News: Jess And The Bandits Announce Debut Headline Tour
2 min read
(UK) After a #6 UK Official Country Chart debut for their album Here We Go Again, 1/5 Texan & 4/5 British Country group Jess and the Bandits announce UK tour.
Though somewhat atypical for a group rooted in country to find success in the UK, it is par for the course when it comes to the unlikely group Jess and the Bandits. The Bandits met Texan favourite Jessica Clemmons, the opening act, during a 2012 tour while playing with The Overtones and instantly bonded over their mutual love of Country Music. As they began to play together more and more, it became painstakingly clear that their chemistry was flawless.
Thus, Jess and the Bandits were born.
Made up of brothers Ricci and Louis Riccardi on drums and guitar respectively, Dave Troke on bass, Steven Reid Williams on keyboards/guitar and of course Jessica Clemmons on vocals, each member of the Bandits brings with them a storied history of country creativity. Influenced by their musician father, brothers Ricci and Louis Riccardi were playing Country and Blues music from a very early age.
Far from home, Jessica Clemmons hails from Houston, Texas, however UK audiences have fallen for her soulful and passionate work so much that she’s become something of an honorary Brit. The country singer got her foot firmly in the door whilst wowing arena audiences on Boyzone’s BZ20 tour, and on other outings from the Overtones to the Stylistics. Jess graced the BBC Radio 2 playlist last year with ‘Single Tonight’ and sent social media into a spin when she performed her show-stopping female take on ‘Wichita Lineman’ on Terry Wogan’s Sunday morning show.
The band spent the majority of 2014 on the road, with performances at Country 2 Country, as well as The Isle Of Wight Festival and a support tour with Pete Molinari. Later in the year Jess re-joined her co-writing team in Nashville including Jeff Cohen (The Band Perry, Sugarland), James T. Slater (My Daughters Eyes’), Brian White (Rascal Flatts) and producer Larry Beaird (Dolly Parton, Faith Hill). These Country credentials are especially displayed on the group’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Here We Go Again’ which debuted at #6 on the UK’s Official Country Chart.
TOUR DATES:
11th July – Cornbury Festival
13th July – Robin Park, Wigan
18th July – SummerTyne Festival (co-headline show with Callaghan)
25th July – Ramblin Man Festival
16th October – FSA Fest, Preston
27th October – Louisiana, Bristol
28th October – Borderline, London
29th October – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
30th October – Gullivers, Manchester
21st November – Plus Size Fashion Awards, London
For more information click here.
