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RAPIDGRASS (USA)
You could almost consider them our "house band"... back for the fourth time ! Vertical Divider
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It is no surprise that Rapidgrass and Bluegrass in La Roche have a long and strong relationship. The band are mountain people and their mission is to take inspiration from the mountains and to take their music back to the mountains. They are back once more to play for your 3 times (once as Gypsy Cattle Drive, their French gypsy jazz format), with one major change as fiddle star Coleman Smith has given way to new fiddle player Andy Steiner. Every show will be different and you can expect to hear some great traditional songs, hot country from Willie, Waylon or Johnny and some far out jamgrass and some memorable personal compositions. Always a great, unpredictable and explosive time when they take the stage. And they will certainly make it over to Chamonix while they are here. For this trip they are accompanied by the great Pete Wernick. Mark Morris (guitar) Alex Johnson (mandolin) Andy Reiner (fiddle) Charlie Parker Mertens (bass) Featuring Pete Wernick (banjo) Album : Tanasi (2025)
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PETE WERNICK (USA)
Also known as Dr. Banjo ... Vertical Divider
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Pete, aka Doctor Banjo, is a celebrated artist in modern Bluegrass history having been a member of the legendary Colorado band Hot Rize throughout the 1980s, the first Chairman of the newly formed IBMA from 1986 to 1991, and the creator of the world famous Wernick Method for learning to play Bluegrass in 2010. He is in La Roche for the first time as the banjo instructor with the American team of teachers and will feature with Rapidgrass during their sets during the weekend. |
TANASI (USA)
Bluegrass world music ... 
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Anya Hinkle performed at La Roche with Tellico in 2019, and Billy Cardine and Mary Lucey are well know to us from spells with Rapidgrass and a performance with Lovers Leap, also in 2019. Between them, they have toured the world over, from Japan to India, Nepal to Bali, Brazil to Europe, and across the US and Canada, at major festivals and on stages such as The Ryman Auditorium, The Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. They are joined in La Roche by Andrew Finn Magill, a master composer and fiddler of diverse fiddle styles, including Irish, Brazilian, improvisational jazz, and Appalachian bluegrass and old-time. Anya Hinkle (guitar) Billy Cardine (dobro) Mary Lucey (clawhammer banjo, bass) Andrew Finn Magill (fiddle) Album : Tanasi (2025)
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LA ROCHE BLUEGRASS ALL STAR BAND (EUR)
Put together for our 20th anniversary celebration ... Vertical Divider
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Two decades of Bluegrass in La Roche is more than two decades of beautiful music – it’s also two decades of bringing Europeans together. What better way to celebrate this than to welcome a truly international European all star group to the stage! This year, for one night only, five pickers all from different countries, all festival alumni, join forces on the Bluegrass in La Roche Festival stage. These seasoned musicians bring a wealth of talent and a shared passion for traditional and modern bluegrass. Don't miss this unforgettable 20th-anniversary collaboration! Evan Davies (mandolin - GBR - The Often Herd) Lluís Gómez (banjo, ESP - Barcelona Bluegrass Band) Vladimir Križan (guitar, CZE G-Runs ’n Roses) Pierce Black (bass, IRE - Stereo Naked) Joram Peeters (guitar, NDL - Red Herring) |
WORKSHOP STUDENTS AND TEACHERS (EUR)
After three days of learning ... 
