The County Affair have confirmed they will be supporting Ward Thomas on their upcoming tour after the recent release of debut album Off The Grid.
The duo will perform at dates supporting Ward Thomas around the UK including a Liverpool gig at Grand Central and Manchester gig at the RNCM. Ward Thomas’ acoustic Invitation Tour now includes a series of additional dates, making 21 shows in total.
The release of Off The Grid and upcoming tour dates come after childhood best friends Kevin Brennan and Tony Regan regrouped after 30 years to form The County Affair. The duo have built their sound on their early love for country, Americana and blues. They are influenced by the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle and Joe Ely as well as more recent artists like Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton.
As the duo stepped in to the studio to record professionally for the first time, they came with a clear vision – strongly guitar led arrangements, piano and toe-tapping rums with the rich sounds of Hammond organ and accordion. The album finds The County Affair embracing strong storytelling of navigating life and the experiences of those around them. As Tony explains, “Kevin’s songs are like mini screenplays. Stories that anyone can relate to. It’s like in the advertising business where you have storyboards… you can almost see the songs as mini movies.”
The album was written over a two year period, but draws on decades of experience.
On joining Ward Thomas on their UK tour, Kevin said, “It took a 40 year gap to get us hungry again for a musical career. Having taken the plunge we can’t wait to get out on the road touring. We feel we have carved out a unique Americana sound for ourselves and just want to get out playing to as many people as we can.”
When do Ward Thomas headline at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music and Liverpool’s Grand Central?
Ward Thomas headline at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music on 12 November 2021 and Liverpool’s Grand Central on 11 November 2021. They are joined by The County Affair and Dan Owen. The Manchester and Liverpool gigs are two of 21 shows they are performing on their Invitation acoustic tour:
1 November – Bournemouth, O2 Academy
2 November – Bath, Forum
3 November – Leamington, Assembly
5 November – Barrow, Forum
6 November – Lincoln, Engine Shed
7 November – Southend, Palace Theatre
8 November – Norwich, Epic Studios
10 November – Leeds, City Varieties
11 November – Liverpool, Grand Central
12 November – Manchester, RNCM
14 November – Woking, New Victoria Theatre
15 November – Stroud, Sub Room
16 November – Edinburgh, Queen’s Hall
17 November – Glasgow, Mackintosh Church
18 November – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree
24 November – Rhyl, Pavilion Theatre
25 November – Swansea, Brangwyn Hall
26 November – Ashford, Revelation
27 November – Brighton, St Georges
29 November – London, Union Chapel
30 November – London, Union Chapel
