The Brooklyn-based hip-hop-bluegrass band Gangstagrass have announced a return to the UK in November 2025 for what they describe as “many awesome Gangstagrass parties!” The five-piece band, who have been blazing their particular trail since 2007, became well-known when their song ‘Long Hard Times To Come’ was used as the opening theme for Kentucky-based TV series “Justified”, apparently because author Elmore Leonard was a fan.
Several albums later, Gangstagrass have a long record of activism which is a key element to their music. Their latest record, “The Blackest Thing On The Menu” was released in 2024 and followed with a deluxe edition including different versions of songs on the record as well as a few that were left off.
The core band comprises Rench (vocals/guitar/beats), Dan Whitener: banjo/vocals, Brian Farrow: fiddle/vocals, R-Son The Voice of Reason: vocals and Dolio The Sleuth: vocals. When they played a series of festival dates in the UK and Europe in 2024, Whitener and Farrow didn’t make the trip, so the three touring members were joined by UK musicians. We don’t know what the touring band will be on this tour.
You can get a taste of what to look forward to in the performance of ‘Up High Do Or Die’ in the video below.
Gangstagrass say “Get tix to any close to you and come find community in our antifascist celebration!” Links here.
Gangstagrass 2025 dates:
19 November – The Stables, Milton Keynes
21 November – The Parish, Huddersfield
23 November – The Cluny, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
25 November – Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
26 November – Stereo, Glasgow
27 November – Gorilla, Manchester
28 November – Acapela Studio, Cardiff
29 November – London, The Garage
30 November – Thekla, Bristol
