Stomping around the British country music scene…
This time last year The Long Road festival raised the bar for both country music events in the UK, and for my tolerance for camping. Back then I raved about it and said I absolutely couldn’t wait for this September, that I was ready to go back to sunny Leicestershire right away. But somehow I... Continue Reading →
The Danes have a distinctive, peculiar way of applauding. To show their appreciation for a particularly good performance, rather than the ripple of unsynchronised clapping we (Brits and possibly the rest of the world) break out in, theirs is a chant-like clap in unison. It’s a sound I got used to with over four days of stunning... Continue Reading →
I had accidentally fallen into an audio rut. Last month I went for an overdue coffee (and mojito doughnut) with a friend and she led with “are you still into country music?”. “Of course!” I replied. Why had she asked? This isn’t a transient aspect of my life, not like “are you still dating that... Continue Reading →
The sun’s coming out, Lauren Alaina's coming over and the toilets are going in. These are the last couple of days before the launch of Dixie Fields, a new country music festival in Chelmsford, Essex. My chat with festival pioneer Georgie is delayed because she’s been caught up in possibly the most crucial calculation since... Continue Reading →
I often leave a Country gig feeling inspired. Sometimes it’s the energy of the music, often it’s a lyric that wouldn’t be out of place on a motivational poster, other times it’s just being surrounded by my tribe singing in unison and unfettered revelry. Leaving Carrie Underwood’s London concert - a proper big-hit-belting, arena-worthy show... Continue Reading →
Brits in Boots 