Live events Archives - Page 18 of 34

Folk Alliance International Celebrates GRAMMY Week 2018 With Inaugural Live Event

Folk Alliance International (FAI) has announced its inaugural event in celebration of the 2018 GRAMMY Week on Saturday, January 27 from 1:00PM-3:30PM at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Honoring past and present Best Folk Album nominees and other American Roots music artists, the event will be emceed by Canadian singer/songwriter Rose Cousins, whose album Natural Conclusion is nominated for Best Engineered Album, the matinee event will include performances by 2018 Best Folk Album nominees Olivia Chaney (Offa Rex) and The Secret Sisters, as well as special guests Dar Williams, Best Traditional Blues Album nominee Guy Davis and Fabrizio Poggi, Ashley Campbell, daughter of the late Glen Campbell, who is nominated for Best American Roots Performance. Also attending is special guest Bobby Osborne, Best Bluegrass Album nominee. 2018 marks the Recording Academy’s 60th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of Folk Alliance International. To commemorate these milestones and shared history, Folk Alliance International is hosting an event in New York City to celebrate the 2018 GRAMMY Week and this year’s Best of Folk Album nominees. “We’re proud to acknowledge the role of the Recording Academy in elevating and supporting our genre,” says Executive Director of Folk Alliance International Aengus Finnan, “and as our organisation enters its fourth decade it’s important that we celebrate our artists and community at this level.” 2018 Best Folk Album Nominees include: Aimee Mann, Mental Illness Laura Marling, Semper Femina Offa Rex, The Queen of Hearts The Secret Sisters, You Don’t Own Me Anymore Yusuf / Cat Stevens, The Laughing Apple The 60th GRAMMY Awards will air live from New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, January 28, 2018, on CBS.

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Sarah Darling back in the UK after stunning 2017 concert

Exclusives, Live events, News / Editor

Nashville based singer Sarah Darling will be back in the UK this March for a 12-date tour, following her sold out Christmas concert at the St Pancras Old Church last December. The tour stops off at London’s prestigious Union Chapel on Monday, March 5th which also marks Sarah’s biggest headline show in the UK to date. There are just a few tickets left for this, so be sure to pick yours up soon! If her Christmas concert was anything to go by, there will be a mix of songs from her previous albums and plenty of new ones to get you fired up for her upcoming album due in 2018. When we last chatted to Sarah in December ’16, we recommended all readers give a listen to her album ‘Dream Country’, as it revealed an exciting artist breaking out of the box, and the new record promises to be more of the same. Sarah has been working with Mark Bright, the producer responsible for some of country music’s greatest sounding albums by artists including Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts. When we asked Sarah about this recently, she sounded very enthusiastic about working with Mark: “Dream Country was such an important album for me, since it was so personal and true to my creative style. Working with Mark has been wonderful and allows me to take my music to the next stage. I’m so excited to share the new music.” The first single from the record will be officially released on March 2nd. Following her opening slots for chart toppers Ward Thomas, touring the UK with her own “Night in Nashville” shows, and performing at the C2C: Country to Country festival (2016 & 2017), Sarah Darling has gone from strength to strength within the industry. On this 12 show tour, the BCMA Awards ‘International Touring Artist of the Year’ nominee will be performing songs from her three studio albums – including the acclaimed 2017 release ‘Dream Country’ and previewing songs from her forthcoming 2018 album. Looking forward to the tour Sarah says “I am so excited to return to the UK for a release party of sorts! My newest single is scheduled to release on March 2nd, and I cannot wait to celebrate with my UK fans.” Sarah previewed some new material from the upcoming album during her sold out Christmas concert at St Pancras’ Church last December. Sure to be performed on this upcoming tour, is a track co-written with Ward Thomas. For one of the brightest new stars in the country music scene, the sky really is the limit. Tickets go on sale Friday 12th January 2018, check out the dates below! 05/03/2018 London Union Chapel 10/03/2018 Brighton Unitarian Church, Brighton 12/03/2018 Norwich The Waterfront 13/03/2018 Gateshead Gateshead 2 14/03/2018 Liverpool Studio 2 15/03/2018 Glasgow Oran Mor 17/03/2018 Cambridge Unitarian Church, Cambridge 18/03/2018 York Basement 19/03/2018 Manchester Night & Day 22/03/2018 Belfast Empire Music Hall 23/03/2018 Dublin Grand Social 27/03/2018 Bristol Lantern www.sarahdarling.com

