Ramblin’ Roots: a time of the year when spring gains momentum. A gathering of likeminded music fans bound by a love for something different. An event tightly run offering outstanding quality and kindness to the pocket. A festival not afraid to throw in a few curveballs. A revue where lighter moments jostle with darker songs. You can tell your friends but experience speaks louder than words.
Artists need an audience; an audience needs a performance. A fragile bond without effective organisation. Ramblin’ Roots is strong on all three fronts. The organisers deliver; musicians seize the opportunity; fans reap the rewards.
Country in all its various guises, Americana and roots music can be tough to explain to outsiders. Inside a welcoming wide tent, the converted require no explanation.
Sometimes music only needs a few accompanying words. In the spirit of the Japanese haiku, succinct on the spot reflections from an extensive weekend of superb performances are the flesh of this year's review. Enjoy!
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| Jonny Morgan |
Charismatic act
Blending bass and sax
To connect with folks
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Sorrel Nation
Stylish band panache Adding folk rock aura to Sultry layered songs |
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The Marriage
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Majestic duo
Sharing music and song
Across the border
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Ward Thomas
Sibling harmonies
Presenting bright country pop To keen open ears |
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| Savannah Gardener and the Recovering Good Girls |
Outlaw sass wooing
A party crowd up for a
Friday finale
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| Hannah Scott |
Blissful songwriting
Enabling emotive themes
To reach other hearts
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| Malcolm Charles Moore |
Resourceful singer
Pitching songs to new bodies
Grasping the mantle
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The Rosellys
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Finding a roots seam
Through inspired musicianship
And authentic sounds
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| Jol Rose |
Right out of the blocks
Firing folk shots from the stage
With guitar in hand
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| Ren Harvieu and Romeo Stodart |
Immersive duo
Exude theatrical vibes
Oozing style and craft
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Sarah Jane Scouten
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Talented exile
Melting aching country hearts
With pedal steel tears
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| Peter Bruntnell |
Alt country rocker
Feeding off a top notch band
In time honoured style
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| Elaine Palmer |
Atmospheric roots
From the chimes of twin guitars
Evokes a sweet mood
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Annie Keating
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Band for all seasons
Excelling in unison
Fronted by a star
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| Southern Fold |
Mid tempo rock band
Purveying Kilkenny roots
Gifting rhythmic guile
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| The Dreaming Spires |
Reviving Spires
The supertruth still not found
But boy they’ve got soul
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| The Breeze |
Introspective band
Jamming around the edges
Leaving folks to seek
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| Danny and the Champions of the World |
Born to headline shows
Cutting innovative grooves
Champs for a reason
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| Susannah Clegg |
A voice to die for
Showing our future is safe
In capable hands
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| Katie Whittaker |
Gutsy performer
Using fiddle to great effect
Sharing sincere songs
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| Roseanne Reid |
Quality artist
Bouncing back with song beauty
One to believe in
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| Bobby Lee |
Music to chill to
Three Players finding their groove
Ambience abound
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Trevor Moss & Hannah Lou
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Acoustic delight
Two voices melt into one
Moving when solo
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| Simeon Hammond Dallas |
Sharing joyous flair
Shining a powerful light
Leaving an impact
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| Jerry Leger |
Stylish songwriter
Exploring several themes
Acutely stripped back
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| Rachel Laven |
Lone Star State Ramblin'
Reclaiming country music
Boots and songs to suit
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| Orphan Colours |
Guitars and sax rock
Homegrown Americana
Soundtrack as night falls
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| The Autumn Saints |
Enigmatic front
Stacked with deep dark southern vibes
As alt as you get
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| The Hanging Stars |
Full on charisma
Jangly roots rock bands for life
Fitting finale
If you're still here, thanks for the indulgence. You can't churn hundreds of this stuff out for years without mixing it up from time to time.
That's the wrap on Ramblin' Roots 2025. Twenty nine invited acts and the infamously entertaining Clubhouse All Stars. Anyone up for 2026!
