SummerTyne Americana Festival

SummerTyne Americana Festival lineup announced

by

With Americana music more popular than ever in the UK, the SummerTyne Americana Festival rejoices and gets back to the roots of American music. The line up for this increasingly popular festival is more diverse than ever before and brings together a sizzling combo of Americana legends as well as a plethora of newer US and UK breakthrough acts. Taking to the stages inside and outside Sage Gateshead between 18 and 20 July, organisers are proud to announce that headliners include The Jayhawks, Booker T. Jones, Bettye Lavette, Steven Seagal’s Blues Band, Chuck Prophet and the SummerTyne Strings, John Fullbright, Sarah Jarosz, Cass McCombs, Smoke Fairies, Eve Selis, Davina & The Vagabonds and many more.

Heading up the main stage is one of the most important bands to define the Americana sound, The Jayhawks, finest purveyors of country, roots-rock performing music from their ‘Sound of Lies’ era. Opening the show will be revered ex-Black Crowes lead guitarist Marc Ford showcasing music from his hotly tipped new album ‘Holy Ghost’.

A not to be missed soul music double bill includes both the legendary Booker T. Jones and compelling queen of Soul Bettye Lavette.  Also taking to the main stage will be Steven Seagal’s Blues Band plus Earl Thomas. The accomplished musician and Hollywood action legend has honed his craft for playing the blues, performing with the likes of BB King, John Lee Hooker and Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown.   Earl Thomas blends Stax soul with the grittiness of modern electric blues. 

In a very special and UK exclusive performance with the SummerTyne Strings, Californian singer/songwriter and Green on Red main-man Chuck Prophet, performs material from his Temple Beautiful Album arranged for chamber orchestra.

The 2014 programme includes some notable young and alternative Americana musicians, singers and songwriters.  Highlights include Texan “newgrass prodigy” Sarah Jarosz, hotly tipped Oklahoman singer/songwriter John Fullbright, Samantha Crain, known for her rich alto and thoughtful folk repertoire, folk/blues duo Smoke Fairies, master producer and singer song-writer Ethan Johns and cult singer-songwriter Cass McCombs.

Also appearing indoors will be country queen Eve Selis & Berkley Hart supported by breakthrough country-rock duo Zervas & Pepper and Canadian old-time string band Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys with one of the UK’s top young bluegrass and folk acts, The Carrivick Sisters.

Back for 2014 will be one of the most popular features of the SummerTyne Americana Festival, the free outdoor Jumpin’Hot stage.  Audiences can sit back on the south bank of the Tyne and enjoy the best in country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.  Acts appearing include Cajun queens The Magnolia Sisters, gravel-voiced Nashville singer Otis Gibbs, sassy piano-mama Davina & The Vagabonds, old time Irish/Appalachian band I Draw Slow,and soulful Americana from Danny and the Champions of the World plus many more. (see website for full list)

Additional attractions include the chance to join the SummerTyne Americana Festival Choir (lead by ex Massive Attack/Phantom Limb singerYolanda Quartey), film programme, talks & exhibitions, free showcase event in conjunction with the AMA-UK organisation, family concerts and free family activities, street food, vintage cars and much more!

SummerTyne Americana Festival announces ‘ A Celebration of Women in Country Music’

by

SummerTyne Americana Festival is pleased to announce ‘Honky Tonk Angels’ at Sage Gateshead on Saturday 20th July – a concert celebrating the rise of women in country music.

Named after the hit song by vintage country queen Kitty Wells, ‘Honky Tonk Angels’ is a special project created for SummerTyne. Fronted by Nashville country queen Elizabeth Cook, with Jan Howard as special guest – a long time member of the Grand Old Opry – and along with singers Brennen Leigh, Yolanda Quartey, Lou Dalgleish and Hannah Rickard; the group will celebrate the songs and lives of key country singers.

Festival Programmer, Tamsin Austin says, “With the critically acclaimed ‘Nashville’ on the television, compilation albums such as Soul Jazz Record’s recent ‘Country Soul Sisters’ and with more female artists than ever dominating the pop charts, I was inspired to commission this special concert for SummerTyne and bring together some really powerful female voices to celebrate the lives and music of the legions of successful women in country music.”

Since the 1950’s women have broken down the walls of what was initially a male-dominated music scene and shown female icons like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn rise, often from rural poverty, to dominate the country music charts and achieve huge critical and financial success. With songs often tackling challenging topics from sexual exploitation, domestic violence, abortion and prostitution, these singers were the voice of an early and wide-spread feminist movement.

The concert also focuses on the development of the country music sound itself, with a five piece band line up of special guests from the UK and US with Tim Carroll on guitar, Bones Hillman on upright bass, Liam Grundy on piano, Alan Cook on pedal steel and Neil Bullock on drums and brings the audience on a journey from its humble beginnings to the present day.

Produced by Sage Gateshead with generous support from MBM, ‘Honky Tonk Angels’ promises to be an exciting evening of country classics, rare gems and amusing anecdotes from the heyday of country music.

Other Nashville alumni announced for the festival include Gospel legends The McCrary Sisters, for their first ever visit to the UK. As a Gateshead special, The McCrary Sisters will lead and perform with the SummerTyne Community Gospel Choir for a special gospel brunch earlier in the day at 11am. There will also be an exclusive exhibition of artwork by Jon Langford of The Waco Brothers entitled ‘Nashville Radio’.

