2019 gigs

Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves

Saturday 23rd November

The Carlile Institute, Meltham, Huddersfield

WHAT a concert! Our last event of the year was a sold-out, packed room at the Carlile where we were treated to an absolute masterclass of musicianship from Tatiana and Allison, with a support set of beautiful songs from Evan Davies too. Thanks to everyone who supported the show and all our concerts this year!

Talented banjoist Allison De Groot has made a name for herself as a member of Molsky’s Mountain Drifters and The Goodbye Girls. Originally from Winnipeg, Canada, Allison gained a performance degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music and has since toured all over the world. Tatiana Hargreaves is a phenomenal old time and bluegrass fiddler, based in North Carolina. She has toured with luminaries including Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and Bruce Molsky, and also performed on Laurie Lewis’ Grammy nominated album The Hazel And Alice Sessions, among other projects. Together, Allison and Tatiana create a sound that is masterful and original, whilst still paying homage to the best of Appalachian traditions. Their self-titled debut album not only showcases their hugely impressive musicianship, but also reflects on the expansive, diverse canon of American roots music. These young women are two of the finest performers working in American roots music, and we’re thrilled to bring them to Meltham as part of their debut UK tour!​ 

The Slocan Ramblers

Friday 18th October

Marsden Mechanics

As expected, the Slocans were simply awesome and wowed a really appreciative crowd at Marsden Mechanics.  Thanks to everyone who came out to see this superb band!

The Slocan Ramblers return to Yorkshire with a gig at Marsden Mechanics. This brilliantly entertaining band will bring a smile to your face and have your feet tapping. Hailing from Toronto, the multi-talented Canadians combine impressive bluegrass musicianship (on mandolin, banjo, guitar and double bass) with a fresh contemporary appeal. Their third album, Queen City Jubilee (2018) has already amassed glowing reviews and a prestigious Juno Award nomination in early 2019 for Traditional Roots Album of the Year. The Slocan Ramblers also received a coveted Band Momentum Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) this year and wowed the bluegrass crowds as a featured showcase artist at the IBMA’s big conference and festival in North Carolina in September. Join us for what’s bound to be an outstanding and fun evening of barnstorming bluegrass and Americana!

Bill & the Belles + Hoot & Holler

Tuesday 3rd September 2019

The Greystones, Sheffield

Well, this one didn’t just keep up our usual excellent standard – it smashed it! Thanks to everyone who came out on a Tuesday night for this incredible double bill gig . The two bands were on fire and the Sheffield audience was in fine form – a VERY special night to remember!

Bill and the Belles are an entertaining Tennessee quartet featuring glorious vocal harmonies and exquisite musicianship on fiddle, banjo, guitar and double bass. Influenced by classic country, bluegrass, hillbilly and old time music, their attractive “vintage” persona is rooted in the music of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Bandleader Kris Truelsen 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. Bill and the Belles bring to the stage an uplifting live show full of engaging humour, high spirits, and all-around revelry! Groovy young folk/roots duo Hoot & Holler from North Carolina blend old time Appalachian traditions with fine contemporary songwriting and musicianship on fiddle, guitar and banjo.

Hoot & Holler

Sunday 25th August (Bank Holiday weekend)

The Carlile Institute, Meltham

Thanks to everyone who came out on the Bank Hol weekend, we had a great turnout at the end of the summer hols and Hoot & Holler went down a storm!

Hoot & Holler is a groovy young folk/roots duo that blends old time Appalachian traditions with fine contemporary songwriting and musicianship on fiddle, guitar and banjo. Brought together by a mutual love for American folk music, Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski are both alumni of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Inspired by the enduring spirit of traditional Appalachian music, they now make their home in Asheville, North Carolina, and combine the polished technique of their musical training with the grit, drive, and soul of their musical heroes, legendary mountain musicians like Roscoe Holcomb and Ola Belle Reed.

Man About A Horse

Thursday 4th July 2019

The Greystones, Sheffield

Thanks to everyone who filled the room at the Greystones on a warm July evening, the lads were absolutely brilliant and we hope to bring them back to the UK next year!

Man About A Horse is an entertaining American quintet from Philadelphia, blending traditional bluegrass and contemporary Americana. With banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, double bass and sparkling harmony vocals, this award-winning band mixes dynamic performances with outstanding musicianship. Formed in 2014, the band has released two studio recordings to date, their 2015 EP and their self-titled debut album in 2017 which earned widespread praise. 2018 was a breakout year for Man About a Horse, including multiple tours across the USA and various awards coming their way. They won the Band contest at Freshgrass festival, were named 2018 Emerging Artist at Grey Fox Bluegrass festival and were nominated for a Band Momentum Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association. What better date for a bluegrass and Americana party than the Fourth of July?

AJ Lee & Blue Summit

Saturday 1st June 2019

The Carlile Institute, Meltham

Thanks to all who came along to this sold out concert, possibly our busiest yet with every single chair taken! Blue Summit were absolutely brilliant too!

