Bluegrass in Hexham

23/06/2026

🎻 Join our Welcome Jam! 🪕

With just a few weeks to go until the Hexham Bluegrass & Americana Festival, we're looking forward to welcoming some fantastic bands and festival-goers to Hexham.

Before the festival gets underway, why not join us for our Welcome Jam on the Friday evening (24th)?

Whether you're a player, singer, beginner, or simply enjoy bluegrass music, everyone is welcome. We'll be picking and singing some favourite bluegrass standards to get the weekend started in style. 🎶

It's also a great chance to meet other festival-goers, chat with organisers and artists, pick up a printed programme, sign up for free workshops, and enjoy some food and drink.🍟

📍 The Welcome Jam
🗓 Friday 24 July
🕡 From 6.30pm
📌 Upstairs at The Heart of Northumberland
(5 Market Street, Hexham, NE46 3NS)

The Heart of Northumberland is a warm and welcoming pub with excellent food and drink. Bar snacks are available without booking, but if you'd like a meal downstairs, we recommend reserving a table.

The pub is open until 11pm, and if you're feeling energetic, you could also make it along to the Festival Hoedown & Ceilidh at Hexham Community Centre from 7.30pm.

We hope to see you there!

🖊 - Many thanks to Hexham artist and musician Dave Barden for the drawing featured below, created during one of our regular sessions at The Platform Bar at Hexham Railway Station 👇

22/06/2026

Next up in our bandstand spotlight series is...Archie Brown and the Bluegrass Bucks!🎵

Originally formed in the mid-1970s, this Newcastle institution has been a driving force on the North East roots music scene for decades. Known for their dynamic performances and exceptional musicianship, the band will be bringing a specially curated set to the Sele for our audience to enjoy.

📍 Hexham Bluegrass & Americana Festival
📅 25–26 July 2026

17/06/2026

This Friday!!!

Get ready for Hexham’s annual Bluegrass and Americana festival with a special screening of the 1969 counter culture classic - Easy Rider featuring a live pre-film musical performance.

Screening at Forum Cinema Friday June 19th - tickets at forumhexham.com

14/06/2026

Our next bandstand act is...Clark and Zuppardi! 🌟

Clark & Zuppardi brings together two of Norfolk’s most versatile musicians around a shared love of Bluegrass and American roots music. Equally at home ripping up traditional fiddle tunes or adding a tender touch to their own self-penned songs and tunes, the virtuosic mandolin playing of Nic Zuppardi (The Shackleton Trio) combines beautifully with the vocals, guitar and banjo of Adam Clark (Nobodaddy, The Cobbler Bob String Band).

Don't miss your chance to catch this dynamic duo at the bandstand on the Sunday. 🤠🎶

09/06/2026

All welcome at Hexham Bluegrass' monthly session at The Platform Bar, Hexham Train Station tomorrow evening Wednesday 10th. 7-9 pm. and every second Wednesday of the month. Great beer and cake! Thanks Dave Barden for the drawing

09/06/2026

It's time to dust off your dancing shoes! 🤠

Our fabulous Hoe-Down Ceilidh is returning to kick off Hexham Bluegrass and Americana festival in style.

Join your caller Joey Oliver, who will guide you through all the right steps and enjoy music provided by the The Big Diehl band.

Everyone is welcome, no experience needed. So - get ready to grab your partner, swing em round....and also grab a ticket whilst your at it! Details are:

🗓 - Friday 24 July, 7pm (doors open 6:45pm)

📍- Hexham Community Centre (NE46 3NP)

🎟 - Tickets can be purchased from Matthias Winter Eco Home, 15 Hallstile Bank or contact: [email protected]

As the poster says - refreshments will NOT be provided, so please bring along your own snacks and drinks.

We look forward to seeing you there! 🎻🎵

06/06/2026

Say hello to another one of our fantastic bandstand acts - A J Potter and the NE Rails! ⭐

A J Potter and the NE Rails are a folk-rock skiffle band from the Northeast, blending enchanting storytelling with dynamic instrumentation. 🎵

Their sound weaves together rich narrative songs, lively rhythms, and a raw, rootsy energy that is sure to delight our Hexham audience.

You can see A J Potter and his band on the Saturday. To hear what they sound like and find out more about this great local band, check out the link in the comments 👇

04/06/2026

Hexham's very own Forum Cinema is supporting Bluegrass in Hexham. A live performance before one of the most iconic road movies of all time!

Get ready for Hexham’s annual Bluegrass and Americana festival with a special screening of the 1969 counter culture classic - Easy Rider featuring a live pre-film musical performance.

Screening at Forum Cinema Friday June 19th - tickets at forumhexham.com

02/06/2026

Introducing another of our bandstand acts - Hannah Rickard and Kieran Szifris! 🎻

They are a dynamic acoustic duo blending folk, country, bluegrass and contemporary influences into a sound that is both direct and distinctive.

Hannah is known for her powerful voice and expressive fiddle playing, with a strong presence on the Americana, country and rockabilly circuit. Her work has taken her from grassroots roots venues through to major touring projects, including collaborations following her work on Status Quo’s “Aquostic” tours, where she was invited by Francis Rossi to co-write and record an album that went on to reach No.1 in the UK Country Chart.

Kieran is recognised for his distinctive octave mandolin style and his work across leading UK folk projects including Monster Ceilidh Band and Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening. His playing has been described in press as bringing “dark and dirty riffs and rhythms” and a "flamboyant octave mandolin… creating a thrilling frontline of melody and rhythm,” highlighting a style rooted in drive, texture and intensity.

Together, they combine fiery, high-energy songs, stark and emotive ballads, and original instrumental writing. Reviews of Kieran’s playing consistently point to a sound that is rhythmic, atmospheric and physically engaging, forming a strong counterpoint to Hannah’s vocal-led, roots-driven style.

The result is a duo that moves naturally between folk tradition and wider influences drawing from folk, country, jazz, pop and rock shaping them into something immediate, original and unmistakably their own, delivered with charisma, edge and live energy.

They'll be playing on the Saturday - not to be missed!

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