Other treats on offer throughout the festival include musical boat trips up the River Tyne, a come-and-sing community gospel choir, and supporting acts such Polly & The Billets Doux and Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. Taking place at the iconic music venue Sage Gateshead, SummerTyne Americana Festival promises a selection of the best Americana music in one of the most stunning city locations in the world – is there any place you’d rather be this summer?

SummerTyne Americana Festival is delighted to be endorsed by the Americana Music Association, Nashville, the leading organisation for the promotion of Americana music around the world.

 

Martha Wainwright announced for SummerTyne Americana Festival

by

SummerTyne Americana Festival is pleased to announce Martha Wainwright as headliner, with special guest Sam Amidon, at The Sage Gateshead on Saturday 20th July. Opening for Matthew E. White will be Nashville’s finest gospel group, The McCrary Sisters on Friday 19th July.

SummerTyne Americana Festival takes place over three days at The Sage Gateshead from Friday 19th– Sunday 21st July 2013 (full line up below).

A fantastic bill with two of the most powerful voices in the folk-Americana firmament, Martha Wainwright, the youngest of the Wainwright-McGarrigle clan, with her hugely expressive voice and arsenal of powerful songs, writes shamelessly confessional and sometimes vengeful lyrics. Yet to perform in the North East since the release of her most recent critically acclaimed album “Come Home to Mama,”written during a particularly difficult patch for Wainwright following the death of her mother and the birth of her first child, we are thrilled to welcome her to SummerTyne. Opening for Martha will be Vermont born folk singer Sam Amidon on the back of his debut release “Bright Sunny South” for Nonesuch records.  Another powerful and distinctive new voice, Sam has recently collaborated with Bill Frisell, Nico Muhly and Beth Orton and performed with Martha Wainwright in NYC.

Also announced, for their first ever visit to the UK, are Nashville legends The McCrary Sisters. The gospel choir of choice for many of the big Nashville country, soul and gospel artists, such as BeBe & CeCe Winans, Mike Farris, Patty Griffin, Charlie Louvin and even Bob Dylan, these four sisters – Ann, Regina, Deborah and Alfreda –  are the last word in gospel singing as it should be performed, full of power, passion and pure soulfulness. Thrillingly, as a Gateshead special, they will also lead and perform with the SummerTyne Community Gospel Choir for a very special gospel brunch at The Sage Gateshead on Saturday 20th at 11am.

See Regina McCrary live here with the Chicago Mass Choir.

With such a strong contingent of Nashville artists this year, Festival Programmer Tamsin Austin says:

“As more and more Americana acts than ever pick up awards across the globe, we are thrilled to be throwing open our doors once again to welcome this year’s contingent of friends from Nashville and across the US and UK, as well as the many dedicated music lovers who support the scene, for another jam-packed weekend of first class music.”

The full line up for SummerTyne is now as follows:

Friday 19th July

The Mavericks

Patty Griffin

Matthew E. White

The McCrary Sisters

 Home Fries Outdoor Stage

Fickle Lily

Big Red & The Grinners

David Broad & Serious Sam,  The Mee Kats, The Gathering Sky, Rob Heron and The Tea Pad Orchestra, 
Gem Andrews Band

Saturday 20th July

Martha Wainwright

‘Honky Tonk Angels’ – (Elizabeth Cook, Jan Howard, Brennen Leigh, Yolanda Quartey, Hannah Rickard, Lou Dalgleish)

Steve Riley &

The Mamou Playboys

Larkin Poe,

My Darling Clementine,

Sam Amidon

Jumpin’ Hot Outdoor Stage   

John Turrell & Band

Leeroy Stagger
 Brennen Leigh  & Noel McKay, 
Bill Kirchen Trio, Mighty Phil Lee, Rainbow Girls, 
The King Bees

River Cruise Boats

Anth Purdy, Honey Bop Trio, King Jim, Rainbow Girls

Sunday 21st July

Heritage Blues Orchestra

Mud Morganfield

Shelby Lynne

Willy Mason

Vera Van Heeringen

Dan Walsh

The Kentucky Cowtippers

Jumpin’ Hot Outdoor Stage  

Tom Russell

David Wax Museum Shiverin’ Sheiks,  Brendan Croker,  Polly & The Billets Doux, Jon Langford, 
The Kilcawley Family 

River Cruise Boats

David Wax Museum,

Dan Walsh,

Vera Van Heeringen,

Kentucky Cowtippers

 

SummerTyne Americana Festival offers a sizzling gumbo of American roots music – from fiery tex-mex to classic country and blues, the newest southern soul and Americana, to cajun, folk and bluegrass.  Taking place on the south side of the River Tyne, in and around the iconic music venue The Sage Gateshead, it promises a selection of the best Americana music in one of the most stunning city locations in the world.

With an incredible FREE outdoor stage bill including among many others, The David Wax Museum, Tom Russell and Polly & The Billets Doux,  cajun suppers with Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys, musical boat trips up the River Tyne, a come-and-sing community gospel choir, film programme and an exclusive exhibition of art work by Jon Langford of The Waco Brothers entitled ‘Nashville Radio’, is there any place you’d rather be this summer than south of the River Tyne?