Events

A foot-stomping double bill of American roots music with a contemporary edge.

Brooklyn combo The Wiyos take a modern spin on American roots music, blending traditional country blues/ragtime with melodic pop and even hip-hop. Following a coast-to-coast US tour supporting Bob Dylan and a memorable appearance alongside Seasick Steve at the BBC’s Folk America concert at the Barbican in 2009, the Wiyos make a triumphant return to London promoting a brand new album Twist.

An original song cycle loosely based on Frank Baums' The Wizard of Oz, and Joseph Campbell's The Hero’s Journey, Twist is simultaneously tear-jerking and intriguing, with hugely-memorable songs backed by grungy harp, crazy steel guitar, rockabilly bass, human beat box and three-part harmonies, all injected with a sense of comic irony and tons of fun.

The sensational New Orleans-based singer Meschiya Lake, crowned as Best Female Performer in the 2011 Big Easy Music Awards is spearheading a revival in swing-dance, lindy-hop and jitterbug music, belting out classics by the likes of Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith alongside richly seasoned originals, at the helm of a pure “essence of the French Quarter” line-up featuring trumpet, trombone, sousaphone, washboard/trap kit and guitar – one of the hottest bands on the circuit.

“Fabulously skilled and inspired kooks” – Los Angeles Times on The Wiyos

‘You’re in for a surprise!’ Seasick Steve on the Wiyos

‘Infused with a sense of salacious mischief.’ Froots on Meschiya Lake

Produced by 2 for the Road Productions in association with Celtic Connections 2012