At the start of 2020 we were geared up for a very busy year of tours. We all know what happened next. This is a record of all the tours we had to cancel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of them were re-scheduled more than once. Some of these artists still haven’t returned to the UK, after the post-pandemic cost of living crisis (and associated soaring touring costs) took hold – which is kind of heartbreaking. On the bright side, we sincerely thank all the music fans across the UK who kindly donated their ticket money for those gigs which were already on sale (as you can see from the first few listings here). 100% of those funds went to the musicians, and helped to cover a little of their costs and lost income.
Stillhouse Junkies – originally scheduled for March/April 2020
Fun, fiery and accomplished bluegrass and roots from Colorado
We’re sorry to announce that the Stillhouse Junkies tour has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis. Please contact your point of purchase to arrange a refund – or if you can afford it, please consider donating your ticket money to help the artist and venue
| Tue, 24/03/2020 | Scarborough | Woodend Gallery |
| Wed, 25/03/2020 | Hexham | Queen’s Hall Arts (Library) *SOLD OUT* |
| Thu, 26/03/2020 | Southport | Grateful Fred’s (house concert) |
| Fri, 27/03/2020 | Quatt, Shropshire | Quatt Village Hall |
| Sat, 28/03/2020 | Barry, South Wales | St Mary’s Church |
| Sun, 29/03/2020 | Ashburton, Devon | Ashburton Arts |
| Wed, 01/04/2020 | Sittingbourne, Kent | Dog Gone Roots |
| Thu, 02/04/2020 | Lowestoft, Norfolk | Seagull Theatre |
| Fri, 03/04/2020 | Boxmoor, Herts | Fishery Wharf Cafe |
| Sat, 04/04/2020 | Farnham, Surrey | Sands Room Sessions |
| Sun, 05/04/2020 | Worth Matravers, Dorset | The Square & Compass |
This talented American trio combines a wide range of acoustic genres including bluegrass, Western Swing, blues and a touch of classical, to create an attractive groove-filled melange of American roots music. Born out of a long-standing weekly residency at a distillery in Durango, Colorado, Stillhouse Junkies quickly became a fixture on the music scene of that state’s southwestern corner, establishing a solid local fan base in recent years. They’ve met with increasing success over the last year, including taking second place in the prestigious band contest at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and have been touring extensively across the USA. Accomplished musicians Fred Kosak (guitar/ mandolin/ vocals), Alissa Wolf (fiddle/ vocals), and Cody Tinnin (double bass/ banjo/ vocals) have built up an eclectic catalogue of fine original music alongside some fun and creative covers, drawing on influences from Gillian Welch to the Allman Brothers and Tim O’Brien to John Hiatt. The Junkies’ original music pays tribute to the remarkable diversity of their native Four Corners area of the Southwestern USA, with evocative songs that run the gamut of human experience: disenchantment with the pace of modern living, confronting adversity in its many forms, and story songs that imagine reality from the perspective of a small-town bartender or a lonely cattle driver. With two albums to their name and their third release expected in early 2020, Stillhouse Junkies have spent the last couple of years constantly writing, rehearsing and performing throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry – originally scheduled for May 2020
Sensationally entertaining American roots music & dance
We’re sorry to announce that the Evie Ladin & Keith Terry tour has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis. Please contact your point of purchase to arrange a refund – or if you can afford it, please consider donating your ticket money to help the artist and venue in this devastating time for our live music scene.
