Virginia Franks and American Vanity

Last year, my sister Nancy, niece Laura and I saw Burn the Jukebox, a teenage band Laura and I followed for a couple years. It was our first time seeing them and we were impressed. Since then, they changed their name to American Vanity, while also adopting a slightly edgier, harder tone.

When AV announced a Chicago stop on their tour this year, Laura and I bought tickets. The show finally happened last month at Cobra Lounge on Chicago's near west side. The name and sound might be different, but the performance was as good and probably better than the previous one. The band is quite polished for being so young.

Prior to the performance, there was a meet-and-greet. Each band member chatted with all the VIP ticket holders. Although we briefly met the band last year, we got the chance to really talk to them here. Lead singer Virginia Franks was the first to approach us. Virginia has a lot of talent and takes command center stage. She has a great stage presence. In talking with irginia, she came across as very poised, engaging and professional. She has a bright future and we look forward to watching her career develop.

I wrote more about the night on Global Traveler. For more info, go to thisisamericanvanity.com.

Laura, Virginia and me in Chicago, IL-August 2026.