London Music: Country & Folk

Our Picks

Emmylou Harris (Hammersmith Apollo - 14 September 2008) Perseverance, faith and fortitude: these are the themes Alabama-born Emmylou Harris says form the basis of her 21 studio albums, including her 2008 release All I Intended to Be. The singer-songwriter has collaborated with artists like Linda Ronstadt and Bob Dylan, and at age 61, she's just as entertaining as when she first picked up her guitar.

Ani Difranco (The Forum - 29 October 2008) Known for her heavy-hitting lyrics about subjects like sex and politics, Ani Difranco has never let the music industry rest easy. From age nine, she was performing Beatles covers in New York bars. She now has her own record label with a new album set to drop this 11 September.

Jonathan Coulton (Shepherds Bush Empire - 30 October 2008) This very proud geek used to be a computer programmer, but now he writes songs about sci-fi and bacteria - using accompaniment from the accordion, mandolin and ukulele, naturally. His take on the US president in W's Duty and reflections on Katie Holmes' husband in Tom Cruise Crazy are definitely unique.

Oysterband (The Forum - 12 December 2008) Oysterband deserve respect automatically for collaborating on Farewell to the Crown, the b-side to Chumbawamba's bouncing hit, Tubthumping. These Canterbury folk rockers have played for more than 30 years and are still going strong, with a European tour that finishes in London near year's end.

Country Venues in London

Barbican
Silk EC2, Silk
Barbican/Moorgate Tube

Borderline
Orange Yard, Off Manette St
Tottenham Court Road Tube

Outlaws & Sinners
Ashtons, 194 Cricklewood Broadway, London NW2
Cricklewood Overground (Railtrack)
- Country night with Line Dancing instruction.

Royal Albert Hall
Kensington Gore, SW7
South Kensington Tube

Royal Festival Hall
South Bank, SE1
Embankment Tube

Wembley Arena & Wembley Stadium
Empire Way, Wembley, Middx
Wembley Park Tube