Vandoliers, Rob Heron And The Tea Pad Orchestra, Cat Clyde to Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival

Rottterdam Bluegrass Festival announces the first names. 

Always a special moment - the real kick-off to the festival buzz. And this year we’re starting strong with six acts right out of the gate: Vandoliers, Bridge City Sinners, Cat Clyde, Truffle Valley Boys, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra and Cat Lee King & His Cocks. 

Vandoliers
The Texas band Vandoliers effortlessly mix roots styles like country, Tex-Mex, folk and blues with high-energy punk. Their new album Life Behind Bars gives a glimpse into the life of frontwoman Jenni (Gin‑ee) Rose and her struggles with addiction and gender dysphoria. Yet the band’s positive energy remains strong, even on the most melancholic tracks. Wherever the Vandoliers go, they spread joy. Needless to say, these six are more than welcome on the Noordplein!

Cat Clyde
Cat Clyde, from rural Ontario, Canada, brings soulful blues and gentle folk with a warm, smoky voice that can be both tender and raw. Her music feels familiar and timeless, with a nod to greats like Patsy Cline, Lead Belly, and Karen Dalton. With her modern approach and poetic songwriting, Cat creates an intimate atmosphere that lingers. Especially live, at the Noordplein, you’ll feel how her music grabs you from the very first note and stays with you long after the show ends

Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra
Back in 2015, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra swept the RBF crowd all over the dance floor with their irresistible mix of rockabilly, blues, country, swing, soul, doo-wop, honky-tonk and more. A lot has happened since: four albums, two EPs and the addition of saxophonist/clarinetist Ben Powling, who brings even more energy to the lively group from Newcastle. Their typically British lyrics and performance, full of dry humour, do the rest.