| Wed, 29/04/2020 | Lowdham, Notts | Old Ship Inn |
| Thu, 30/04/2020 | Stony Stratford | York House |
| Fri, 01/05/2020 | Rhydycroesau, Shropshire | Rhydycroesau Village Hall |
| Sat, 02/05/2020 | Hepworth, Holmfirth | Hepworth Live |
| Sun, 03/05/2020 | Ennerdale, Cumbria | The Gather |
| Mon, 04/05/2020 | Edinburgh | The Traverse (TradFest) |
| Wed, 06/05/2020 | Southport | Grateful Fred’s at The Atkinson |
| Thu, 07/05/2020 | Filey, North Yorks | Masonic Hall (Filey Folk Festival) |
| Fri, 08/05/2020 | Doncaster | Roots Music Club |
| Sat, 09/05/2020 | Newport, Shropshire | Crossover Festival |
| Sun, 10/05/2020 | Boxmoor, Herts | Fishery Wharf Cafe |
California-based duo Evie Ladin and Keith Terry perform a hugely entertaining mix of Appalachian roots music, step dance and body percussion. Multi-talented singer, songwriter, clawhammer banjo player and step-dancer Evie Ladin is a supreme live performer. She grew up surrounded by traditional folk music in the North Eastern USA. Playing banjo from the age of 8 and clogging since she was just 5, Evie is steeped in Appalachian music and dance, but also brings an urban edge and contemporary vision to her music, both in her duo with Keith Terry (and trio the Evie Ladin Band) and also as leader of the all-female MoToR/dance contemporary dance company. Formerly the driving force behind Bay Area stringband The Stairwell Sisters, Evie has released several albums under her own name since then, including an album of banjo-fiddle duets with a range of her favourite old time fiddle players. Trained as a jazz drummer and known for his work in contemporary Body Music, talented musician & dancer Keith Terry takes care of percussive duties on double bass, cajon and more, with clever lines and unusual grooves, as well as joining Evie in dance elements of their performances. Keith is the founder of the International Body Music festival and is a spectacular proponent of the art of body percussion. Together, Evie and Keith create a mesmerising live show full of variety, a hugely entertaining mix of American roots music, song and dance. The duo has toured the UK a number of times, including acclaimed performances and workshops at WOMAD Festival 2018. Both Evie and Keith are experienced music and dance tutors and we’re also making plans for them to lead a couple of body percussion workshops while in the UK.
The Honey Dewdrops – originally scheduled for May 2020
Exquisite harmonies, excellent musicianship and fine songwriting
We’re sorry to announce that The Honey Dewdrops tour has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis. Please contact your point of purchase to arrange a refund – or if you can afford it, please consider donating your ticket money to help the artist and venue
| Fri, 08/05/2020 | Newport, Shropshire | Crossover Festival |
| Sat, 09/05/2020 | Cottingham, East Yorkshire | HAM Gigs |
| Sun, 10/05/2020 | Saltaire | The Live Room |
| Tue, 12/05/2020 | Battle, East Sussex | Mrs Yarrington’s Music Club |
| Wed, 13/05/2020 | Steyning, West Sussex | House concert |
| Thu, 14/05/2020 | Fareham, Hampshire | Ashcroft Arts |
| Fri, 15/05/2020 | Worcester | The Wharf Bluegrass weekend |
| Sat, 16/05/2020 | Wrington, Bristol | The Old Refreshment Room |
| Sun, 17/05/2020 | Barry, South Wales | Hang Fire Southern Kitchen |
| Tue, 19/05/2020 | Bere Regis, Dorset | Bere Regis Folk Nights |
| Wed, 20/05/2020 | Lowdham | Old Ship Inn |
| Thu, 21/05/2020 | Castledawson, NI | Sessions in the House |
| Fri, 22/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh |
| Sat, 23/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh |
| Sun, 24/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh |
After a warmly received first visit to the UK in early 2019, including their Celtic Connections debut, superlative duo The Honey Dewdrops return in May 2020. With gorgeous vocal harmonies and a musical set-up that includes acoustic guitars, clawhammer banjo and mandolin, The Honey Dewdrops blend folk, acoustic Americana and a dash of bluegrass, enchanting audiences with their memorable and exquisitely performed songs. Hailing from Virginia, Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish settled in Baltimore in 2014 and have released five albums to date, including their latest album Anyone Can See which came out in March 2019 to glowing reviews. Although undeniably steeped in folk, bluegrass and old-time country music, The Honey Dewdrops gracefully encompass both traditional and contemporary in their unique sound. The duo has been touring full time for around 10 years, performing at festivals and venues throughout North America and making their UK debut early last year.
