British country duo The Shires – Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes – have announced their first full band UK tour in four years, alongside a new album.
The 12-date headline tour will feature the duo performing both fan favorites and new songs from their joyous new album, Bonfire, which celebrates togetherness, escapism, and positivity. The album will be released on LP, CD (including signed formats) and digital on July 3.
Summing up the new album, Ben said: “This is easily the most instinctive album we’ve ever made. Out went overthinking, multiple takes and layers of production. If it was fun, we went with it.”
Sounding as fresh and contemporary as ever, The Shires have shared contagious lead single “Getaway Car”, which captures Bonfire’s escapist nature. A thumping kick drum, upbeat acoustic guitar and simple, sun-seeking lyrics sung wholly in harmony drive you to its instant, air-punching chorus.
From their breakthrough in 2015, The Shires saw records tumble: first British country artists to achieve a UK Top Ten album with debut Brave, the fastest-selling UK country album of all time with follow-up My Universe, the only British act to win a prestigious CMA award. Ahead of their time in many ways, Ben and Crissie not only paved the way for subsequent British country artists but 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.