30 years after his debut album, Cannibal, was released, Peter Bruntnell shows no signs of slowing down and is still attracting rave reviews for both his recorded and live music. His 14th album, Houdini and the Sucker Punch, was released last November to great acclaim, with Americana UK's Paul Kerr awarding it a 9/10 rating and saying, An album which deserves to be considered amongst the best that Bruntnell has bestowed on us so far. A definite contender for album of the year. Peter played a solo show in Great Easton in early 2022, when we were still in the shadow of the pandemic, and we are delighted that he will be returning to the village hall with his full band; and we know through recent personal experience that they are on cracking form. But dont just take our word for it, here's what others have been saying: For close to thirty years Bruntnell has continued to deliver at the highest level. Whether it be through the quality of his writing, the brilliance of each album, or the musical excellence of his live shows, he is without doubt one of the finest artists that these shores have produced and tonight's performance proved he is still very much firing on all cylinders. A simply sublime concert. Americana UK, March 2025 Houdini is also referred to in the title of the latest album by veteran UK songwriter Peter Bruntnell, who opens tonight's proceedings with the type of captivating performance that makes the phrase 'support act seem a bit dismissive. Performing as a duo with a double bassist who injects cinematic colour and drama to Bruntnell's nimble acoustic guitar and drone loops, Bruntnell is in fine voice, picking choice cuts from a sizable back catalogue and offering self-deprecating, charmingly rambling anecdotes from years of hard roads and misadventures. Anyone arriving at the venue late is really missing a treat tonight. The Yorkshire Post, March 2025 And we are equally delighted to have Susannah Clegg providing the support slot. An exciting young singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Lancaster, Susannah recently released her debut EP of original songs inspired by Americana and classic country music, alongside 'spine-tingling renditions of American roots standards. Her recent work as a solo artist is a powerful combination of impressive vocals, thoughtful lyricism and acoustic guitar, taking inspiration from the likes of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Loretta Lynn and Townes van Zandt as well as contemporary artists such as Willie Watson, Sierra Ferrell and Gillian Welch to produce a timeless sound that takes in country, blues, soul, folk and western swing. Free parking is available on High Street and neighbouring roads, and there will be a full bar.

After a decade of only sporadic activity (a result of various other projects being pursued), Oxford's The Dreaming Spires are back with a vengeance, with a new album and a supporting tour in the autumn; and we are delighted that one of the stops on that tour will be in the Welland Valley. The Dreaming Spires are brothers Robin and Joe Bennett, Jamie Dawson, Tom Collison and Nick Fowler. Robin and Joe formed early 2000s Oxfordshire indie band Goldrush, who signed to Virgin Records. Over the last decade they have toured the world as part of Saint Etienne's live band, and of course with the award-winning Bennett Wilson Poole, who played a memorable gig in Great Easton in 2019. Jamie is in constant demand on drums for touring US artists such as Annie Keating and Carter Sampson, while Tom plays keys in Danny & the Champions of the World and has toured with the likes of Billy Bragg. Nick joined Goldrush for their 3rd and final album in 2008, and is band member of choice for the likes of Gaz Coombes (Supergrass) and Peter Buck (REM). The band's third album, Normal Town, makes its way into the world on October 24th, with the title track being released as the first single on June 27th. We cannot wait for what will be an exhilarating night of live music and we hope you will join us. Free parking is available on High Street and there will be a full bar.

For what began life as something of a side project for Michael Weston King & Lou Dalgleish, a labour of love, a homage to the classic country duets of the 60’s and 70’s, My Darling Clementine is now very much part of the country and Americana landscape. 3 critically acclaimed albums, over 400 shows across Europe and N. America, numerous accolades and awards has placed the band at the forefront of the burgeoning Americana scene The debut How Do You Plead? was produced by Neil Brockbank (Nick Lowe, Jim Lauderdale,Tift Merritt) and featured some of London’s finest musicians from the 70’s pub rock era. Players who understood ‘classic country’. Released in 2011, it was immediately acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic. Country Music People called it; “The greatest British country record ever made” while American Songwriter stated “this is as authentic as anything out of Nashville or Texas… A batch of superb C&W corkers.” Such praise led to a US record deal and invitations to appear at the Americana Music Association in Nashville and SXSW in Austin in 2013 2013's follow-up, The Reconciliation, produced by Colin Eliot (Richard Hawley, Duane Eddy) and featuring guest appearances from Kinky Freidman and The Brodsky Quartet only enhanced the bands growing reputation and received a similar critical response. Uncut exclaimed; “The husband-and-wife duo serve up more countrified duet thrills…on this form, it’s a winning formula that looks set to run and run,” while in the States the New York Daily News choose it as album of the week while Popmatters put it in their Top 10 Country Albums of 2013. In 2015 Michael & Lou took something of an artistic departure, and collaborated with best-selling crime writer Mark Billingham on an audiobook, a stage play and album called The Other Half (www.theotherhalfshow.com) The song and story project, set in a run down bar in downtown Memphis, and told through the eyes of former Vegas show girl, now ageing waitress Marcia featured a brand new Billingham story and 8 MDC songs. The album also featured guest appearances by the actor David Morrissey and iconic British singer songwriter Graham Parker. After 18 months of touring The Other Half – time for album number 4. Re-uniting with Neil Brockbank, the new album, Still Testifying, was recorded over the summer of 2016. Stylistically, it is a further shifting away from classic country to embrace gospel and country soul… ‘more Delaney & Bonnie than George & Tammy’. But if the musical landscape has changed then the message and tone of the songs stay pretty constant. 2 adults, a man and woman, singing to each, about each other, for and against each other.