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Heartwarming tribute to 2017’s lost artists

Live events / Editor

Nashville resident Keith Urban played at the town’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration for the second year in a row, performing a tribute to artists remembered for their compelling music. The performance included a backdrop of photos of late artists as a medley of songs played, including “Midnight Rider” for Gregg Allman, “Johnny B. Goode” for Chuck Berry, “Tulsa Time” for Don Williams, “Wichita Lineman” for Glen Campbell and “My Town” for Montgomery Gentry‘s Troy Gentry. Urban closed the tribute portion of his performance with a rendition of “Free Fallin’” for Tom Petty, promompting audience members to join in the singing. Urban then lifted the mood by asking “all the single people” to sing, then demanding the same of the couples in the audience. The evening also included Maren Morris–who dueted with Urban–Cheap Trick, Carly Pearce, Jonny P, Larkin Poe, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

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The LYNNeS tour dates announced!

Live events, News / Editor

The LYNNeS are Canadian heartbreak poets Lynn Miles and Lynne Hanson. The two songwriters are not new to working together, having toured and written songs off and on over the past 10 years, and with Miles having produced two of Hanson’s albums (River of Sand, 2014 and 7 Deadly Spins, 2015). For THE LYNNeS, songs are what matter the most, and their debut album “Heartbreak Song For The Radio” pairs hauntingly gritty lyrics with tight vocal harmonies. The duo adopted an old school approach to recording their album, choosing to record to tape and recording all the bed tracks and many of the vocal and acoustic guitar parts live off the floor. Tracks like “Don’t Look Down” and “Dark Waltz” showcase the unmistakable touch of Juno-award winning guitarist Kevin Breit (Nora Jones, KD Lang, Rosanne Cash). The infectious “Recipe for Disaster” highlights the songwriting duo’s knack to craft a catchy melody and memorable lyrics, while the radio-friendly title track “Heartbreak For The Radio” begs for the listener to hit repeat. The athletic groove of the funky “Halfway To Happy” is a brilliant counterweight to the airy “Blue Tattoo,” which would not be out of place on a Fleetwood Mac album. Each song on the album is a co-write, producing a truly collaborative effort, drawing on the strengths two Lynn(e), to create a sum greater than two individual parts. The two witty songwriters play off each other live, often leaving the audience howling with laughter with their between-song-banter. Miles has a slight edge in the humour department. In addition to their beautiful harmonies, the two are skilled multi-instrumental musicians (acoustic and electric guitars, piano, harmonica, mandolin, percussion). Lynn Miles is one of Canada’s most accomplished singer/songwriters, with fourteen albums to her credit, the winner of four Canadian Folk Music awards (including 2011 English Songwriter of the Year), and a 2003 Juno award for Roots and Traditional Solo Album of the Year. Her song “Black Flowers” appeared on Claire Lynch’s Grammy nominated album “North By South”. In support of the new album The LYNNeS will be touring the UK in February! Wed 21st CRAWLEY Hawth Theatre £15 on stage 7:45pm https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth Thu 22nd SHREWSBURY The Hive £12.50 on stage 7:45pm Home Fri. 23rd NEWBALD Newbald Village Hall £12 on stage7pm http://www.wegottickets.com/event/407268 Sat 24th COLCHESTER Little Rabbit Barn £15 on stage 7pm Live Music in Essex Sun 25th LONDON Green Room £10 on stage8pm Home Mon 26th BIRMINGHAM Kitchen Garden Café £12 on stage 7:30pm Main Home Tues 27th LEICESTER The Musician £10adv on stage 8pm http://www.themusicianpub.co.uk/ Wed 28th BIDDULPH Biddulph Up In Arms £12 on stage 7:30pm Biddulph Up In Arms

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Chris Young, Chris Lane and Chris Janson perform at 1stBank Center

Live events / Editor

Chris Young, Chris Lane and Chris Janson took to the stage yesterday at 1stBank Center for the 98.5 KYGO Christmas Jam. Country star Janson (“Fix a Drink,” “Buy Me A Boat”) released his second album, “Everybody,” in September, while only recently, Lane released “Take Back Home Girl” featuring Tory Kelly (the first single since his sophomore album, “Girl Problems,” in 2016). Headliner Young, whose hits include “Sober Saturday Night” and “Losing Sleep” headlined his own tour this year after a tour alongside Jason Aldean. The three had never played at the same gig together previously, however, the event allowed each individual to revel in the performances of fellow singers and musicians. Chris Young was first of the three to play.

