Bluegrass band The Often Herd transcends the traditional boundaries of the genre. Although resembling an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, the vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings: the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England.
Rupert Hughes (guitar)
Evan Davies (mandolin)
Niles Krieger (fiddle)
Sam Quintana (bass)
Since the release of their acclaimed debut album ‘Where the Big Lamp Shines’ in 2022, they’ve graced the stages of major festivals including Cambridge Folk, Underneath the Stars, Wickham, Moseley Folk, Folk By The Oak, The Long Road, and many more, with international appearances in Europe and the US.
Their latest single, “Cool Summer Rain” (released May 30, 2025), showcases an evolution in their sound – blending their trademark bluegrass precision with lush West Coast harmonies, folk-pop hooks, and the addition of drums and keyboards. Penned by guitarist Rupert Hughes and inspired by their journey to La Roche, the track has been described as “Billy Strings meets Crosby, Stills and Nash – with a healthy dose of Lindisfarne.” It’s a heartfelt nod to the Tyneside roots scene where the band cut their teeth.
With two new singles planned for release this year and a packed summer ahead – including their debut at Glastonbury Festival, a return to La Roche’s 20th Anniversary, and their first appearance at IBMA in Chattanooga, Tennessee as recipients of the International Band Performance Grant – 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for The Often Herd.
“The band’s sound is influenced by a range of styles, from bluegrass and folk to pop melodies and psychedelia, and the result is fresh, musically layered and absorbing” Americana UK
“An assured debut that should indeed be often heard – let them illuminate your lives.” KLOF
“A winning combination of virtuosity, enthusiasm, willingness to push boundaries and above all, great songs and playing.” Maverick Magazine
“Traditional, inventive, tight and sharp… for those who think they don’t like bluegrass this could be the point they change their minds.” Tom Franks, FolkWords
“A study in virtuosity from a supremely talented group of musicians.” Claire Dupree, NARC
“It’s fabulous, really exciting to listen to. Tight, virtuosic and the kind of thing you just know would be even better live!” Sam Sweeney (Bellowhead/Leveret)
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Tickets £16 full price, £12 or £8 if you prefer. Please pay what you can. Book at wegottickets.com/ashburtonarts (+10% fee) or email
Ym94b2ZmaWNlIHwgYXNoYnVydG9uYXJ0cyAhIG9yZyAhIHVr to reserve and pay on the door.
Ashburton Arts Centre: always three prices – please pay what you can.
See Access, Tickets & Finding Us for more about why there are three ticket prices, plus other useful info about coming to events at Ashburton Arts Centre:
https://ashburtonarts.org.uk/access-booking-tickets-parking-finding-us/
Level access from street
You may also like the following events from Ashburton Arts Centre:
- This Friday, 6th February, 07:30 pm, Sarah Yeo sings the Joan Baez Songbook in Newton Abbot
- Next Monday, 9th February, 07:30 pm, Stephen Grew – Solo Piano in Newton Abbot
- Next Thursday, 12th February, 07:30 pm, Talk: Common People Leah Gordon, Annabel Edwards and Lewis Winks in Newton Abbot
Also check out other
Music events in Newton Abbot,
Entertainment events in Newton Abbot,
Festivals in Newton Abbot.