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DELLA MAE (USA)
Girl Power at its best ... Vertical Divider
Photo Laura Schneider
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We loved having Della Mae here in 2019 and are delighted to welcome them back for this special anniversary year, with new members Vickie Vaughan (two time and reigning IBMA bass player of the year) and lead guitarist Avril Smith joining Kimber Ludiker on fiddle and Celia Woodsmith on lead vocals and guitar. Della Mae is a GRAMMY-nominated all-woman string band coming from across North America, and reared in diverse musical styles. They are recognised as one of the most charismatic and engaging roots bands touring today and have traveled to over 30 countries spreading peace and understanding through music. Their mission as a band is to showcase top female musicians, and to improve opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, mentorship, programming, and performance. Celia Woodsmith (guitar and lead vocals) Kimber Ludiker (fiddle) Avril Smith (guitar) Vickie Vaughan (bass) Album : Family Reunion (2021)
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RED WINE (ITA)
Still at the top of their game ... Vertical Divider
Photo Virginia Fragiacomo
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Red Wine have been touring actively since 1978 and remain one of Europe’s premier bluegrass and acoustic music bands. They have performed at just about every celebrated Bluegrass festival in Europe and their performance here at our anniversary event in 2025 will be their fourth at La Roche. Yes, we love them. They have also toured many times in the USA since 1995, also performing at some of the great festivals, including Hardly Strictly (3 years in a row), Greyfox, Wintergrass, Joe Val, Romp and at every IBMA host city (Owensboro, Louisville, Nashville and Raleigh) - winning an IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award in 2023. They also started the Red Wine Bluegrass party in their home town of Genoa in 2009, which they still produce every year with a different theme and a new show for just one performance. They are truly a great band from Europe and every show is a joyous experience. Silvio Ferretti (banjo) Martino Coppo (mandolin) Marco Ferretti (guitar) Lucas Bellotti (bass) Album : New Night Dawning 2024
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LE CHAT MORT (SWE)
Welcome back ... 
Photo Fanny Berglund
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Le Chat Mort is a very popular band in La Roche, having won the contest in 2017, which earned them a trip to Rapidgrass festival in Colorado. But they haven’t been back since 2018 and so we are excited that they have agreed to join us this year. They have a serious love for American roots music — and a habit of stirring it up their own way. Mixing bluegrass, swing, and the joyful spirit of New Orleans blues, they’ve carved out a sound that's both vintage and fresh, playful and deeply groovy. Renowned for their charismatic live act, they've built a solid reputation across Europe and USA. Each of their three albums is a snapshot of their evolving sound, their latest release Malla Walla Dalla (2021), showcases the band's playful yet soulful approach to roots music. Camilla Neideman (lead vocal and drums) Bror David Neideman (banjo) Peter Strömquist (guitar) Matti Friberg (bass) |
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LONG WAY HOME (NL/US)
A duo that became a quintet ... Vertical Divider
Photo Torsten Wettstein
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Long Way Home is a young group fast making a name for itself on both sides of the Atlantic. Based today in the Netherlands and Germany, the band has strong ties in the USA as Owen (NL) and Kylie Kay (US) first met while studying at the Appalachian Music Program in East Tennessee State University. After moving to Ireland they performed as a duo called Long Way Home before moving back to The Netherlands and developing into the 5-piece band of today. Kylie Kay and Owen played as a duo in La Roche on the Town Centre Stage in 2022 and we are happy to bring them back with the full band to showcase their repertoire of honest traditional Bluegrass and some exciting original contemporary songs. Owen Schinkel (dobro) Kylie Kay Anderson (mandolin) Katja Grabe (bass) Lukas Grabe (banjo) Paul Ahrend (guitar) New album to be released in 2026
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G-RUNS 'N ROSES (CZE)
Multi band contests winners ... Vertical Divider
Photo Christopher Schut
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The name may evoke tattoos, leathers, long hair and loud music, but these lads have other aces up their sleeves, as they have shown us with 2 band contest wins here in La Roche. Originally formed in 2006 and after a break during Covid, the band reformed in 2022 with Ralph and Marek being joined by newcomers Vlado, Chris and Peter. They are still young and energetic; they still play original material and covers; they still have a strong focus on solid rhythms, tight vocal harmonies and powerful instrumental playing, all woven into their elegant arrangements. And they still have a deep respect for traditional Bluegrass music. The band members have fun, they play relaxed and have enough space to add their personal touch to the overall sound. They love to share that fun with the audience and we know that you will enjoy the fun with them. Ralph Schut (banjo, guitar) Milan Marek (mandolin) Vladimir Krizan (guitar) Christopher Schut (bass) Peter Burza (fiddle) Album : Gravity 2013
