Taking place from the 29th May – 31st May at the Dukes historic stately home, Euston Hall in acres of stunning British countryside, the Red Rooster Festival brings the Mississippi Delta to Suffolk for three days of mind-blowing of Roots, Blues and Country music!
Louise Phillips speaks to Harry Grafton A.K.A The Rock’n’Roll Duke and rocker Jim Jones about where it all began, the pivotal role that their friendship had in making the Red Rooster Festival a reality, what it takes to create a roots, blues and rock’n’roll festival, touring with the Rolling Stones, being a royal bastard, The Black Crowes and why he decided to bring the Nashville music scene to the UK! Check out the video below:
Despite its huge success, the festival has managed to maintain an intimate feel, a hedonistic bubble where the cool, the kids and the music lovers can enjoy three days of pure escapism together with a stunning line-up!
This years headliners are blues, rock and country legends JD McPherson, Samantha Fish and The Sheepdogs! And of course, rocker Jim Jones will be gracing the stage with his band the All Stars! Jim has recently toured with his friends and fellow rockers, The Black Crowes and is currently recording a new album at Euston Hall with the legendary Crowes frontman Chris Robinson!
Harry is passionate about new music and since the festivals creation, has been travelling the word seeking out lesser known artists to bring to the festival and this year, never one to disappoint, on bill are iconic artists such as Dewolf, Danny & The Champions of The World, The Vegaband, Ghostly Hounds, Twinnie, The Zip Heads, Thee Sinseers and Bonner Black to name just a few!
Back in November, Red Rooster festival shared the first wave of 15 incredible artists set to take our stages, and the response has been phenomenal. If you missed that announcement, you can catch up on all the details HERE.
Some of the bands to watch and information about tickets are below:
The Sheepdogs
Blending Southern country rock, psychedelia, and bluesy swagger, Canada’s Juno Award-winning Sheepdogs have built a rock & roll revival on rich harmonies and dual guitar leads. Since breaking through with their platinum-selling Learn & Burn (2010), they’ve topped the Canadian charts with albums like The Sheepdogs (2012), Future Nostalgia (2015), and Outta Sight (2022). Hailing from Saskatoon, the band—Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen, Sam Corbett, Shamus Currie, and Rick Paquette—has toured relentlessly, earning Platinum hits with “I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good.” Their singles from Outta Sight spent 90 weeks in the Canadian Rock radio top 20, further cementing their status as one of Canada’s premier rock acts.
Willi Carlisle
For country folk singer Willi Carlisle, singing is a form of healing, and through shared song, he believes we can confront suffering and grow in love. His latest album, Critterland, builds on the spirit of his live shows and his previous album, Peculiar, Missouri, transforming its big tent into a vibrant menagerie of eccentric characters and raw truths. A wild, heartfelt journey through the backroads of America and the complexities of human nature, Critterland embraces the beauty, pain, and peculiarities of life with unflinching honesty and communal spirit.
Jontavious Willis
Grammy-nominated bluesman Jontavious Willis is on a mission to revive the spirit of classic Blues, blending his Georgia roots with the rich traditions of Delta, Piedmont, and Texas Blues. With soulful vocals, masterful technique, and a playful energy, he channels the lively juke joints and rent parties of the past, bringing the Blues to new audiences. Raised in rural Georgia, he honed his craft singing Gospel with his grandfather before catching the attention of Taj Mahal, who dubbed him his “Wonderboy.” Since then, Jontavious has toured nationally, captivating crowds with his timeless sound and infectious rhythm.
Early James
Early James is an eccentric troubadour who weaves country storytelling with blues, soul, and rock, creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. His 2020 debut, Singing for My Supper, produced by Dan Auerbach, introduced his unique style, which he refined further on 2022’s Strange Time to Be Alive. His latest release, Medium Raw (2024), finds James and bassist Adrian Marmolejo stripping things back for a soulful, intimate collection of songs.
Gill Landry
Gill Landry, a two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual artist, began his journey as a busker living out of Volkswagens between New Orleans and the Pacific Northwest. His deep immersion in American folk music led him to join Old Crow Medicine Show, where he played through their rise from van tours to Grammy wins and Grand Ole Opry induction. In 2015, he stepped away to focus on his solo career, crafting music that reflects his rich storytelling and artistic vision
Alan Tyler
Alan Tyler is the godfather of the underground UK country scene who first broke through with The Rockingbirds in the early ’90s
New Additions Also Include: BLOODSHOT BILL – TOBY LEE – NAT MYERS – EMILY ZECK – SAVANNAH GARDNER – THE VAGABAND – ALAN POWER – THE FUTURE SHAPE OF SOUND – THE SWAMP STOMP STRING BAND – DOM GLYNN & HIS SUNDAY BEST – CAMILLE RUZ – BONNER BLACK – GEORGIE HUME & THE PITY PARTY – THE GHOSTLY HOUNDS – LUCY KITT – BROOKE LAW – ELLA SPENCER – IRIS FARRER
Highlights from 2024
TICKETS
One of Red Roosters main missions is to keep the festival affordable despite rising costs. It remains one of the most affordable around, with WEEKEND TICKETS priced at just £149.50 plus a booking fee. This includes three nights of camping and free parking. Kids aged 12 and under go free, and teen weekend tickets are only £50 plus a booking fee.
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