For over two decades, The Hot Seats have earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic and entertaining acts in American and international folk music. Making their return appearance to the Shetland Folk Festival after a 13 year wait, audiences can once again look forward to this genre-blending string band that fuses hard-driving bluegrass, old-time, ragtime, jug blues, and early country music with a distinctly satirical edge and on-stage antics.
Formed in Richmond, VA, in 2002, The Hot Seats bring a high-energy, unpredictable show that’s as much about laughter as it is about music. The Scotsman describes them as “a fun band having fun,” while The Washington Post calls it “old-time music with attitude.”
Originally a group of friends playing a weekly bar gig, The Hot Seats quickly gained a devoted following. Their unique blend of virtuosity and irreverence has taken them from living rooms to major festivals, with highlights including Tønder, Celtic Connections, Floyd Fest, and multiple performances at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they won a Herald Angel Award in 2006. Audiences and critics alike have been captivated by their unique mix of music and charm, with Relix Magazine noting that The Hot Seats “unearth and invent traditional music, twisting it into new concoctions full of virtuosity and reverent irreverence.”
The band’s lineup travelling to Shetland will be founding members Ben Belcher (banjo, bass, fiddle), Josh Bearman (mandolin, banjo, guitar), and Jake Sellers (percussion bass) who are now joined by Rudy Bee (fiddle, tuba, accordion, piano). Together, they bring a mix of musical expertise and infectious humor, delivering shows packed with one-act plays, short films, and absurd theatrics.
BroadwayBaby.com praises their “verve, vigor, and true feel for the roots of their chosen idiom,” while Maverick Magazine celebrates their “astonishing musicianship” and “zany vaudevillian” approach. Whether they’re playing a bluegrass stomp, a soulful ballad, or a satirical skit, The Hot Seats promise an unforgettable experience that has everyone from fans to fellow musicians laughing, clapping, and coming back for more.
If you don’t have a good time when the Hot Seats play, check your pulse. You might be dead.
Chris Bopst (Richmond Times Dispatch)
Find out more at thehotseatsrva.com.
