Fri 8/4 @ 7:30PM
Progressive bluegrass/folk quartet was formed in Northern Ireland by siblings Tabitha (banjo), Benjamin (upright bass) and Reuben (guitar) Agnew, all of whom contribute vocals. Later they were joined by Tabitha’s American husband David Benedict, a condition for her hand in marriage apparently being musical proficiency — and the ensemble definitely need a mandolin for a more bluegrass-y sound! And he was the 2018 winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Award for mandolin.
The ensemble, blending originals written by Rabitha and Reuben with traditional songs performing in their own distinctive style, has built a fan base in Ireland, Europe and the UK. They released their first album Bluebirds in 2016, followed by 2020’s In the Parting and 2021’s Christmas Kin with a new album Why Live Without due later this month.
Get a preview of the new music this weekend at Oberlin’s Riverdog Barn, an ideal setting for this sort of warm, unpretentious acoustic music performed by a family group. Bring a picnic basket and cooler and catch some evening breezes along with a rising young talent on the folk scene. Get tickets here.