California’s Blue Summit is an outstanding contemporary bluegrass and Americana quartet featuring young rising stars AJ Lee and Sullivan Tuttle, who throughout their teens were members of The Tuttles with AJ Lee (alongside Sullivan’s elder sister, celebrated guitarist Molly Tuttle). Blue Summit combine virtuoso instrumental work with soaring vocals and sweet harmonies, bringing a fresh modern approach to bluegrass music. Formed in 2015, the band also takes in elements of western swing, soul, folk, jazz and pop/rock. A powerful singer and gifted mandolinist, bandleader AJ (Aissa) Lee has been making waves on the acoustic scene for many years, performing with The Tuttles since the age of just ten! Now a maturing solo artist, songwriter and leader of this outstanding band, she has already released two solo albums in addition to Blue Summit’s two band releases. Sullivan Tuttle is a flatpicking guitarist with a gargantuan talent, last seen performing in the UK alongside big sister Molly as a member of family band The Tuttles. With the line-up completed by two more accomplished musicians, Jesse Fichman (guitar) and Chad Bowen (bass), Blue Summit has performed at gigs and festivals throughout California and across the USA.


Ron Block & Tony Furtado

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2019 

The Greystones, Sheffield

Thanks to all who came along at the end of the Bank Hol weekend, nearly 100 people on a Monday night! Ron & Tony’s sensational set was complemented by some beautiful songs by support artist Hayley Carlyon.

Bluegrass banjo ace Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station) is also a superb guitarist, multiple Grammy winner and songwriter. Tony Furtado is an exceptional banjoist, slide guitarist, singer and songwriter. I’m going to take credit for putting this sensational duo together for this tour, and it proved to be an absolute firecracker! California-born Ron has released several solo albums and performed with countless renowned musicians including Dolly Parton, Sam Bush, Kate Rusby and Damien O’Kane. His collaboration with Damien resulted in their brilliant Banjophony album (2018).  Tony Furtado is a stunning live performer who’s been hailed as a genius on banjo and slide guitar. Tony has released a number of acclaimed albums which have blended jazz, bluegrass, folk and blues, and has toured worldwide since the 1990s playing his captivating brand of Americana and acoustic roots. He’s collaborated with luminaries including Mike Marshall, Seth Lakeman, Laurie Lewis, Matt Flinner, Alison Krauss and more. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Tony is an evocative and soulful singer, a talented songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist.

 

Pharis and Jason Romero

Saturday 27th April 2019

The Greystones, Sheffield

This gig ended up SELLING OUT on the night – thanks to all who supported this exquisite performance from Pharis and Jason, complemented by a sizzling opening set by Ólta!

Acclaimed Canadian roots duo Pharis & Jason Romero made a big impact when they first toured the UK in 2015. Their engaging blend of home made music combines the very best of contemporary and traditional, blending folk with acoustic Americana (Canadiana?) with gorgeous harmonies, superb original songwriting and exquisite musicianship on acoustic guitar and banjo. The duo has released several highly praised albums, including 2018’s Sweet Old Religion, an all-original record that reflects over a decade of playing together. Pharis and Jason also won two Canadian Folk Awards in December 2018, and a Juno for Sweet Old Religion in early 2019.

 

 

The Often Herd

Saturday 6th April 2019

The Carlile Institute, Meltham

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Carlile last night for a scorching gig from The Often Herd, keeping up the gold standard of TNM’s events in Meltham!

The Often Herd is a hugely entertaining contemporary bluegrass/Americana band. Their outstanding musicianship and charismatic stage presence have taken them to the top of the British bluegrass scene. We’ve known Evan, Rupert, Sam and Niles for quite a few years and we were big fans of their previous band The Kentucky Cowtippers. [thanks to fiddle ace Kieran Towers who is sitting in for Niles on this tour]. Now this super talented foursome has a new project, and in only their first year as The Often Herd, the band has recorded and released a highly praised debut EP, as well as winning the prestigious band contest at La Roche Bluegrass Festival in France.

Mile Twelve

Saturday 16th March 2019

The Greystones, Sheffield

Thanks to everyone who came out on a wet and windy evening to pack out the Greystones for this sold out gig – a VERY special night of music with Mile Twelve’s searing performance complemented by a beautiful opening set from the Redwood River Band!

Mile Twelve is an exceptionally talented young quintet, fast gaining recognition for outstanding performances in bluegrass and folk circles in the USA. The band has been on a swift rise since forming in 2014 in Boston. This engaging young five-piece delivers breathtaking live performances which feature outstanding musicianship and vocal harmonies. Mile Twelve has toured throughout the USA, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, and won the 2017 Momentum Award at the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards. Their entertaining live material includes  creative covers as well as their own acclaimed bluegrass and folk originals and a sprinkling of traditional songs. In October 2017 they released their debut full-length album Onwards, and their keenly anticipated follow-up City on a Hill will be released in April 2019.

 

The Honey Dewdrops

Saturday 2nd February 2019

The Carlile Institute, Meltham

A completely sold-out hall for our first gig of 2019 – and what a gig it was! A very special evening of exquisite music from the Dewdrops.

Known on the American roots music scene for their top-notch songwriting, The Honey Dewdrops treat listeners to a raft of memorable, beautifully performed songs, with gorgeous vocal harmonies and a versatile musical set-up that includes clawhammer banjo, mandolin, harmonica and acoustic guitars. Although undeniably steeped in bluegrass and old-time country, The Honey Dewdrops encompass both traditional and modern in their sound. Hailing from Virginia, Laura Wortman and Kagey (pronounced keggy) Parrish are now based in Baltimore and have been touring full time for almost ten years. Early 2019 will see The Honey Dewdrops embark on their first UK tour, including their debut appearance at the prestigious Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow. We first heard of The Honey Dewdrops via the fantastic band Front Country, who cover one of the duo’s songs and are old friends of theirs. When we finally saw the Dewdrops in concert they were just as marvellous as expected, and we can’t wait to bring them to Meltham for a gig at The Carlile Institute.