Watch video for “Bonfire Song”
UK Headline Tour Kicks Off in November
Summer Festival Appearances in July and August
“Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes have won a place among Nashville greats and this, their first album in four years, looks set to cement their place” – Record Collector
“There is a playfulness to Bonfire which hasn’t always been evident” … “particularly the flirty Watching You, Watching Me and tongue-in-cheek Hypocrite, which should see The Shires reclaim their top country spot yet again..” – Mojo
Pioneering British country duo The Shires – Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – have today released their sixth studio album, Bonfire, via Blue Highway Records. A sonic celebration of togetherness, escapism and positivity and their first LP in four years, Bonfire is available on LP, CD (including signed formats) and digital.
Purchase HERE.
The chart-topping duo have shared a charming music video for the irresistibly catchy album track “Bonfire Song,” featuring a playful performance of the song for their families, alongside live, onstage footage.
Watch HERE.
Speaking about the album, Ben says “Bonfire really feels like starting all over again for us. There’s a freshness to the sound, inspired hugely by touring around the UK in 2024 and 2025. In between shows we’d get into the studio and record. It’s been such a fun process, and we’ve felt so much freedom making it. You can definitely feel that in the album and we’re so excited it’s finally out in the world.”
“Getaway Car,” the lead single from Bonfire, made country music history when it became the first track by British artists to top the Official UK Country Radio Airplay Chart on Sunday 12 April.
From their breakthrough in 2015, The Shires have seen records tumble. They became the first British country artists to achieve a UK Top Ten album with their debut Brave, delivered the fastest-selling UK country album of all time with follow-up My Universe, and became the only British act to win a prestigious CMA Award. Ahead of their time in many ways, Ben and Crissie have not only paved the way for subsequent British country artists, but they’ve also previewed the current golden age in popularity of country music in the UK. They have maintained an enviable reputation at the forefront of the genre and couldn’t be happier to be back with new music to share.
The Shires Summer Festivals:
Sun 26 July – Melbourne Hall, Derby
Fri 28 August – The Long Road Festival, Leicestershire
The Shires November UK full band headline tour:
Tues 3 Nov – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Thu 5 Nov – Gateshead Glasshouse
Fri 6 Nov – York Barbican
Sun 8 Nov – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Mon 9 Nov – Birmingham Symphony Hall
Wed 11 Nov – London Palladium
Thu 12 Nov – Brighton Dome
Sat 14 Nov – Ipswich Regent Theatre
Sun 15 Nov – Poole Lighthouse
Mon 16 Nov – Swansea Building Society Arena
Wed 18 Nov – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Thu 19 Nov – Bedford Corn Exchange
Fri 20 Nov – Bristol Beacon
Purchase tickets HERE
FULL DETAILS OF ALL UK TOUR DATES ARE ON THE COUNTRY LOWDOWN GIG GUIDE
