DOWN BY THE RIVER #2, first five names announced today

On May 15th locals-by-origin Sedate Bookings and Poppodium Grenswerk welcome you to the sophomore edition Down By The River. Naturally growing from five to about ten bands and two to four stages. First five bands are announced today: The Wood Brothers, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns, Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra, Tiny Legs Tim and The Cannonball Johnsons. More names to follow!

Down By The River is a new roots festival, focusing on renewing roots and alt-country music. It’s name, Down By The River, after the song of Neil Young, comprises the thought behind the festival: flowing like the river Maas, fresh, exploring the sharp edges. Last year during it’s first edition the festival welcomed artists like Hackensaw Boys, Ryley Walker and JP Harris & the Tough Choices. Poppodium Grenswerk is located near the river Maas, which will also be involved in the festival.

The Wood Brothers' sixth album is their most rockin' to date, recorded in the Black Keys' studio in downtown Nashville. And for good reason. For the first time, all three members or this soulful folkrock outfit are currently living in the country capital. It's also their most accomplished work to date.

Hailing from New Orleans, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns take you back to pre-war Louisiana. Ragtime jazz, blues, dixieland, it’s all there. But Meschiya Lake and her fantastic band The Little Big Horns bring it with such charisma and flair that it sounds as a fresh bowl of gumbo, as she has proven many times on several Dutch stages.

Rob Heron & the Tea Pad Orchestra are one of the most tireless bands in the UK roots circuit. The songs are penned by Rob Heron, a crazy fool for country music and a full time dandy-cowboy. Based in Newcastle, UK, they play their own brand of Western Swing, Blues, Gypsy Jazz and Country, or “North Eastern Swing” as they've coined it.

While his name may suggest otherwise, Tiny Legs Tim is a force to be reckoned with. In his songs, this bluesy singer/songwriter from the Belgian town of Ghent dwells about making the move to the big city, while his heart still belongs to the countryside... Tim did an amazing show at the Boogie Brew & BBQ Festival in Venlo last year and we’re glad to welcome him back.

Former street musicians gone full band… The Cannonball Johnsons wear their influences like hearts on their sleeves; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Allman Brothers Band & Hackensaw Boys, the latter which performed at Down By The River last year. These youngsters play a blend of folk music, southern rock and bluegrass which will set the mood perfectly and will jumpstart our festival the right way. 

Down by the River at Poppodium Grenswerk

Sunday May 15th 2016 Tickets: €25 (presale €20) Get them here!