Preview

We're absolutely knocked out that the band have decided to extend their European tour by flying in from Holland on the morning of the gig, to fulfil the cancelled October date with us.

Heralded as ‘the greatest blues "find" in recent memory’, Wendell and Sherman Holmes and Willie ‘Popsy’ Dixon have been playing blues, soul, and gospel music for almost 40 years, and performing together for the last 20.

Hailing originally from deepest Virginia, the Holmes Brothers are unaffected by musical trends, and have developed a sound that is at once uniquely their own, and yet clearly displays its blues and gospel roots. Sherman on bass and Popsy on drums lay down a solid-as-a-rock foundation that has players a fraction of their age shaking their heads in envious disbelief, while Wendell contributes hard-driving, eccentric guitar solos. Equally compelling are the 3-part harmonies, which play Wendell’s gruff and gravelly shouts off Popsy’s angelic falsetto and Sherman’s booming baritone, creating an uplifting and joyous fusion. This is a true rarity, a soul harmony group where the three singers are also simultaneously their own backing band.

In recent years, the Holmes Brothers have released five albums which have attracted universal critical acclaim, none more so than their 2001 offering, ‘Speaking in Tongues’, voted Record of the Week in March by the Sunday Times, who proclaimed: ‘their rhythms take over your body, while their voices go straight for your heart’. The band has played to ecstatic audiences in Europe (headlining WOMAD Festivals), USA, Australia, and Africa, recorded with Peter Gabriel and Van Morrison, and even starred in and provided the musical score for the feature film Lotto Land. Their Tregaron booking is a major coup for Cambria Arts, and a capacity crowd is anticipated - so, be wise and book early!

‘Utterly astounding’ - Billboard

‘Mind-blowing ... a true find’ - Boston Globe

‘... infectious energy ... a sixtysomething drummer and bass player locking into a groove that would put kids a third their age to shame’ - Sunday Times

‘Inspired, warm and soulful ... one listen, and you’ll adopt this family as your own’ - Rolling Stone

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