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AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT (USA)
Reaching for the top since their last visit … Vertical Divider
Photo Natia Cinco
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When this band performed at La Roche in 2019, they were young kids emerging in California. Now they are an award-winning band among the most sought after bands in the United States. And for a reason: they are hard working, energetic, charming and technically jaw-dropping musicians that it is very hard not to like. Based in Santa Cruz, California, the group met as teenagers, picking and jamming together as kids at local music festivals and jams until one day, they decided they would be a band. “It was like one of those late at night things,” says band leader AJ Lee. “We were sitting on a trailer at Grass Valley — the annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival held in the Sierra Nevada foothills — and someone said, ‘All of us right here, we're a band now.’ We kind of didn't take it seriously, but we were like, okay, we'll be a band!” If you enjoyed them in 2019, just wait til you see them now. If you missed them in 2019, make sure you don’t do it again ! AJ Lee (mandolin) Sully Tuttle (guitar) Jan Purat (fiddle) Scott Gates (guitar) Sean Newman (bass) Album : City of Glass (2025)
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CRYING UNCLE BLUEGRASS BAND (USA)
From strength to strength … Vertical Divider
Photo Christopher Quale
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When CUBG performed at La Roche in 2022 they were all teenagers out of California about to leave school, and they knocked us all out even then. John Gooding left the band soon after to move east and Ian Ly, 2023 national flatpick champion, joined on guitar. Since then they have gone on to win the IBMA Momentum Band award for emerging artists (2023) and to play at all the major US festivals and share the stage with some of the most famous Bluegrass artists (including Billy Strings and Della Mae together, as witnessed the chairman of Bluegrass in La Roche!). They have also toured Japan and Korea and are now widely recognised around the world as one of the most exciting young bands in acoustic music, playing their own blend of Bluegrass, Dawg music, Jazz and modern originals. When Miles suggested they might like to come back to France, we jumped at the chance to include them in our 25th anniversary celebrations. Teo Quale (mandolin) Miles Quale (fiddle) Andrew Osborne (bass) Ian Ly (guitar) Album : I Still Remember June (2025)
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CURLY STRINGS (EST)
Beautiful Estonian infused Bluegrass ... 
Photo Maris Savik
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One of only two bands playing at La Roche for the first time, we are excited to welcome this wonderful band from Estonia. They have the distinction of being the first band to win the IBMA International Band Performance Grant in 2022, where they blew everyone away with their music that draws much inspiration from their own cultural and musical heritage They became a phenomenon on Estonia in 2013 as a folk music act that went mainstream with national music awards and an album that was at the top of the national charts for over a year. Their unique Baltic take on acoustic music combines the familiar with the unfamiliar, with catchy heartfelt songwriting side-by-side with folk music aesthetics. It makes them an exciting act to watch and to play with. Eeva Talsi (fiddle) Taavet Niller (bass) Peeter Hirtentreu (guitar) Villu Talsi (mandolin) EP “Aeg luua ja lehvida” (2025) ; singles: “Tartu” (2024) & “Õnn” (2023)
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ESTACIÓN 39 (ARG)
All the way from South America ... Vertical Divider
Photo Chino Sircman
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We have been in touch with this band since Covid and decided this year it was time for them to come to Europe. They have been bringing the Appalachian spirit to life in Argentina for some years now, blending country and folk with a vibrant and entertaining sound. They are behind the Buenos Aires Bluegrass Festival and have performed in many of Argentina’s top folk festivals and at iconic venues around Buenos Aires, including at the Night of the Embassies in 2022 at the invitation of the US Embassy. Please give them a warm European welcome here in La Roche-sur-Foron. Matt (guitar) Nuala (fiddle) Juma - (banjo) Dani Boy (mandolin) Iri (bass) Album : Bueons Airers Bluegrass (2022)
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THE OFTEN HERD (GBR)
Bluegrass from the inudstrial north of England ... Vertical Divider
Amelia Read Photography
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Winners of the La Roche band contest in 2018 with a follow up performance in 2019, this band charmed the audience on both occasions with their contemporary Bluegrass that, while it might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, is deeply coloured by their home environment in the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England. They perform regularly at all the major festivals and venues in the United Kingdom and will make their first trip the USA this fall as the latest recipients of the IBMA International Band Performance Grant, which gives them showcase opportunities at World of Bluegrass and a follow up tour in 2026. Congratulations to them and welcome back to La Roche. Rupert Hughes (guitar) Evan Davies (mandolin) Niles Krieger (fiddle) Sam Quintana (bass) Album : Where the Big Lamp Shines (2022)
