Country In The Afternoon Festival
The Blue Highways + The Handlers + Tim Gerard + Emily Faye
Entry Requirements: 18+ after 7pm
Country In The Afternoon returns to the Half Moon Putney on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November 2023 with a superb line-up of talented and exciting artists. Doors open at 12.30pm each day with the first artists taking the stage at 1.00pm. Tickets £18 per day.
A born-and-raised Nashvillian, Cody Pennington is making waves in the UK country music scene. A highly varied and interesting life inspires Cody’s songwriting. From leaving Nashville for the United States Air Force in 2011 to selling out many UK music venues, Cody’s working life is already varied enough to write a full biography. Cody grew up in Nashville, TN where he cut his teeth in the local music scene. He has now performed around the world, having decided it was time to pursue his music full-time. Having recently moved to the UK, his singles, “Downtown” and “How Bout Kentucky”, went straight to No 1 in the iTunes Country Chart.
Raintown, the electrifying duo from Glasgow, are known for shaking up the music scene with their explosive blend of Scottish rock and contemporary country. Boasting an impressive 16 awards and two critically acclaimed albums, with a new one on the way, they're a force to be reckoned with. Their live shows are a feast for the senses, with energetic and charismatic performances that leave audiences delighted and enthralled. They have the rare ability to take you on an emotional journey, soaring high with adrenaline-fueled Country rock riffs, foot-stomping beats, and soaring melodies one moment, only to bring you crashing back to Earth with heart-wrenching, harmony filled ballads and stories woven intricately into their soulful lyrics, the next. Their dynamic sound is a true testament to their exceptional musical talent.
Liam Cromby, former frontman/guitarist of UK melodic rock favourites We Are The Ocean, presents his solo material for the first time. The tracks showcased will be from his upcoming record, ‘What Can You Trust’, which will be released shortly. Liam’s solo material deals with the issues he’s faced since the band split in 2017; having your world fall apart when your career evaporates before your eyes, love lost, love found and faith.
Defector Records artist, Terri Leavey has a voice that needs to be heard. Having first seen her perform a couple of years ago, we have been watching Terri's career develop with great interest. Soon to release her debut single, You Left Me, she is an artist at the start of her musical journey but is well worth discovering now.
The Blue Highways played the very first Country In The Afternoon back in June 2019 and since gone from strength to strength. The London-based band is known for its modern indie/American roots-inspired sound coupled with Callum’s narrative storytelling which “recalls Darkness-era Springsteen” according to Uncut. The band have released their cracking second album “Out On The Line” to widespread critical acclaim. Live, they present a “panoramic conglomeration of rip-roaring vocals over a propulsive wall of sound” according to RnR magazine and are surely set for great heights.
The Handlers craft authentic alt-country Americana music for incorrigible grownups. For Country In The Afternoon, their long-time collaborator and all ‘round multitasker’ Madi Solomon joins them on banjo, piano and accordion, and they’re also mighty pleased to welcome Roy Lowe on drums and Cristiano Pochesci on guitar and pedal steel. Currently working on their next release, due to drop in early 2024, The Handlers’ live performance is sure to impress.
Internationally wrapped with a blues-rock stamp, Tim Gerard brings his constantly evolving rich and soulful sound to the stage. Gerard supports his natural abilities with an unmatched guitar forte and a dynamic vocal range. Drawing upon the great acts that championed the 60s and 70s scene, Gerard performs with an understated passion. Portraying stories of love and loss, ups and downs within the pursuit of meaning, his lyrics are both honest and raw. A candid account of his own experiences and those around him with imagery and rhythmic cadences both familiar and unique.
Emily Faye takes the hearts of country-pop connoisseurs and novices by storm. The UK-based songsmith succeeds at creating pop infused sunny yet sweetly fierce songs that rightfully earned her acclaim from Rolling Stones magazine, being labelled as 'a new country artist you need to know’. Emily Faye is bridging the gap between country and pop with a firm storytelling vision in both her musical beginnings and releases.
Line Up
Formed in early 2018, four piece Americana band The Blue Highways have quickly cemented themselves as a fixture on the Americana scene in the UK. Having built a reputation as a commanding live act driven by big vocals, close harmonies, and narrative led songs, they’ve already supported some of the biggest acts in the genre including Iris Dement at the Sage Gateshead, and Bennett Wilson Poole on their first UK tour.
The band also appeared at numerous festivals over the summer including Summertyne Americana festival, Millport Country Music Festival, Noshville and Wild Tweed and are regulars on the London gigging circuit having recently played with The Fargo Railroad Co, Speedbuggy USA and Matt Woods and the Natural Disasters.
They recently performed at an Under the Apple Tree Showcase curated by Bob Harris, and in April are performing on the first ever Under The Apple Tree Tour in London at the O2 Academy Islington supporting Wildwood Kin, and in early 2019 will be performing a showcase at the Americana Association UK’s festival. Coupled with a new album in the works for a release in early 2019, produced by Chris Clarke (Danny and the Champs), the band is set for another big year.
The Handlers
Tim Gerard
With a voice that will become your latest obsession and lyrics that will journey you through the ups and down of Life, Love and adventure, Emily Faye's music will guarantee you a great day. With a sweet concoction of both Nashville and the English Countryside, her inspiration stems from a love of Country music and a desire to tell her story. 2017 has seen Emily take the UK Country scene by storm with an array of collaborations with the likes of Frankie Davis and Jake Morrell and live shows up and down the country. With her debut E.P recorded earlier this year during a trip to Nashville set to be released later this year, the best is still without doubt yet to come.
