

Expect foot-stomping originals, inventive arrangements, and the kind of musical chemistry that reminds you why live music matters.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher KmacK Productions