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GYPSY CATTLE DRIVE (USA)
French inspired Gypsy Jazz by the musicians of Rapidgrass ... Vertical Divider
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This is high octane gypsy swing with rhythms that borrow from Bluegrass, Latin, Western Swing, and Celtic music’s. Inspired by their early visits to France jamming with the local Bluegrass community, the players thrive off natural dynamics and energy while keeping a keen sense of musicianship in every song. The strongest aspect of the unit is their ability to take songs to the limit while exploring rhythms and tones from around the world. It seemed more than appropirate to have them close out or 20th anniversary festival! Mark Morris (guitar) Alex Johnson (mandolin) Andy Reiner (fiddle) harlie Parker Mertens (bass) Album : Turtle Cottage (2023)
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A MURDER IN MISSISSIPPI (BEL)
Back by popular demand ... Vertical Divider
Photo Daphne Matthys
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A Murder in Mississippi wowed our audience on the first visit to La Roche selling almost as many albums as our US acts. The six-piece band from Ghent, Belgium plays Roots music in a wonderful blend of Americana, Country, Folk, Blues and Irish Traditional music. The band members share their passion for music and merge their diverse influences into a wide array of sounds, creating a distinct style and contemporary twist in their repertoire. The soft harmonies and catchy melodies will take you along to the wide North American plains! Leander Vandereecken (guitar) Mirthe Vandereecken (percussion) Lore Heyerick (banjo) Dieter Vanhede (keyboards) Alexandra Van Wesemael (fiddle) Stijn Bontinck (bass) Album : Reverie (2024)
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JOHNNY & THE YOOAHOOS (GER)
A refreshing, modern take on Bluegrass from Germany ... 
Photo Veni Sellner
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A lot has happened since the four boys from “Johnny & the Yooahoos” first took to the stages of southern Germany in 2018. Since then, the combo has been welcomed to festivals in France, Ireland, Holland, Austria and Switzerland and, as winners of the IBMA International Band Grant, will even have a five-week tour of the USA in summer 2025 with renowned venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival on their tour calendar. As far as their music is concerned, the Yooahoos, still playing purely acoustically with three-part vocals, have remained true to themselves: celebrating American folk music in their own way by mixing traditional bluegrass and contemporary folk in an authentic, down-to-earth manner, placing themselves somewhere between urban haze and rural idyll, many tones and indispensable rawness, nostalgia for the past and a look to the future and the here and now. So come, listen and be amazed when "Johnny & the Yooahoos" play! Bernie Huber (guitar) Johnny Schuhbeck (mandolin) Bastian Schuhbeck (banjo) Jonas Kollenda (bass) Album Title : Yooahoo Gospel (2023)
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SUNSHINE IN OHIO (FRA)
A new festival favourite ... Vertical Divider
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This band’s journey to La Roche has been fast and direct: the Street Festival in 2023, the Main Stage in 2024 and a return for our 20th celebration in 2025 — that is how much we and the audience appreciate their interpretation of the music. These musicians give their all to share their joy of Appalachian Mountain Music since they started in 2017, including climbing mountains with instruments on their backs (double bass too!!) to play in shelters. They all sing and they all play — very well. They even swap instruments and switch harmony roles from song to song, making their set into a show where even the audience may be invited to join in and where each moment appeals to the collective imagination and the individual spirit. Johnny Sunshine (guitar, bass) Lorain Ohio (bass, mandolin) Maxime Veslin (fiddle, mandolin, guitar) Mélanie Petrarca (cello) Aurélien Fresneau (fiddle) Coline Rigot (fiddle) Damien Levasseur (lead guitar) Album : The Travelling Show (2025)
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LAZY GRASS (FRA)
Bluegrass and a bit more ... 
Photo by Hélène Lamaison
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After a spectacular début in the Street Festival in 2024, Lazy Grass are straight back onto the Main Stage for our anniversary year. They claim to be a journey, where forest, mountains, rivers and smoke blend together in “a train of notes racing through time and space where woody sounds from the past board the present to invent a bright musical future with explosive and smoky gears.” Lazy Grass’s music is a laboratory where progressive sounds collide, inspired by the energy of rock, the stories of folk music, the warmth of punk and the echoes of psychedelia. It is Bluegrass, and a bit more than that. Laura Petit-Felix (mandolin) Baptiste Desmidt (bass) Victor Elkaim (dobro) Vincent Chaine (banjo) Damien Mélich (guitar) Album : Casse Planche (2024)
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