Laurie Lewis – originally scheduled for May 2020
Grammy winning bluegrass pioneer & her stellar band
| Mon, 18/05/2020 | Chidham, Chichester | Chidham Village Hall |
| Wed, 20/05/2020 | Halifax | Square Chapel Arts Centre |
| Thu, 21/05/2020 | Selby, North Yorkshire | Selby Town Hall |
| Fri, 22/05/2020 | Basingstoke, Hampshire | Anvil Arts |
| Sat, 23/05/2020 | London | Green Note |
| Sun, 24/05/2020 | Ashington, West Sussex | Music at the Buildings |
We’re delighted that bluegrass pioneer Laurie Lewis and her band The Right Hands will be visiting the UK for a short run of tour dates in England this spring. Laurie is a bona fide folk and roots music legend and a GRAMMY Award winning artist. Hailing from California, she has written some of the most enduring songs in bluegrass and has released almost 20 albums over the years, performing with scores of legendary artists across folk, bluegrass and beyond – including Linda Ronstadt, Ralph Stanley and Tim O’Brien. A hugely respected bandleader, songwriter, singer and musician, Laurie has influenced many of the next generation of acclaimed American roots artists, including members of Crooked Still, Front Country and Della Mae as well as Michael Daves, Tatiana Hargreaves, and countless others. A founder member of West Coast bluegrass band The Good Ol’ Persons in the 1970s, Laurie has long been a powerful voice in bluegrass. Winner of multiple International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, she also sang and played on the 1997 Grammy-winning release The Songs of Bill Monroe, and more recently she was Grammy nominated for her album The Hazel and Alice Sessions (2016). Laurie will be joined on tour by her band The Right Hands, featuring outstanding acoustic musicians Brandon Godman (fiddle), Hasee Ciaccio (double bass) and Patrick Sauber (banjo) – all acclaimed talents in their own right. The band marries spectacular musicianship and top-notch vocal harmonies with Laurie’s award winning songs and interpretations of bluegrass and folk classics.
Tour dates cancelled due to Covid-19 crisis.
AJ Lee & Blue Summit – originally scheduled for May/June 2020
Sizzling contemporary bluegrass from California
| Thu, 21/05/2020 | Cookstown, NI | The Red Room |
| Fri, 22/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Sat, 23/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Sun, 24/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Mon, 25/05/2020 | Fareham | Ashcroft Arts |
| Wed, 27/05/2020 | Bristol | The Canteen |
| Thu, 28/05/2020 | London | Green Note |
| Fri, 29/05/2020 | Boxmoor, Herts | Fishery Wharf Cafe |
| Sat, 30/05/2020 | Marsden, West Yorks | Yorkshire Americana & Bluegrass Day |
| Tue, 02/06/2020 | Scarborough | Woodend Gallery |
| Wed, 03/06/2020 | Moniaive | Craigdarroch Arms Hotel |
| Thu, 04/06/2020 | Hexham | Queen’s Hall Arts |
| Fri, 05/06/2020 | Saltburn by the Sea | Saltburn Arts |
| Sat, 06/06/2020 | Sheffield | The Greystones |
| Sun, 07/06/2020 | Southwell | Gate to Southwell Festival |
AJ Lee & Blue Summit made a big impression on their first short tour of the UK in 2019, with several sold out shows and glowing feedback. Formed in 2015, the band brings a fresh contemporary approach to bluegrass and Americana, combining virtuoso instrumental work with soaring vocals and sweet harmonies, and taking in elements of western swing, soul, folk, jazz and pop/rock. A powerful singer, talented mandolinist and gifted songwriter, bandleader AJ Lee has been making waves on the acoustic scene for many years, performing in The Tuttles with AJ Lee (alongside Molly Tuttle) since she was just ten! The band also featured Blue Summit’s flatpicking guitar ace Sully Tuttle (Molly’s younger brother). Now in their early 20s, these days AJ and Sully are making a big impact with their equally talented Blue Summit bandmates Jesse Fichman (guitar/vocals), Chad Bowen (upright bass/vocals) and Jan Purat (fiddle). AJ Lee & Blue Summit have performed across the USA, and their star has been rising in the last couple of years. 2019 saw their international touring debut and first full length album release featuring 11 original songs written by AJ Lee. Last year Blue Summit also made a splash as official showcase performers at the big International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) festival in North Carolina, where AJ won the coveted 2019 IBMA Vocalist Momentum Award. The band also won the Freshgrass band contest in Massachusetts, and the same week, Sully Tuttle took second place in the prestigious flatpicking guitar championship contest in Winfield, Kansas! With soulful songs, exceptional musicianship and a charming stage presence, AJ Lee & Blue Summit are sure to make many more fans on their 2020 return to the UK.
