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Founded in 1970 by college friends Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton-Levy, and Bill Nowlin, who shared a love of rural US music and “no record industry experience whatsoever”, Rounder Records is now America’s premier independent label. Its current catalogue of over 3000 titles spans everything from priceless field recordings to the double platinum-selling Alison Krauss – everything, that is, except for cynically manufactured “product”.

Tonight’s celebratory line-up richly exemplifies the top-drawer calibre, artistic commitment and exhilarating diversity of Rounder’s output, none more so than the multi-award-winning Blue Highway, one of today’s most vital, virtuosic, creative and influential bluegrass acts.

Raised on classic bluegrass and Southern gospel, Louisiana native Alecia Nugent is a stunning singer and increasingly accomplished songwriter, equally at home in honky-tonk stompers and heartrending ballads.

Formerly the driving force behind the band Weeping Tile, Toronto folk rocker Sarah Harmer has “a lovely cold-water voice and a knack for calling things as she sees ‘em.” (Rolling Stone)

Completing the line up will be James Hand, one of American music’s secret treasures, having made powerful original Country music for over forty years. His breakthrough came with album, The Truth Will Set You Free, produced by Asleep at the Wheel frontman Ray Benson and legendary Texas producer/multi-instrumentalist Lloyd Maines.

The evening will be hosted by folk icon Linda Thompson.

Tickets:  £19, £16, £14