News

KKB 2011 Tour in France

Posted September 26, 2011

Kathy, Tom, Annie, Dan, and Greg had a wonderful week or so in France during August. They played two festivals -- the Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Craponne sur Arzon, and the La Roche Bluegrass Festival in La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute Savoie, as well as a concert in Evian-les-Bains (source of the famous designer water). They're most grateful to Christopher Howard-Williams in La Roche and Georges Carrier in Craponne for making this possible -- and for providing so much assistance and hospitality.

The Country Rendez-Vous Festival is a big one, partly because the focus is divided between country and bluegrass. There were more than 30,000 in attendance over the three days, with an audience estimated at around 12,000 during the KKB set. As you can see from the photos, the stage was huge and the video images behind the band threatened to overwhelm them. Despite the searing sun (nice shades) and oversized venue, the sound was great and the band went over very well.                                          

La Roche is cozier -- probably 4-5,000 were there for the KKB set -- but is emerging as one of Europe's premier bluegrass-only festivals. The KKB were joined on stage by mandolinist Martino Coppo (from the band Red Wine) who toured with them for three weeks last year. That was icing on the cake, and made the crowd nearly as excited as the band. The next day, the mayor of La Roche presented the band with the city's seal (perhaps they ran out of keys) at a charming ceremony in the town hall.

The concert at Evian also drew a big crowd -- more than 2,000, according to organizers -- and the lakeside setting and tour of a medieval town earlier in the day (along with the usual exceptional meal) had the band playing great. There were no photos taken here, but we'll post 'em if any come our way.

During the last two years, the KKB has had the great good fortune to play a number of shows in Europe, and the response has been remarkable. There have been several pleas for the band to return and digits are crossed that it can happen again.