RISING bluegrass stars Flats & Sharps are bringing their vocal harmonies and boundless energy to rural Dorset next month.

Hailing from Cornwall, the band blurs the lines between bluegrass, folk, country and pop, and are rapidly gaining national recognition for performing an impressive collection of their own highly original songs combined with renditions of bluegrass classics.

Starting off as teenage buskers in Penzance, these five incredible young musicians have honed their skills in more than 350 live performances over the last five years, charming and wowing audiences along the way.

Their unique stage presence mixes musical expertise with boundless energy and a contagious enthusiasm for their genre, and this has led to countless festival appearances including Isle of Wight, Wesport Folk and Bluegrass and Bestival.

In 2015 the band also performed at the Royal Albert Hall as finalists in the Music for Youth competition run by Classic FM, and their performance at Proms in Hyde Park was recorded for broadcast on Bob Harris’ BBC Radio 2 Country show.

Released over the summer, their latest album entitled King of My Mind breaks new ground instrumentally and features guest performances from BJ Cole on Pedal Steel and a duet featuring emerging singer-songwriter emae.

Flats & Sharps are set to tour rural Dorset this November as part of the Artsreach autumn programme, which is been sponsored by local solicitors Blanchards Bailey.

Yvonne Gallimore, Artsreach co-director said: “Lots of villages across the county wanted to host this young and exciting band, and we can’t wait to welcome them to Dorset.

"Their vocal harmonies are just brilliant and the energy they bring will really create a special atmosphere in our intimate venues."

Expect rapid-fire banjo, mandolin and fiddle, with acoustic guitar and double bass all supported by sumptuous vocals and harmonies.

Flats & Sharps' first performance will be at Sandford Orcas Village Hall on Thursday November 10 at 7.30pm. Call 01963 220208 for tickets.

The next gig is at Powerstock Hut at 7.30pm on Friday November 11. Call 01308 485264 for tickets.

They perform at 7.30pm at Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall on Saturday November 12. Call 01258 857447 for tickets.

On Sunday November 13 they perform at Studland Village Hall at 7:30pm. Call 01929 450204 for tickets.

See artsreach.co.uk for more information.

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