A Little History:
Rothbury Roots began in September 2001 when Bill Brown & Terry Wilson, the licensees of Rothbury’s Queens Head Hotel , invited a group of local musicians and enthusiasts (including local resident Lindisfarne guitarist Rod Clements ) to set up a series of live music nights. Since then Rothbury Roots went on to establish itself as one of Northumberland’s most popular live music venues, presenting folk, blues, country, jazz and contemporary singer-songwriters in a friendly, intimate setting.
From the start of 2006 it was run by local residents Kevin Roberts and Andy Heywood. Kevin’s role was taken on by Andy Craig in 2012. All the people involved are music-lovers whose passion for bringing top quality live music to Rothbury ensures that Roots remains in the forefront of acoustic music in Northumberland.
Artists appearing have included Billy Mitchell, The Coal Porters, Boo Hewerdine, Megson, Jez Lowe, Gilmore & Roberts, Brooks Williams, Bob Fox, Rod Clements and many other well-known and up-and-coming performers from as far a field as Australia, France and the USA. Local artists are also featured.
Rothbury Roots was always non-profit making with door takings being recycled to cover artists’ fees and technical and promotional expenses.
Rothbury Roots always prided itself on offering a “quiet room” listening environment, which was much enjoyed by the artists and audience alike. In order to keep that special atmosphere, Rothbury Roots has now gone “free range” as of 2019 and will be putting on roots and acoustic music gigs across Northumberland under the new name of Northumberland Roots