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Acoustic Roots singer joins Ed Sheeran co-writer on tour

Live events / Editor

Sometimes unlikely performing partnerships just work – and fizz! That is undoubtedly the case with acclaimed young singer songwriter Luke Jackson who will join forces for the fourth time with Cardiff’s Amy Wadge for what promises to be a dazzling double header UK tour in the new year. Between January 17-February 4, Luke will tour England and Wales with Amy, known for her winning songwriting collaboration with Ed Sheeran. She and Sheeran, having reached No 1 in the official UK chart withThinking out Loud which went platinum, won the coveted Song of the Year at the 2016 Grammys. The global smash hit was the first song to celebrate a whole year in the Top 40. Jackson, a widely acclaimed, BBC award-nominated 23 year-old singer songwriter, says: “The tour with Amy is becoming our favourite way to start the year. 2017 started with my third tour with Amy. It was the best yet- we played to large, enthusiastic audiences and had a great time and I think the 2018 tour will be even better”. Amy sings on the Finding Home track on Luke’s most recent studio album Tall Tales & Rumours. Variously likened to Richard Thompson, Jeff Buckley, Martin Simpson – and even Kent’s answer to Rufus Wainwright – Jackson has rapidly made a name for himself on the acoustic roots scene with an outstanding voice, songwriting skills and stage presence that completely belie his years. The Canterbury musician’s remarkable 2012 debut album More Than Boys triggered a double nomination at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (Young Folk Award and Horizon Award for Best Emerging Act) and just 18 months later he fulfilled all the promise heaped upon him with his second album Fumes and Faith, with the accolades coming thick and fast. A belting blues and roots-infused album it showed how quickly and skilfully he had honed his craft. Sparse and stripped back with a wealth of narrative songs it received widespread airplay and accolades across BBC Radios 2,3 and 6, showing the limitless appeal of his ever developing music. In 2015 the prolific songwriter released his third album, revealing his new trio in This Family Tree – Andy Sharps on bass and Connor Downs (percussion). The punchy seven track EP of finely observed original numbers was released on Luke’s own new label, First Take Records, and this was followed by the acclaimed Tall Tales & Rumours in 2016. In 2017 Luke has had another successful year which included a return to the Kansas Folk Alliance with the British contingent – see him appropriately singing his song Kansas www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO4_H2P_SG0 Joining forces with Amy Wadge presents an exciting start to 2018 – a 13 date tour taking in London (Green Note) and their home towns of Cardiff and Canterbury. Described by Bob Harris as “an irresistible, riveting performer” Amy is widely regarded as one of the country’s most successful female singer songwriters. Her Thinking Out Loud co-write with Ed Sheeran became the biggest selling UK album of 2015. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-EO5I60KA. Amy has worked with Sheeran since he was 17 (his first EP was entitled Songs I Wrote With Amy) and she co-wrote some of the songs on his latest album Divide. With great vocal range in her emotive songs she has twice won the Best Solo Female Artist title at the Welsh Music Awards, ahead of Charlotte Church in 2002 and Cerys Matthews in 2003. In 2016 she won two awards at the ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Awards) – Song of the Year and Top Digital Song. A gutsy performer with a voice that is “tough but tender” she has supported some of the world’s great artists – Van Morrison, Damien Rice, Eric Bibb and Jeff Beck – and has seven album releases to her name. In 2015 she unveiled her first solo release in six years – the EP Recovery – and her most recent EP, No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk – includes her own version of Thinking Out Loud. Amy, who now has a home in Nashville, has had a busy 2017 on both sides of the Atlantic working with numerous performers including Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow, Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves and Dan Tyminski. Luke and Amy will perform separate sets as well as joining forces for certain numbers on this tour which showcases two generations of stand-out songwriters. Full tour details follow www.lukepauljackson.com/www.amywadge.com

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Chase Rice completes first UK & Ireland tour to critical acclaim

