It’s not every day that you get to handpick folks for a songwriters round in your very own personal Honky Tonk bar, but that was exactly the task handed down to us for this year’s Long Road Festival in Leicestershire in the UK last weekend. Outside, a bright, bustling, jovial festival celebrating the awe-inspiring depth and breadth of American roots music from around the globe. Inside? A dark, divey, straight-out-of-Nashville honky tonk — the perfect setting for Rose Cousins, Rhiannon Giddens, Sean McConnell, Jessica Mitchell, Francesco Turrisi, and our host Matt the Electrician to share songs and stories. And laughter. A lot of it!
Check out a few photos from the BGS Songwriters Parlour:
From left to right: Rhiannon Giddens, Sean McConnell, Rose Cousins, Jessica Mitchell, and Matt the Electrician. The BGS Songwriters Parlour.
A rapt, appreciative audience.
Jessica Mitchell steps up to the mic.
Our host, Matt the Electrician, takes a contemplative moment.
They actually built a honky tonk!
Francesco Turrisi, Rhiannon Giddens, and Sean McConnell.
Safe to say, these fine folks and amazing songwriters had a great time. We did too.
All photos: Justine Trickett
