‘Long may the Turnpike Troubadours keep the UK on their touring horizon’. The final line of my 2017 review from the band’s Bristol UK gig almost felt like a curse. What happened next is well documented. At least there is a happy ending and that touring horizon became an experienced reality eight years later. In the aftermath of a successful night at the Institute, a quick recap of the review of the Thekla gig revealed a similar story played out to a packed Birmingham audience. From a dedicated band of fervent followers to a six-piece outfit plying through a continuous set of high octane outlaw country music, the venue sizzled with electricity in a raucous atmosphere of country fans breaking out of the Nashville clique and revelling in the red dirt rawness of Oklahoma.
Evan Felker remains a cool customer holding court effortlessly communicating through vocals and guitar. To his right, outstanding lead guitar playing and the perpetual exchange of banjo, accordion, pedal steel and dobro. To his left, solid bass playing and fiddle constantly lighting up the room. Drums to his rear completed the line up and to his front an adoring audience singing along to loads of catchy chorus numbers.
The tempo change was notable when a couple of songs from the new album were played including 'On the Red River'. Such is the slow reflective poignant drive of PRICE OF ADMISSION it is difficult seeing it dominate a full-on Turnpike Troubadours gig, yet the eminence of these homage songs proved inspiring breathers in a non-stop set running past the hour and half mark.
The focal point of this tour lay 48 hours away and 110 miles down the motorway. It even formed the basis of this three act show that rocked Manchester the night before and was due to reconvene in London the next day. On the bill of the phenomenally popular Zach Bryan’s twin Hyde Park BST London shows were fellow Oklahomans Turnpike Troubadours and fast rising Canadian Noeline Hofmann. The Alberta native was one of two support acts on an evening jumping right out the blocks at 7:30 and finishing just shy of the 11pm curfew.
The opening act had another Zach Bryan connection with his keyboard player JR Carroll reverting to an alternative role of solo singer-songwriter. The early start would have caught out those strolling in for the usual 8pm commencement and a chance to catch an artist marked by Rolling Stone as a solo artist to watch in 2025. He gave an assured performance in a duo format and tried to make connection with a UK audience via an Oasis cover. The jury was out on its effect, though ‘Half a World Away’ is a neat little tune.
Fifteen minutes after Carroll completed his half hour set, it was the turn of Noeline Hofmann to take the stage. It has been a whirlwind experience for a young singer-songwriter plucked from obscurity and engaged in the steepest of learning curves. An opportunity of a lifetime presented itself when Zach Bryan cut a collaborative version of her song ‘Purple Gas’ on a 2024 album. Buckle up for an exciting ride with followers growing exponentially and doors opening on a regular basis. Not many young artists get to play their first shows overseas with a six-piece band and in front of crowds such as Phoenix Park Dublin the previous weekend and the upcoming BST shows in London. Opening for the Turnpike Troubadours was also an honour for an artist inspired by this authentic brand of country music. Growing up in the cattle ranches of Western Canada adds to the narrative and when listening to the limited offerings of the music online you get a feel for what is driving her forward.
The live show is still a developing aspect and playing in the shadows of the Turnpike Troubadours can only help increase the impact of the stage presence. The highlight of her half hour performance came in the last two songs where an added zest accompanied a cover of ‘Big River’ and the finale ‘Sleepless Nights’. Other picks from the set were ‘Lightning in July, Prairie Fire’ opening proceedings and the moment Hofmann and her fiddle player stood alone to deal the ace in the pack ‘Purple Gas’. Perhaps the most informative part of this short European excursion is a debut headline show at The Lexington in London on 1st July. This extended version presents the opportunity to size up an ability to own a room and fill an evening from what presently appears a limited songbook online. Noeline Hofmann is sure to rise to the challenge and a stylish look helps purvey a rack of songs that back up the promise. It wasn’t the last we saw of Hofmann as she was invited back to join in on a version of ‘Long Hot Summer Days’.
This song ranked high among a throng of other tunes adorning Turnpike Troubadours albums for over twenty years. You could choose many as highlights but ‘The Bird Hunters’ was as effective as any opener for honing in on a band’s style and the crowd lapped up old favourites like ‘Good Lord Lorrie’, ‘Gin, Smoke, Lies’ and ‘1968’. Evan Felker appears to be in a good place in 2025 and his band is riding a crest of renewed popularity. The Turnpike Troubadours have always been prominent outsiders, stacking up critical acclaim by the truckload and backing it up via outstanding album releases and a storming live show. Staunchly independent is from where the band fire their shots. They are well-loved far across the US from an Oklahoma base and nights like this expose a keen overseas following. In the words of Felker - 'the band were in their natural habitat tonight'.
To repeat the line from 2017 - ‘Long may the Turnpike Troubadours keep the UK on their touring horizon’. Evan Felker made a promise at the end of this show to return much sooner. The trajectory of Noeline Hofmann suggests she won’t be far behind.
