The HillBenders are bringing their full-length bluegrass version of The Who’s rock opera Tommy to the UK.
After a long wait, the show will arrive this summer following its success in the US. 45 years after its original release, this classic of classic rock has been fully realised as a 75 minute bluegrass show covering the original album from start to finish.
With a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals, Pete Townshend’s original vision is brought to life in a new and exciting way.
“We wanted to pair bluegrass with the other music we grew up with — rock and roll!” says The HillBenders’ Nolan Lawrence.
The full list of dates in July is:
15 – Bristol Americana Weekend
17 – Larmer Tree Festival
20 – Milton Keynes International Festival
21 – London Union Chapel (www.serious.org.uk/tommy)
23 – Gateshead, The Sage SummerTyne Festival
The HillBenders are: Mark Cassidy (banjo), Gary Rea (bass), Jim Rea (guitar), Nolan Lawrence (mandolin) and Chad ‘Gravy Boat’ Graves (dobro). Their album Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry is out now on Compass Records via Proper.
Watch The HillBenders perform Pinball Wizard below:
[brid video=”35569″ player=”531″ title=”Pinball Wizard by The Hilbenders”]
