The Often Herd

Bluegrass band The Often Herd transcend the traditional boundaries of the genre. Although they might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings; the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England.
Since the release of their acclaimed debut album ‘Where the Big Lamp Shines’ in 2022, they’ve graced the stages of major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk, Moseley Folk, Folk By The Oak, The Long Road, and many more, with international appearances in Portugal and France at La Roche Bluegrass Festival’s 20th Anniversary.
Last year saw the group travel to the US for IBMA in Chattanooga, Tennessee as recipients of the International Band Performance Grant. The Often Herd returned across the pond in 2026 for their debut US tour this June & July, including appearances at Grey Fox Bluegrass, Romp Bluegrass and Grand Ole Opry, Nashville. November 2026 will see the group take their music to Scandinavia with concerts in Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark.
Their latest singles, “Cool Summer Rain” (May 2025) and “Remember My Name” (September 2025), showcase an evolution in their sound – blending their trademark bluegrass precision with lush West Coast harmonies, folk-pop hooks, and the addition of drums and keyboards as well guests on banjo and resophonic slide guitar. Penned by guitarist Rupert Hughes and mandolinist Evan Davies respectively, both tracks are inspired by journeys to La Roche in the French Alps and have been described as “Billy Strings meets Crosby, Stills and Nash – with a healthy dose of Lindisfarne.” They are a heartfelt nod to the Tyneside roots scene where the band cut their teeth and the latter was featured on “Whispering” Bob Harris’ Country Show on BBC Radio 2.
The Often Herd’s hotly anticipated second album is in production with the first single expected in Autumn 2026. The new album couples high energy old-time grooves and rocking back-beats with poignant themes such as how modern life connects to Tyneside’s industrial past and our troubled relationship with nature.
“The band’s sound is influenced by a range of styles, from bluegrass and folk to pop melodies and psychedelia, and the result is fresh, musically layered and absorbing” – Americana UK
“Excellent; The Often Herd can stand foursquare with the best outfits from across the Atlantic” – Maverick Magazine
“Traditional, inventive, tight and sharp… for those who think they don’t like bluegrass this could be the point they change their minds.” – Tom Franks, FolkWords