Zoe & Cloyd – originally scheduled for May/June 2020
A superb blend of folk, bluegrass and Americana
We’re sorry to announce that the Zoe & Cloyd 2020 tour has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis.
| Thu, 21/05/2020 | Ballinamallard, NI | Dorney Bridge |
| Fri, 22/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Sat, 23/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Sun, 24/05/2020 | Omagh, Northern Ireland | Bluegrass Omagh festival |
| Wed, 27/05/2020 | London | Green Note |
| Thu, 28/05/2020 | Norwich | Carberrys |
| Fri, 29/05/2020 | Frodsham | Conservative Club |
| Sat, 30/05/2020 | Marsden, Huddersfield | Americana & Bluegrass Day |
| Sun, 31/05/2020 | Maidenhead | Norden Farm Arts |
Zoe & Cloyd is a duo made up of renowned fiddler and vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Cloyd Miller, who hail from opposite ends of the Appalachian mountains. Coming from a lineage of klezmer and jazz musicians, Natalya trained classically in her home state of Massachusetts before moving south in 2004. John is a twelfth generation North Carolinian and grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate. A talented singer and multi-instrumentalist, John is also a fine songwriter. As founding members of acclaimed Americana trio Red June, the couple shifted focus in 2015 with their duo project Zoe & Cloyd. Their recordings to date have met with high praise and their eagerly anticipated third studio album I Am Your Neighbor was released on Organic Records in autumn 2019. Zoe & Cloyd continue to delight audiences with soaring harmonies, outstanding musicianship and heartfelt songwriting, seamlessly combining original folk, acoustic country, old-time and bluegrass (with an occasional dash of klezmer). We first met Zoe & Cloyd when they were showcasing at the International Bluegrass Music Association event in North Carolina in 2018 and we’re excited to be bringing them over for their debut UK tour!
Violet Bell – originally scheduled for June/July 2020
Compelling Americana, folk and roots-pop from N Carolina
We’re sorry to announce that the Violet Bell tour has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis (the tour was fully booked but had not been announced in full yet). Please contact your point of purchase to arrange a refund.
Violet Bell’s brand of Americana is woven from the varied threads of folk, soul, bluegrass, pop and classical music. On stage and in the studio, talented songwriter Lizzy Ross and multi-instrumentalist Omar Ruiz-Lopez demonstrate a compelling, fiery energy married with top notch musicianship, and Lizzy’s voice is a once-in-a-generation instrument of immense power and warmth. This hardworking young duo has performed well over 250 shows across North America since forming in 2016, resulting in strong onstage chemistry and enthralling live performances. With soaring violin, driving guitar and clawhammer banjo, Violet Bell make a full, riveting sound. The duo released their debut EP Dream the Wheel in 2017 and their debut full-length album, Honey in My Heart in 2019. Violet Bell was an official showcase artist at Americanafest 2018 in Nashville and the duo has participated in many initiatives which engage local communities of all ages. The “big band” version of Violet Bell was recently selected to take part in the US State Department’s prestigious American Music Abroad series in the 2019/20 season. With incredible lead vocals from Lizzy Ross, exquisite musicianship from both Omar and Lizzy and exceptional original songs, Violet Bell is a very special duo. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to the UK for their debut tour here this summer.
George Jackson Band – originally scheduled for Aug/Sep 2020
Fiddle star George Jackson and his stellar old time band
We have had to cancel the planned autumn 2020 George Jackson Band tour due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis, stay tuned for more info on new potential dates in 2021
New Zealand born fiddler George Jackson was born to musician parents in Christchurch, NZ and spent much of his childhood touring around with his family band. An avid student of American fiddle styles, Jackson eventually made his way to Nashville where he now lives, a highly respected member of a thriving community of bluegrass and old time musicians. He’s been making a name for himself in Music City in the last few years, as a member of the Missy Raines Trio and now as leader of his own sensational string band, which specialises in rollicking old time Americana and bluegrass. On his acclaimed 2019 release Time and Place, Jackson offers a mesmerising collection of original fiddle tunes. The band’s touring line-up includes clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner (Charm City Junction), double bassist/vocalist Hasee Ciaccio (Molly Tuttle, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands) and gifted young guitarist Reed Stutz alongside Jackson. With a live set that includes classic bluegrass songs as well as barnstorming tunes, this quartet is sure to get festival crowds dancing and seated audiences tapping their feet! The George Jackson Band was an official showcase artist at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass festival and conference in North Carolina this autumn, and we were knocked out by their high-octane performances. We can’t wait to welcome this band to the UK for their debut tour!
