THE SHIRES
New Album Bonfire out July 3
First Single “Getaway Car” Out Now
UK Headline Tour Announced for November
Credit: Bethan Miller
Pioneering British country duo The Shires – Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – return with their first album in four years, Bonfire, a joyous celebration of togetherness, escapism and positivity. Bonfire will be released on LP, CD (including signed formats) and digital on July 3. Pre-order HERE.
Summing up the new album, Ben said: “This is easily the most instinctive album we’ve ever made. Out went overthinking, multiple takes and layers of production. If it was fun, we went with it.”
Sounding as fresh and contemporary as ever, The Shires have shared contagious lead single “Getaway Car”, out today, which captures Bonfire’s escapist nature. A thumping kick drum, upbeat acoustic guitar and simple, sun-seeking lyrics sung wholly in harmony drive you to its instant, air-punching chorus. Listen HERE.
Crissie commented on the new single: ““Getaway Car” is about that one person who can take the wheel when life gets hard to navigate. It’s a foot stompin’, hand clappin’ festival sing-along song and a fresh new sound of The Shires!”
The Shires are appearing at C2C Festival (London) today, opening brand new stage The Yard and hosting the Spotlight Stage, and take to the road in November for a 12-date headline tour playing major venues across the UK. Full details below.
From their breakthrough in 2015, The Shires saw records tumble: first British country artists to achieve a UK Top Ten album with debut Brave, the fastest-selling UK country album of all time with follow-up My Universe, the only British act to win a prestigious CMA award. Ahead of their time in many ways, Ben and Crissie not only paved the way for subsequent British country artists but also previewed the current golden age in popularity of country music in the UK. They have maintained an enviable reputation at the forefront of the genre and couldn’t be happier to be back with new music to share.
The Shires November UK headline tour:
Tues 3 Nov – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thu 5 Nov – Gateshead Glasshouse
Fri 6 Nov – York Barbican
Sun 8 Nov – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Mon 9 Nov – Birmingham Symphony Hall
Wed 11 Nov – London Palladium
Thu 12 Nov – Brighton Dome
Sat 14 Nov – Ipswich Regent Theatre
Sun 15 Nov – Poole Lighthouse
Mon 16 Nov – Swansea Building Society Arena
Wed 18 Nov – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Thu 19 Nov – Bedford Corn Exchange
Fri 20 Nov – Bristol Beacon
Purchase tickets HERE
Credit: Bethan Miller
