Viv & Riley are back in the UK for a select number of shows this forthcoming May

Viv & Riley’s sound is old-soul roots music at its core, blending a traditional backbone with the melodic pull of future-leaning indie-folk and the tightly woven harmonies of old-time and classic country. Though raised on opposite sides of the US—Riley in Seattle, Washington, and Vivian in Lexington, Virginia—the pair found an instant musical connection when they met in 2018. Since then, they’ve toured extensively across the US, UK, and Canada, earning acclaim from NPR Music, Rolling Stone, and No Depression, alongside nearly six million Spotify streams.

Their latest album, Imaginary People (Free Dirt Records, September 15, 2023), captures Viv & Riley in a period of creative growth. Rooted in folk tradition but reframed through an indie-roots lens, the record pairs bittersweet nostalgia with reflective songwriting that explores adulthood, uncertainty, and creative camaraderie. Produced by Alex Bingham of Hiss Golden Messenger in their adopted home of Durham, North Carolina, the album expands their sound beyond earlier country influences into warmer, more layered and subtly experimental territory.

Balancing preservation and progress has always been central to Viv & Riley’s work—whether through their duo or their roles in award-winning old-time stringband The Onlies. With one foot in tradition and the other stepping forward, they continue to shape the present and future of roots music. This forthcoming May, they’ll bring that evolving sound back to the UK for a select number of live shows.

14/05: Saltaire, UK - The Live Room
16/05: Bristol, UK - Hen & Chicken
19/05: London, UK - Green Note