District 97 is a progressive rock and progressive metal band from Chicago, formed in 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn. The group develops a blend of progressive rock, metal, classical music and jazz, with references in its sound to Planet X and other instrumental rock acts.

After about a year of playing as an instrumental quartet, District 97 adds vocalist Leslie Hunt, who is a 2007 American Idol Top 10 female finalist. Her presence shifts the band toward songs that combine accessible vocal melodies with more complex instrumental arrangements. The band later includes cellist Katinka Kleijn, who plays with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, after she attends a performance and joins the group. Guitarist Jim Tashjian then replaces Sam Krahn.

With this line-up, District 97 builds a reputation through performances at Chicago venues including House of Blues, Schubas and Martyrs'. The band records its debut album, Hybrid Child, at In Vault Lab in Chicago in November 2008. Manny Sanchez and Chris Harden co-engineer the album, and its material ranges from Meshuggah-influenced metal and the scale of Yes to Beatles-style melody.

The band is notable for combining progressive rock and metal with the work of an American Idol finalist and a Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist, and for presenting itself as a technically ambitious Chicago group with both vocal and instrumental elements.