Llangwm Welcomes Two Acclaimed Musical Duos for Intimate Spring Performances
This spring, the village of Llangwm is set to host two powerhouse musical duos for a series of intimate, "super-deluxe" concerts that seamlessly bridge deep-rooted tradition with contemporary songwriting. The events feature The Horsenecks and the pairing of Chris Coole and John Showman, offering audiences a unique blend of Appalachian fiddle, banjo music, bluegrass, and original folk compositions.
The Horsenecks: A Fusion of Old-Time and Modern Sounds
Performance Details: The Horsenecks will take the stage on Friday, April 3, at St Jerome’s Church, located on The Green in Llangwm, SA62. Doors open at 7pm, with the show beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £14.50, and reservations can be made by calling 07496698724.
The Horsenecks consist of multi-instrumentalists Gabrielle Macrae and Barry Southern, based in Astoria, Oregon. Their sound is a rich tapestry woven from Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, country, classic bluegrass, and original folk influences. Gabrielle's fiddle style is deeply rooted in the Old Time music scene of Portland, Oregon, enriched by years of travel to festivals across the Southeastern United States, where she learned from some of the genre's greatest players. Today, she combines her traditional background with modern influences to create a catalogue of songs that reflect the evolving story of traditional music.
Barry Southern brings over 20 years of experience from Liverpool's vibrant music scene, where he has played lead guitar with cult heroes Tramp Attack and contributed to the UK Old Time and Bluegrass community. His banjo and guitar playing ranges from thrilling high-octane performances to moody and captivating melodies, showcasing versatility in flatpicking, clawhammer, and three-finger banjo techniques. Together, The Horsenecks create a distinctive sound that defies simple categorization, with powerful harmony singing at its core. They have toured extensively, appeared at major festivals in the USA and the UK, and released four critically acclaimed studio albums, setting a new standard in today's traditional music scene.
Chris Coole and John Showman: A Deep Musical Bond
Performance Details: Chris Coole and John Showman will perform on Thursday, May 7, also at St Jerome’s Church in Llangwm. Doors open at 7pm, with the show starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14.50, and reservations can be made by calling 07496698724.
Through two decades and thousands of shows together in bands like The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole have developed a profound and instinctual musical connection. Their music occupies a unique space on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk, featuring songs from legends such as John Hartford, Hank Williams, Dock Boggs, and The Band, alongside fiddle tunes from Eck Robertson and Ed Haley. The duo's original compositions draw from these diverse influences, creating something both personal and timely.
They have performed across North America and Europe at prestigious festivals including Merlefest, Rockygrass, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Mariposa, Wintergrass, Gooikroots, and The John Hartford Memorial Festival. In 2022, they released two acclaimed albums: Afield and Much Further Out than Inevitable – A Tribute to Some Music of John Hartford. Critics have praised John Showman as "one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada" by Steve Pritchard of CIUT 89.5 FM, while Roddy Campbell of Penguin Eggs Magazine notes that Chris Coole, renowned for his clawhammer banjo picking, "now establishes himself as a gripping songwriter."
These spring concerts in Llangwm offer a rare opportunity to experience world-class traditional and folk music in an intimate setting, highlighting the village's growing reputation as a cultural hub for live performances.
