Parker Barrow / Foxlowe Arts Centre / Leek
A first trip across the midlands and to the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek to catch Nashville southern rockers Raker Barrow on their 2026 ‘Hold the Mash’ UK tour. They actually played closer to home last night in Sheffield, but with other commitments I ventured further afield for what promised to be a cracking night.
I was trying so hard not to raise my expectations too highly, but everyone I’ve mentioned that was going to see them said what an incredible band they were. Not just great musicians, not just great performers, but amazing people as well.
Lets find out…..
First up in support is a short set from British Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Georgia Nevada. A frequent visit or to the top of the iTunes number 1 artist, Georgia is rapidly building a reputation on the UK’s Country Rock scene. Her debut album “Backfire” came out earlier this year.
She opened the set with the title track The Brigght Side of the Dark from her 2024 EP and what struck me immediately was her vocals. A powerful voice and a great style of storytelling in her lyrics, her sound reminded me somewhat of Kezia Gill. Her tone was dynamic and powerful filling the long hall with sound.
Backed up by Edd Robinson on electric guitar she blends Country, Rock and Blues effortlessly right from the off. The setlist is almost all from her new album but half way through she performs Dear Dad a track she wrote following the loss of her father only a couple of months ago. With it being the last night of the tour, she had decided to sing it and share it with us, and the song itself, and it’s delivery are simply stunning. You can almost feel the emotion.
The storytelling in her lyrics works so well, with My Home Too about living in the same area and performing a show where she sees an ex, following a break up. Then there’s Cookie Cutter that takes a swipe at the misogynistic behaviours and practices that still exist in the music industry.
Georgia ends the set with a cover of the 4 Non Blondes hit, What’s Going On which goes down a treat with the Staffordshire crowd.
A thoroughly enjoyable set, Georgia is, I am sure, set for greater things.
Setlist
The Bright Side of the Dark
Pink Cadillac (Backfire 2026)
Guilty (Backfire 2026)
My Home Too (Backfire 2026)
Cookie Cutter (Backfire 2026)
Dear Dad
Work with Me (Backfire 2026)
What's Going On (4 Non Blondes cover)
A quick changeround and it’s time for tonight’s headliners Parker Barrow, all the way from Nashville Tennessee. Formed by husband and wife pair Megan Kane (vocals) and Dylan Turner (drums), they soon added Alex Bender on guitar and as Musical Director. They are joined live by Will Tipton (guitar), Kyle Priber (Bass) and Eric Safka (Keyboards).
Parker Barrow released their debut album “Jukebox Gypsies” in 2023 and just recently, their follow up “Hold the Mash”. As you’d expect, with a new album only just out, most of tonight’s setlist comes from the new album, with a couple of older songs from “Jukebox Gypsies” thrown in for good measure.
The stage at the Foxlowe Arts Centre isn’t huge, and all six of them rush out and find their places. They dive right in with Nothin' Left to Save from 2026’s “Hold the Mash 2026” and the scene is set immediately….. We’re faced with an onslaught of ‘70’s inspired blues country rock of the finest order, delivered by a band that have all, just prior to coming on stage, someone’s wound up their clockwork mechanisms to the max ! Parker Barrow are mesmerising to watch. Not only are they all consummate, fine musicians in their own rights, but their enthusiasm, and energy is simply off the scale.
Especially Megan, who dances around the stage non-stop throughout the whole set, with the biggest, broadest grin you’ll ever see. And that’s what strikes you the most about Parker Barrow, a band, where everyone is loving being up on stage, doing just what comes naturally. They follow that up with two more tracks from the new album in Blinded and Novocaine.
The pace of the show is relentless and half way through the band heads off the stage or to the edge to take a breather while Dylan delivers a long, and technically sumptuous drum solo, packed with different styles, tempo changes and techniques, it is a joy to behold. The rest of the band seemed to stand staring in awe, and I can’t remember the last time I saw, or enjoyed a good old fashioned drum solo. Cracking !
During The Healer Alex appeared to trip on stage and recovered gracefully, and not long after Megan almost did the same on a guitar cord. Then a pair of chairs were lifted onto the stage for them to sit on. In my head I was giggling thinking someone thought it safer they sit down for a bit before someone got hurt lol, but no, it was for the performance of first Olivia Lane and then Ruby's Reckoning. Alex putting down the Gibson Les Paul Standard for a while and picking up an acoustic. It’s during this more intimate section of the show, we fully got to understand the power and beauty of Megan’s voice. Her tone is perfection and at one point she drops the mic and continues a note, and its as if she just didn’t need a mic… no drop in sound or quality !
Having made sure they had had a rest and were safe on their feet (lol) the set started to draw to a close, with Count Your Dollars from the first album, from the first album during which we are entertained by impromptu solos’ from each remaining band member, except for Kyle on bass. Eric on keys impressing as well as guitarist Will. Megan steps behind the drum kit with husband Dylan and initially on tamborine, soon picks up a drum stick and helps him on the drum beats, so ferosiously, she breaks the stick lol.
Alex and Will see to bounce off each other, and spar all night to out perform each other with the riffs, and neither disappoints ! The set ends with Make It and following log cheers and shouts they returned for a one song encore. Now it’s Kyle’s time to shine and he also delivers an incredible bass solo.
That huge grin on Megan’s face is still there as they take their bows. All the band members head straight down into the crowd to chat, laugh, and interact with their fans.
I can’t quite remember the last time I walked out of a show with a big grin on my stupid face, but I was tonight. Parker Barrow are all fine musicians, who write incredible songs and are top top people to boot ! It’s the kind of show every music fan, regardless of your usual tastes should experience once.
Setlist
Nothin' Left to Save (Hold the Mash 2026)
Blinded (Hold the Mash 2026)
Novocaine (Hold the Mash 2026)
Throwin' Stones (Jukebox Gypsies 2023)
The Healer (Hold the Mash 2026)
Olivia Lane (Hold the Mash 2026)
Ruby's Reckoning (Hold the Mash 2026)
Count Your Dollars (Jukebox Gypsies 2023)
Glass Eyes Cryin' (Hold the Mash 2026)
Make It (Hold the Mash 2026)
Encore:
My Morning Song (The Black Crowes cover)
And on that note, don’t forget they’re back in the UK in Nov/Dec for another round of shows…… I can’t wait !
