I’m really excited to have recently announced a very special gig in True North Music’s local live music series – presenting the fantastic USA quintet Gangstagrass at Marsden Mechanics on Friday 28th July! Gangstagrass perform a massively entertaining fusion of bluegrass and hip-hop, with two emcees trading verses alongside some quintessentially bluegrassy banjo and fiddle plus acoustic guitar. There’s fine singing as well, with classic three and four part harmonies. This is a big one for us and while it may sound slightly left-field, this band fits perfectly with our longstanding mission to showcase and celebrate the wonderfully diverse range of American roots music. I promise, this band will have you up on your feet dancing, as well as providing food for thought with their reflective, thoughtful lyrics.
Gangstagrass was first established back in 2006 by Brooklyn producer and singer-songwriter Rench, and they’ve garnered a reputation among fans on both sides of the Atlantic for their exciting, dynamic and entertaining live show, blowing away audiences everywhere and making their Glastonbury debut last year. True North Music regulars may recognise banjoist and singer Dan Whitener who was here on tour with his other band Man About A Horse back in 2019. Dan has been an integral part of Gangstagrass for over a decade and brings his superlative banjo picking, singing and songwriting to the collective.
With five studio albums to their credit as well as the Emmy-nominated Long Hard Times to Come (the theme to hit TV series Justifed), Gangstagrass also appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2021 after the pandemic brought the band’s touring schedule to a halt. They brought their quintessentially American music and message of unity to a massive TV audience across the USA and beyond, on their way to becoming quarter-finalists. Check out some video clips below to get a flavour of what this groundbreaking, exceptional band is all about, and don’t miss a very special night at Marsden in July – the only Gangstagrass date in the north of England on this run!
This event is part of True North Music’s 2023-24 live music series, supported by National Lottery Project Grants funding from Arts Council England. Many thanks to them for supporting grassroots live music, enabling us to continue to bring world class artists like this to our local community venues. We also want to thank our series sponsor Dark Woods Coffee, and event sponsor Eagle Music Shop, for their support. This show will be part seated and part standing (to allow for dancing). There will be a licensed bar.