New Americana Festival launches in Bristol

Barely a year goes by without a newcomer to the Bristol festival calendar, and this year it’s the turn of the Americana Festival.

Taking place at the Colston Hall and St George’s on July 11 and 12, the festival will feature live performances from US country stars Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham, Larkin Poe, Police Dog Hogan and more.

The lineup for this collaborative mini-festival presenting some of the best roots artists touring today, including Emmylou Harris who performed her landmark album Wrecking Ball at Colston Hall last May.

Highlights:

James Hunter Six: July 11, The Lantern

With a soulful tenor that recalls a host of R&B greats from Sam Cooke to Bobby Bland, Essex born James Hunter was introduced to 50s and 60s rock and blues by his Grandmother. Spotted by Van Morrison, he spent years as his backing artist before launching a successful solo career, and has since recognised the talents and loyalty of his own backing band by renaming them the James Hunter Six. 

Goodtime Saturday double bill featuring Larkin Poe and Police Dog Hogan, St George’s Bristol, July 11

Atlanta, Georgia’s Larkin Poe are a kicking Americana roots-rock band fronted by Rebecca and Megan Lovell, who with their sister Jessica performed as The Lovell Sisters before going on to work with Elvis Costello, Conor Oberst and T-Bone Burnett. Rebecca and Megan formed Larkin Poe – named after their ancestor, a cousin of Edgar Allan Poe – in 2010 and last year were voted ‘Best Discovery of Glastonbury’ by The Observer. 

An Evening With Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell, Colston Hall, July 12

The acclaimed artists, long-time friends and Colston Hall favourites make a triumphant return to Bristol in support of their new album Old Yellow Moon. Emmylou and Rodney will perform material spanning their vast back catalogues, backed by a distinguished group of musicians including Steve Fishell, Jedd Hughes, Byron House, Gerry Roe and Chris Tuttle.

Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham, The Lantern, July 12

A legendary pairing – Spooner Oldham was part of the original house band that played on hundreds of hits that came out of the revered Muscle Shoals and in the famous FAME studios run by Rick Hall, including When A Man Loves a Woman and Mustang Sally. One of the great white soul singers of his generation, Dan Penn has written many of the greatest soul songs of the 60s, including Dark End of The Street and Cry Like A Baby.

Blues & Bluegrass double bill featuring Mud Morganfield and The Coal Porters, St George’s, July 12

Chicago blues singer and songwriter Mud Morganfield is the eldest son of legendary bluesman Muddy Waters. He’s recognised as one of the best, toughest and most authentic figures on the contemporary blues scene, mixing his own songs with classics from the traditional urban blues repertoire associated with his father. He’s appeared with Buddy Guy, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and actor/musician Hugh Laurie, and today is accompanied by his regular band of piano, harmonica, guitar, double bass and drums, as seen on ‘Later With Jools Holland’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00cJ4uo9mkY. The show is opened by The Coal Porters, ex-Long Ryder and country-rock luminary Sid Griffin’s “alternative” (they do David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ and Bob Dylan as well as old-timey stuff) acoustic bluegrass. Their latest album, ‘Find The One’, was produced by folk music genius John Wood (Nick Drake, Fairport Convention).

St George’s Americana Weekend ticket £35 plus fees (for both days saving £5). Tickets and more info available at www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk and www.colstonhall.org