Away from the bright lights of the O2 last weekend, I made my way to the Tin Shed in rural North Wales. Such has been the growth of country music in the UK over the past decade, it is not just the C2C Festival that is now on offer for fans of the genre. And so away from the crowds dressed in Stetsons and cowboy boots, I found myself in a more sedate but no less appreciative atmosphere – among a sell-out audience of some 100 people here to listen attentively to the Jaywalkers.
I have come across this three-piece band before. Their festival appearances always welcome. In an age where pop and rock are often added, to hear the more folk and bluegrass elements brought (and mixed to produce some swing-time fare) was a personal delight. As such, to be graced with a whole evening’s worth was far more joyous than I had anticipated.
The trio seemed to be having fun themselves too. Smiles spread ever more widely across their faces as the night went on. It meant that songs such as ‘Playsuit’ and ‘Whiskies’ became more playful while ‘Leaving Lerwick’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Business’ were light-hearted and unrestrained.
The stories behind the songs, told in a conversational tone between the three, only added to the geniality of the evening. It meant that ‘Gone Forever, with a more serious message, never felt preachy; the frustration of ‘Never Been Played on the Radio’ taken with a pinch of salt.
There was a lovely moment to end – this little crowd singing along to the refrain of ‘December in the Desert’:
“I hope that this year is better than the last”.
I thought about how opposite it was to a full stadium, belting out hits by some of country’s biggest acts in unison, to create a tidal wave of sound, but how, in this more intimate setting, this felt more hopeful; tangible. Perhaps it’s just me, but I find these kinds of gigs far more fulfilling these days. Evidenced by the fact that I have no regrets at missing out on Country’s biggest event. Content, as I drove home through country lanes in the dark, at having listened to the Jaywalkers here instead.
This was written after attending the Jaywalkers show on 14th March 2026 at the Tin Shed in Treuddyn, North Wales. You can find further dates for future shows on their website here.
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