Live events / Editor

Nashville based country singer-songwriter Chase Rice, whose new album ‘Lambs & Lions’ was released in November to much acclaim from both fans and critics, last week completed his first ever tour of the UK & Ireland, playing to sellout crowds across Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Dublin. Audiences were treated to a rare solo acoustic performance from the star, with songs from the new album, along with picks from further back in his catalogue, including fan favourite ‘Carolina Can’ and a version of the Florida Georgia Line hit ‘Cruise’, which Rice co-wrote. In his own words: “The fans that came out to the shows sang every word to every song, including album cuts from ‘Lambs & Lions’ which is only a couple weeks old. Europe and the UK have true-to-the-core country music fans, and they genuinely blew our minds. Thank you for showing up and singing with us. The band and I are already planning our next tour as that was unreal!” Among the positive reviews already stacking up for the tour, popular country website Nashville Over Here said “if you wanted an artist to get the party started, you’d be hard pressed to find one better than Chase”; while Entertainment Focus noted “it won’t be long before he’s selling out much bigger venues here”. Rice reassured British & Irish fans he’d be back as soon as possible, with his full band. The new album ‘Lambs & Lions’ is out now on BBR/BMG, with lead single ‘Three Chords and The Truth’ gaining traction at radio on both sides of the pond. The ten songs on Lambs & Lions derive from Rice’s life and experience, triumphs and disappointments, and ultimately his determination to stand up for his convictions. Produced by Chris DeStefano, Mac MacAnally and, most surprisingly, Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Cold War Kids), Lambs & Lions offers up sounds from the unsettling strings and horns on the title track to the spare piano and swelling choir of “Amen.” And if it took him walking out on his record company and finding a new home to get there, it also reflects the unconventional path that led him to make music in the first place. Born in Florida and raised on a farm in Asheville, North Carolina, Rice was a promising linebacker at the University of North Carolina. “Football wired me for the rest of my life,” he says, “including in some wrong ways. So, I’ve had to learn to be more sensitive and when to be more aggressive. It’s a focus you carry on to everything you do in life.” Encouraged by his father, he began playing guitar and writing songs in college. After his father died and an injury ended his football career, music became his solace during a period of depression. (The slogan he took to writing inside the brim of his baseball caps, “HDEU,” served as a reminder to keep his head down, working, but his eyes up, looking forward to the future—and now inspires his clothing company, Head Down Eyes Up.) After college, Rice was selected as a NASCAR pit crew member, winning two championships with the Lowes teams, and then took time away to escape. But his heart never left music, and he knew he had to take his shot at Nashville. Soon after arriving, he was part of the team that wrote Florida Georgia Line’s smash “Cruise,” which went on to be certified Platinum with over 10 million in sales. After a couple of independent album releases of his own, Rice signed a major label deal. It was the peak moment for country songs about girls, trucks, and parties, and the Ignite the Night album spun off several hit singles, including the platinum “Ready Set Roll” and gold “Gonna Wanna Tonight.” Rice still feels connected to this work. “I can still completely relate to those songs,” he says. “I’m still proud of that record. It got people to come to the shows, put me on a farm I otherwise would never have, and made me into the artist I am today.

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Dartington International Summer School & Festival announces 70th anniversary programme

Live events / Editor

In celebration of Dartington International’s 70th anniversary in 2018, an extraordinary programme of courses and concerts open for everyone has been organised. World-class musicians and singers from the worlds of classical, folk, jazz, Latin and contemporary music come together. The full concert programme of over 100 concerts, open to the general public, will be announced in early 2018. They offer an opportunity to listen to unique concerts and collaborations in the atmospheric surroundings of the medieval Great Hall. The month-long festival includes a whole week of Folk (4 – 11 August) and will be rich with opportunities to explore and practice with experienced musicians. Each course runs for the whole week, so you are able to immerse yourself from breakfast until late – or break it up with a walk on the moor or a creative writing course with James Runcie, acclaimed novelist and commissioning editor for Arts at Radio 4, or Katrina Porteous, a poet known for her love of landscape and music. Singer, instrumentalist, composer and choir leader Sally Davies offers her extensive experience in folk and world music by leading a Folk Choir course. The Cecil Sharp House folk choir director will rehearse folk songs from England and Eastern Europe, in spine-tingling a cappella harmony, in preparation for a concert later in the week. Paul Hutchinson, another regular tutor at Cecil Sharp House, leads an accordion workshop where players at all levels are welcome. Sally and Paul also collaborate in a relaxed workshop offering guidance and advice to bring folk performances to life – ready for the folk sessions in The White Hart Bar. Founder of the folk/early music group The Carnival Band, Andy Watts explores street ballads and dance music from the 17th and 18th centuries, challenging artificial categories to create and exchange new music. Folk, Baroque and modern instrumentalists are encouraged to join the Folk Baroque workshop an exciting chance for musical innovation. David Harbottle and Freya Jonas, recipients of plaudits from folk royalty including Seth Lakeman and Jon Boden, lead As I Walked Out One Morning, a folk class offering eclectic music accompanied by captivating stories. They’ll open up a space for participants to rehearse traditional tunes and arrangements, as well as new collaborations. Week 2 finishes with our traditional foot-stomping Ceildh, led this year by the Blue Jewel Band. In Week 4 (18 – 25 August) The Dead Rat Orchestra returns to Dartington after sell out courses last summer. They’ve gained a reputation as one of the most innovative ensembles – raw, elemental and poignant with a love of idiosyncratic folk traditions. Their course will use found objects, old instruments and analogue systems to create multimedia installations all over the beautiful estate, culminating in a nocturnal touch-lit promenade at the end of the week. The Summer School & Festival is well known for its extraordinary courses, providing a unique and immersive experience for musicians of all levels of learning, talent and skill. It is renowned for offering amateurs, students and young professionals a unique opportunity to play with the world’s leading musicians – and offers the space to established artists to experiment, and explore new collaborations. Joanna MacGregor, Artistic Director says: “Dartington is a place of shimmering beauty, and its world-famous Summer School is 70 years young this year – proudly contributing to the creative life of this country. We have a packed programme of celebratory events in 2018 – from photographic exhibitions to illustrated lectures, film archives, music and theatre. The Summer School & Festival creates a community of all ages and backgrounds, coming together in a fantastic atmosphere of study and friendship, celebration and performance. The opportunity to work with, learn from, see and hear some of our most talented musicians is second to none.“ Booking opens in early December 2017.

