Country in the afternoon
Country in the afternoon
A twice-yearly mini festival of Country and Americana music held at The Half Moon in Putney
Starting in mid-2019 and taking place twice yearly since (barring the interruption in 2020), Country In The Afternoon presents a cross-section of country and americana artists in the iconic venue that is The Half Moon in Lower Richmond Road in Putney.
Each weekend features eight international and UK artists ranging from solo acoustic singer-songwriters to full bands which means that every edition has its own personality while consistently maintaining really high standards of musicianship, songs and performance. Four artist plays 35-45 minute sets from 1pm until 5pm on each of the Saturday and Sunday afternoons. What a great way to spend a weekend afternoon!
Many of the international artists played London for the first time at Country In The Afternoon, while the UK artists come from all four corners of the nation: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England have all been represented in the line-ups over the years. Regardless of where they have come from, every artist to date has delivered great music and great performances to appreciative audiences. Whether it has been the Texas boogie of Jesse Dayton, the classic country crooning of William Michael Morgan, the rocking americana of Morganway or the sophisticated country-pop of Alyssa Bonagura, audiences have had a great time at Country In The Afternoon. Excellent food and drink are also available in the pub and beer garden adjoining the venue.
Here is the line-up for the November 23 edition of Country In The Afternoon:
Saturday 11th November
A born-and-raised Nashvillian, Cody Pennington is making waves in the UK country music scene, having performed around the world, after deciding to pursue his music full-time. Having recently moved to the UK, his recent singles 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. Liam Cromby, former frontman/guitarist of UK melodic rock favourites We Are The Ocean, presents his solo material for the first time from his new record, ‘What Can You Trust’. 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. Terri Leavey has a voice that needs to be heard. 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.
Sunday 12th November
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 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 CITA, the five piece outfit will demonstrate their skills on vocals, banjo, piano, accordion, drums, guitar and pedal steel. Currently working on their next release, due in early 2024, The Handlers’s 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 and performs with an understated passion, portraying a candid account of his own experiences and those around him with imagery and rhythmic cadences both familiar and unique. Emily Faye succeeds at creating pop-infused sunny yet sweetly fierce songs that rightfully earned her acclaim from Rolling Stone 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.
Cumbrae Promotions are already working on the 2024 editions, determined to bring more great artists to SW15.
Tickets are available at tickets.halfmoon.co.uk
