The New West - it’s a name that makes perfect sense for now. This fresh bluegrass band hails from the western part of the Netherlands, more specifically Rotterdam, and indeed, they’re a brand-new addition to the scene. But don’t let that fool you: the musicians behind this project are anything but newcomers.

The New West is made up of five tightly-knit friends with impeccable chemistry. They studied at the Rotterdam Conservatory at the same time and have been sharing stages for over a decade. Each brings a diverse musical background to the table, with past collaborations including names like Douwe Bob, Tim Knol, Fréderique Spigt and the Blue Grass Boogiemen. Not all of them came into the project with bluegrass experience, but with Tijmen Veelenturf - winner of the 2024 Mountain City Fiddlers Convention in the U.S. - on board, they had a powerhouse fiddle player to lead the charge. The rest of the band quickly proved themselves to be so musically versatile that they mastered the traditional bluegrass instrumentation within a matter of months. Once they hit the rehearsal room, the instrumental puzzle clicked instantly. Polishing the vocal harmonies sealed the deal.

It’s no surprise that The New West rapidly made a name for themselves, both in and outside of Rotterdam. Their live debut took place at Theater Walhalla in March of this year, and shows in the Netherlands, Finland and Portugal are already lined up. Come July, they’ll be bringing their bluegrass fire straight to Noordplein!