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Kilkenny Roots Festival will celebrate 21-years

Live events, News / Editor

Award-winning songwriter Mary Gauthier, the legendary LA cow-punks The Blasters, and acclaimed Irish songwriter Seamus Fogarty have all been added to the bill of the 21st Kilkenny Roots Festival. last week the festival committee announced the first batch of artists to be playing the much-loved festival in 2018. Canada’s Deep Dark Woods are back after a four-year hiatus, Maryland’s Michael Nau makes his debut, whilst the Nashville based country queen Nikki Lane adds a wealth of great songs and a certain rhinestone sparkle to the line-up for what promises to be another exemplary weekend of the finest roots music around. Birds Of Chicago, the much-loved collaboration of JT Nero and Allison Russell join the bill as does the Prince Edward Islander Whitney Rose. Austria’s Prinz Grizzley return with their intoxicating country brew whilst the young International Bluegrass Guitarist of the year, Molly Tuttle will be performing a much-anticipated duo show with Rachel Baiman, whose ‘Shame’ album has received glowing support both in US and UK. Now in its 21st year, Kilkenny Roots Festival takes place in a number of venues around the beautiful city of Kilkenny, Ireland. Drawing crowds from all across Europe, the festival has long been established as one of the best festivals in any genre around the world and attracts a loyal and loving following who attend every year and make this a special weekend on the festival calendar. In previous years many acts, including Calexico, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and Alabama Shakes have made their Irish festival debuts at Kilkenny Roots Festival. Information and tickets can be found at www.kilkennyroots.com

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Metropolis Music presents Hayes Carll at Oslo, Hackney

Live events, News / Editor

Oslo, London – Monday 29th January 2018 Now firmly established as a next-generation singer and songwriter in the Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Ray Wylie Hubbard style of maverick country-folk, the Grammy nominated Texas singer and songwriter counts among his influences the likes of Bob Dylan, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Dead Poets Society, and the Beat novels and writings of Jack Kerouac, all of which reverberate in his mature songwriting style. Of his latest album, “Lovers and Leavers”, Carll comments: “I didn’t have one song that I knew would be a sing along or would make people dance. I felt vulnerable in a way that I hadn’t in a long time. But I got what I wanted – a record with space, nuance, and room to breathe. It felt right for my art. It felt right for my life. ‘Lovers and Leavers’ isn’t funny or raucous. There are very few hoots and almost no hollers. But it is joyous, and it makes me smile. No, it’s not my ‘Blood on the Tracks,’ nor is it any kind of opus. It’s my fifth record — a reflection of a specific time and place. It is quiet, like I wanted it to be.” “He spins a yarn with fresh wit, details a failure with unflinching honesty, and everything in between remains admirably cliché-free.”—Los Angeles Times Hayes Carll was nominated for “Best Country Song” at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for his song, “Chances Are.” Tickets available from: www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.metropolismusic.com

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