The Slocan Ramblers – originally scheduled for Aug/Sep 2020
Dynamic, entertaining bluegrass from Canada
Popular Canadian bluegrass band The Slocan Ramblers will return to the UK in early autumn 2021 for their fourth tour here. Combining impressive musicianship with a fresh contemporary appeal, the quartet has become a leading light of Canada’s roots music scene, and is establishing a growing reputation as a storming live band in the USA, Ireland and the UK. Their third album, Queen City Jubilee (2018) has amassed glowing reviews and a prestigious 2019 JUNO Award Nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year. The Slocan Ramblers were also nominated for a coveted Band Momentum Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019 and were an official showcase artist at the IBMA’s major conference and festival in North Carolina last year, performing to great acclaim in the bluegrass heartlands. Their latest UK tour in Oct/Nov 2019 saw them play to many sold-out rooms across the country, including a week’s tour of Northern Ireland. With many places clamouring to have the band back as soon as possible, we were in the middle of booking late August/early September 2020 tour dates, but are now re-scheduling these dates to September 2021.
Bill and the Belles – originally scheduled for Sep/Oct 2020
Hugely entertaining vintage style country & Americana
We have had to cancel the planned autumn 2020 Bill and the Belles tour due to the ongoing Covid-19 virus crisis. We hope to bring them back in the future
Exceptional Tennessee quartet Bill and the Belles features gloriously smooth vocal harmonies and exquisite musicianship on fiddle, banjo, guitar and double bass. Massively entertaining but hard to categorise, the band is influenced by classic country, bluegrass, hillbilly and old time music, with a charming “vintage” persona rooted in the music of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Bill and the Belles were nominated for four IBMA (International Bluegrass) awards in 2017 and bandleader Kris Truelsen (lead vocals/guitar) also shares his enthusiasm for traditional American music as a producer and presenter for Radio Bristol, housed in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee. The full band line-up is completed by superbly talented musicians Kalia Yeagle (fiddle/vocals) – who was recently appointed as a lecturer in Old Time Music at East Tennessee State University – sensational banjoist and singer Helena Hunt and gifted multi-instrumentalist Andrew Small (upright bass). As the house band for the historic Radio Bristol programme Farm and Fun Time, Bill and the Belles also regularly perform alongside America’s top bluegrass, old time, country and roots music artists, in a brilliantly engaging variety style format that includes segments highlighting Appalachian culture. Bill and the Belles bring to the stage an uplifting live show full of engaging humour, high spirits, and all-around revelry – and we know your audiences will agree!
Golden Shoals – originally scheduled for October 2020
Appealing, entertaining Americana, bluegrass & roots
The newly renamed Golden Shoals (formerly Hoot and Holler) return for their second UK tour after a warmly received short debut UK tour in summer 2019. This superbly entertaining North Carolina duo blends old time Appalachian traditions with fine contemporary songwriting and excellent musicianship on fiddle, guitar and banjo. Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski have been entertaining audiences all over the USA since 2013 after forming their duo in Boston, where they both studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Amy and Mark combine the polished technique of music conservatory training with the grit, drive, and soul of their musical heroes, legendary mountain musicians like Roscoe Holcomb and Ola Belle Reed. They have performed at venues and festivals across the USA and Australia in the last few years, and were a featured act on the 2019 Bluegrass Jamboree tour across Germany, as well as being a showcase artist at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s major World of Bluegrass festival in September 2019. Both when performing and when teaching workshops, Golden Shoals strive to honour the ancient sounds of those who came before, while bringing their own unique voice to the stage.
Mile Twelve – initially scheduled for January 2021
An entertaining blend of bluegrass and roots from a simply sensational band
The award-winning Mile Twelve is one of the most successful young American bluegrass bands working today, combining contemporary and traditional influences to stunning effect. They have performed extensively around the world, receiving rapturous praise for their captivating songs, adventurous instrumentals and barnstorming live performances. With breathtaking musicianship (on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass) and stunning vocal harmonies, Mile Twelve formed in 2014 in Boston, where two members studied at the musical hotbed of Berklee College of Music. Since then the band has been on a swift and steady rise, releasing two acclaimed albums, receiving multiple IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) awards and nominations, and gaining many fans around the world. Although their sound is rooted in traditional bluegrass, Mile Twelve surveys a broader landscape on their second album, City on a Hill (2019) a project that feels contemporary and thoughtfully crafted. The band members bring their considerable skills to bear on these moving and evocative songs, complementing their ability to rock out with the best on some classic footstompers.