The Hot Seats in Britain and Ireland, 17 July-3 Aug. 2014

Thanks to Loudon Temple of the UK's Brookfield Knight agency for the news that one of the best US string bands on the circuit, the five-piece Hot Seats from Virginia, will be arriving in these islands in this coming week for their sixth tour, a two-and-a-half-week one that will culminate in three dates in Ireland. They have played major festivals on previous tours of Britain, and will be bringing their brand new album, Grandpa’s favourite - their eighth or tenth, depending on who's counting - which will be officially released on their arrival.

The tour dates begin on 17 July, with shows mostly in Scotland; full details are on their website. Irish fans will have a chance to renew acquaintance with Ben Belcher (second from right in above photo), banjo- and guitar-player with the Corn Potato String Band on their tour in Ireland last month. The three Hot Seats shows in Ireland are as follows:

Sat. 2 Aug.: Seamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, Co. Dublin
Sun. 3 Aug.: Beach House BBQ, Bangor, Co. Down (afternoon); Red Room, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone (evening)

Media presenters who would like to access or download a broadcast-quality copy of Grandpa’s favourite should contact Loudon by e-mail.