Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra
We’re delighted to welcome back Rob Heron and The Tea Pad Orchestra who first brought their eclectic mix of Western Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Hokum Blues, Ragtime, Cajun and Country Roots to the Shetland Folk Festival in 2013.
The hot six-piece don’t care what genre you choose to put them in – as long as you understand that they are 100% sincere and immersed in their music. The band are seven years into their remarkable story that began with four friends studying at Newcastle University and now sees them playing venues and festivals across the UK and Europe. Although based in Newcastle, the band members hail from Orkney to Warwickshire and draw on influences from Bob Wills to Django Reinhardt, George Jones to Tom Waits – to create a style and sound that’s utterly their own.
With four albums under their belt, the title of ‘UK Americana Band of the Year’ in 2015 and notable performances at festivals like Glastonbury, Bestival and Cambridge Folk Festival, it’s no wonder they were named “Newcastle’s finest swing-honkytonk-rockabilly band” by fRoots magazine! Their fifth album, ‘Soul of my City’ will be released in February 2019.
Joining Rob Heron (vocals and guitar) is Ben Fitzgerald (guitar), Tom Cronin (mandolin and harmonica), Colin Nicholson (accordion),Ted Harbot (double bass) and Paul Archibald (drums).