Saddle up and ride into America’s musical heartland for River Town: six weeks of irresistible live roots and country music, born from deep in the American soul, featuring global icons and rising names.
Scroll down to see the line up.
Colston Hall and St George’s Bristol present the fifth edition of the annual celebration of roots and Americana music, bringing the distinctive spirit of its rich tradition to the South West.
Spanning over 6 weeks in June and July, 21 gigs take place in 12 venues, and now across the two River Towns of Bristol and Bath.
River Town delivers its biggest and most diverse line-up to date with an unparalleled programme of country, blues and roots music, performed by global icons and rising names including k.d. Lang, Kiefer Sutherland, Lucinda Williams, The Shires, Jerron ‘Blind Boy’ Paxton, The Mavericks, and lots more.
So pull up a chair and settle in for some whiskey-drenched storytelling one night, and then dance the night away with barn-storming, foot-stomping live music the next: it’s all mined from this rich seam of American music, and it’s all found in River Town.
With 21 gigs to choose from, there’s so many ways to dive into River Town. We’ve picked out a few themes and combos to help you steer your way through the line-up.
Have a look at our guide below to find the perfect combination of gigs at River Town…
Anthemic country stars
The Shires – Tue 9 Jul – St George’s Bristol
Will Hoge* – Wed 10 Jul – The Crofter’s Rights
Kiefer Sutherland* – Mon 22 Jul – SWX
Alt-Country icons
Robert Vincent + Ethan Johns with Black Eyed Dogs* – Thu 13 Jun – Fiddlers
Cowboy Junkies* – Tue 16 Jul – Trinity
k.d lang – Wed 17 Jul – Bath Forum
The Long Ryders* – Sun 21 Jul – Fiddlers
Lucinda Williams* – Sun 28 Jul – O2 Academy
Throwback party starters
The Mavericks* – Thu 20 Jun – Bath Forum
The Hot Sardines* – Tue 16 Jul – St George’s Bristol
J.D. McPherson* – Tue 16 Jul – Fiddlers
Rob Heron & Tea Pad Orchestra* – Fri 19 Jul – Bristol Folk House
Daddy Long Legs* – Thu 25 Jul – The Crofters Rights
Blues & guitar masters
Keb’Mo’ – Mon 1 Jul – St George’s Bristol
Jerron ‘Blind Boy’ Paxton* – Tue 25 Jun – The Winston Theatre
Gwenifer Raymond* – Tue 9 Jul – The Wardrobe Theatre
Roosevelt Collier* – Sat 20 Jul – Bristol Folk House
Heartland Folk
Sam Morrow & William Crighton* – Mon 24 Jun – The Louisiana
Gwenifer Raymond* – Tue 9 Jul – The Wardrobe Theatre
Tim Eriksen & Mama’s Broke* – Mon 22 Jul – The Wardrobe Theatre
Robyn Hitchcock* – Fri 26 Jul – Bristol Folk House
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On Wednesday 23 September 2020 Colston Hall changed its name to Bristol Beacon.
Our new name is just the first step, it is about more than the sign above our door. Click below to find out more about how we’re changing, watch our name announcement, and discover how we want everyone to share in the joy of live music.