Imagine your favorite death-metal band going full-on bluegrass - that’s the sound of Bridge City Sinners. Punk as hell, roots as deep as the Pacific Northwest. This fiery acoustic five-piece has been on our wishlist for a while, and we’re pretty sure we’re not the only ones. Attentive and frequent RBF-goers might have spotted one of the band members in 2025: fiddler Lightnin’ Luke made a guest appearance during The Devil Makes Three’s show. Now he’s back in Rotterdam with his own band, alongside frontwoman Libby Lux (vocals/banjolele), Michael Sinner (dobro/vocals), Clyde McGee (banjo/vocals) and Scott Michaud (double bass/vocals).

In a revolutionary, completely DIY way, Bridge City Sinners have found the perfect balance between authentic genres like folk, bluegrass, and depression-era jazz on one side, and punk, metal, and hardcore on the other. They never fall into clichés, and they resist the urge to overuse big guns like distorted guitars or double-bass drum blasts. Their street-musician past, working with limited resources, has been a masterclass in skill and mindset. Pure acoustic power is what this band is all about, with the fierce voice of their striking frontwoman as an extra weapon. Her reflective, thoughtful, and universally relatable lyrics hit listeners with maximum impact.

Fantastico! Our favourite Italians are returning to Rotterdam! Anyone who hasn’t missed an edition of RBF in recent years has probably already seen this virtuosic quartet steal the show. And you might be thinking, Italians? Because when you see and hear them play, you’d never guess their background: in every way, this band looks and sounds 100% American. More precisely, they channel the America of the 1950s and the original bluegrass sound of that era, back when Bill Monroe had just put the genre on the map. The Truffle Valley Boys have managed to capture and embed the energy, excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the brand-new style from back then into their own sound.

But this quartet doesn’t just endlessly spin in the past - they give it a fresh twist. By the time they roll into Rotterdam Noord, a brand-new full-length album will be waiting in the trunk of their tour bus. They recorded it at the famed Flipsville Records in Sweden, a completely analog studio with nothing but vintage 1950s gear. A true haven for musicians who love vintage equipment, allowing the band to give their songs the signature sound we, and they, love so much. Their performance in Rotterdam is part of the album release tour, so get ready for a full-on presentation, of course in the classic bluegrass setup around the microphone. Che bello!

Breaking rules in country music since 2015 - that could be the tagline for Texas six-piece Vandoliers. A band that has built a career on pushing boundaries and welcoming everyone, perfectly in tune with the philosophy of Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival.

A raw mix of roots styles - country, Tex-Mex, folk, and blues - combined with energetic punk has always been Vandoliers’ trademark over the past decade. Their latest album continues that tradition, while also showing the musical growth the band has achieved since their first release. Lyrically, too, there’s been evolution: Life Behind Bars (2025) offers an intimate look into frontwoman Jenni (Gin-ee) Rose’s life and her journey through addiction and gender dysphoria - a journey that culminated in her coming out as a trans woman. A courageous move that addresses these themes head-on, while the band’s unbridled positive energy remains intact. Even the most melancholic tracks carry a certain exuberance. Whatever happens, Vandoliers keep spreading joy with unstoppable drive. And we can’t wait to see them do exactly that on the Noordplein!

With a fresh take on classic country, folk and blues, Canadian singer-songwriter Cat Clyde takes listeners on a journey through different worlds with her songs. In one track, her velvety voice offers an intimate glimpse into her deepest emotions; in another, honky-tonk piano and slide guitar lead you through the swinging doors of a lively saloon.

Cat Clyde draws on a wide palette of influences, not just musical: growing up in rural Ontario, Canada, she feels a deep connection to nature, a source of inspiration and wisdom that informs her artistry. Her music feels timeless and familiar, with nods to greats like Patsy Cline, Lead Belly and Bobbie Gentry. Soulful blues and gentle folk flow from her warm, smoky voice, at once tender and raw. With her contemporary approach to traditional genres and poetic songwriting, Cat Clyde creates an intimate atmosphere that lingers long after the music ends. Especially live, at the Noordplein, you’ll experience firsthand how her songs grab you from the very first note and don’t let go.

If a British band puts one cover on their new album, and it just so happens to be written by a Dutch artist - the one who has played Rotterdam Bluegrass Festival the most - that definitely scores points. Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra had already earned that good rapport, otherwise the Newcastle outfit wouldn’t be returning to Rotterdam more than ten years after their last show. It was high time for a new invitation, especially since so much has happened since 2015.

With their mix of rockabilly, blues, country, swing, soul, doo-wop, honky-tonk and more, they had the RBF audience dancing from side to side back then. Four albums and two EPs later, the band’s musical range has only grown. This is partly thanks to bandleader Rob Heron’s vast vinyl collection: a passion for 7-inch singles with obscure blues and country, but also calypso, boogaloo and other exotic records. These influences seep into the band’s sound, now further energized by the addition of saxophonist/clarinetist Ben Powling. The lineup also includes Rob Heron (vocals/guitar), Tom Cronin (mandolin/harmonica/guitar), Ted Harbot (double bass/bass) and Paul Archibald (drums). Their typically British dryly humorous lyrics and performance do the rest.

Oh, and the cover in question? ‘Happy Hour’, written by Arnold Lasseur of Blue Grass Boogiemen, released in 2019 on the album of the same name in collaboration with Tim Knol - who also played in Rotterdam that year - and included on Feet First, the band’s latest record from 2024. That the Brits’ show will be one big happy hour goes without saying. In fact, that’s probably an understatement.

Attention for one of Europe’s most striking newcomers in authentic 1950s rhythm & blues and rock ’n’ roll: Cat Lee King & His Cocks. Hailing from Bonn, the band has quickly made a name for themselves in their home scene and this summer they’re crossing the border to Rotterdam.

Their repertoire is a tasteful mix of well-known and lesser-known covers alongside original material, ranging from soulful, sentimental blues to swinging rhythm & blues and wild, high-energy rock ’n’ roll. A perfect combination of warm nostalgia and fresh energy. While charismatic frontman and self-taught Cat Lee King leads the band with pumping honky-tonk piano and his signature raspy voice, lead guitarist Thomas ‘Tommyboy’ Jackson Croole - with his 19 years the band’s youngest member - tears into the blues guitar, all propelled by a super-tight, irresistible rhythm section: Lucas ‘Lucky’ Luciano on double bass, Sidney Ramone on rhythm guitar, and René ‘The Dude’ Lieutenant on drums.

Anyone who loves old-school rhythm & blues and rock ’n’ roll, full of fiery musicianship and incredible showmanship, needs to see this band live!