If, like me, you love your live country music but are not a festival goer then the Summer months can often be a bit sparse when it comes to gigs here in the UK.
However, this year I have already got quite a lot to look forwards to especially when it comes to female country/americana artists which is my preference…….maybe I’ll see you at one of the following!
1. Eve Selis A regular visitor to these shores, Eve is playing a string of dates across the UK in the next week ( sorry for the late notice on this one!) . With nine studio albums to delve into, this California based artist and her band blend country, folk and rock and have garnered praise from none other than Bob Harris who describes Eve as an “ awesomely powerful” live performer . Dates can be found at eveselis.com
2. Whitney Rose I’m so excited that one of my favourites is back this Summer, playing UK dates before continuing on to Europe ( details at whitneyrosemusic.com). She describes her style as “ vintage-pop-infused-net-traditional-country” ( make of that what you will!) and is heavily influenced by the classic country queens I also love such as Kitty, Tammy and Dolly. Originally from Canada she now calls Austin, Texas her home and plays regularly at the city’s legendary Continental Club when she isn’t out on the road. There’s a new album on the way, meanwhile check out this live version of “ Trucker’s Funeral”, my favourite track from her her 2017 release “ Rule 62”
3. Hannah Rose Platt Not a tour but a one-off date at London’s Green Note for one of the UK’s top Americana singer/songwriters ( in my opinion!) on July 25th. Originally from Liverpool, Hannah is a really engaging performer who I have seen several times before, her writing is beautiful and moving and this intimate performance space is an ideal place to catch her if you get the chance. Having just signed a record deal with CRS/Continental Records in the Netherlands look out for her new album “ Letters Under Floorboards” later this year, the follow up to her wonderful 2016 release “ Portraits”. Support comes from London’s Roisin McNeill who I’m looking forwards to seeing for the first time especially as she is drawing comparisons to Lori McKenna!
4. Emma King Moving on to August now, and I’m looking forwards to seeing Emma for the first time as she tours to promote her upcoming release “ The Sun And The Blues”. Another talent from the UK, Emma recorded this project in the States, live to tape old school style, at the two legendary studios referred to in its title Sun Studios in Memphis and Nashville’s House of The Blues and it was mastered at London’s Abbey Road Studios. Release date is 26th July, here’s a taste of what to expect, I love her blend of country, blues and soul! More details can be found at emmakingmusic.com
5. Erin Enderlin and Kayla Ray Having toured together in the States last year it’s fantastic news for all you trad country fans that these two hugely talented singer/songwriters are finally bringing their combined talents to the UK. Erin is an artist I’ve been following for some time now, as a writer she has had cuts by the likes of Alan Jackson ( Monday Morning Church) and LeeAnn Womack ( Last Call) and most recently Reba McEntire ( The Bar’s Getting Lower) but is an amazing artist in her own right too and has graced the Opry stage several times…..check out her album “ Whiskeytown Crier” and her two recently released concept EP’s which include this killer track
I’m not so familiar with Kayla’s music but having listened to her two albums , the most recent being her 2018 release “ Yesterday And Me” , I am super excited to see her live . Her Texan roots and love of artists such as Loretta, Merle and Willie definitely shape her music and she has a great talent for painting pictures and telling stories in her writing
Their tour is being finalised, keep an eye on their sites ( erinenderlin.com and kaylaraymusic.com ) for more details.
