Dreamin' of Nashville @ Dalrymple Hotel

Dreamin’ of Nashville delivered a lively and surprisingly infectious night of country favourites, performed by a UK-based seven‑piece band currently touring the country. Arriving with the expectation of hearing a niche genre, I was instead met with a set list packed with songs far more familiar than anticipated—proof, perhaps, that country music has been receiving increased commercial airplay and slowly weaving its way into mainstream listening habits.

The band showcased an impressive sweep of the country spectrum, moving with ease from Dolly Parton classics through to modern staples by Keith Urban and Zac Brown. While country often conjures images of Stetsons and boots, there were fewer Akubras in the room than expected, though the audience enthusiasm more than compensated for the lack of cowboy attire.

Crowd favourites emerged quickly. Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” had the audience belting out every line, while Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” created an atmosphere that was equal parts pub singalong and Nashville honky‑tonk. The energy remained high throughout, but the final two songs of the night were, for me, the highlights. John Denver’s timeless “Take Me Home, Country Roads” united the whole room in a nostalgic chorus, and the finale—“Wagon Wheel”, that wonderfully tangled “cover of a cover of a cover” famously tracing back to Bob Dylan—sent the night out on a spirited hoedown.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was learning the group wasn’t American at all. On first glance—and certainly based on their musical fluency—you’d be forgiven for assuming they hailed straight from Tennessee. Who would’ve thought the poms loved their country music this much?

While I wouldn’t call myself a dedicated country fan, Dreamin’ of Nashville made it easy to appreciate the genre’s charm, craftsmanship, warm harmonies and broadening appeal. Whether you're a long-time devotee of the genre or simply curious, this is a touring act well worth catching. After all, who can resist a fiddle?