American country duo Smithfield are approaching the final date of an extensive UK run, with a London headline show at St Pancras Old Church on Wednesday, just two days before the release of their new album Country With Heart, Part 2.
Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith have spent the past ten days travelling across the country after beginning their UK visit at The Long Road Festival in Leicestershire on 28 August. Their run has since taken in Selsey, Brentwood, York, Birmingham and The British Country Music Festival in Blackpool, with The Cluny in Newcastle tonight, Monday 7 September, their penultimate UK appearance.
The tour concludes at St Pancras Old Church in London on Wednesday 9 September, bringing Smithfield’s latest UK visit to a close ahead of the release of Country With Heart, Part 2 on Friday 11 September.
The eight-song collection completes the story the duo began with Country With Heart, Part 1, exploring the love, faith, family, friendship and resilience that have shaped Fielder and Smith during their 14-year journey together.
This album exists because you never stopped believing in us. Through every mile, every show, every stream, every message, and every chapter, you’ve been right there with us.
Thank you for helping us turn a 14-year dream into something we can finally hold in our hands.
Among the new material is “Tonight Talkin’”, written by Fielder and Smith alongside Sam Tuten. Selected as the focus track for the album’s release, the song puts the pair’s vocal partnership at the forefront of the sound that has become their trademark.
Formed in 2011, Smithfield take their inspiration from country’s long tradition of male-female duets. There is no designated lead singer within the duo, with Fielder and Smith sharing vocal and songwriting responsibilities and frequently approaching their stories from two different perspectives.
Since moving to Nashville in 2012, that partnership has taken Smithfield from independent beginnings to more than 150 million global streams and over 40 appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Songs including “Hey Whiskey” and “We’ll Figure It Out” have helped build their following, while they have shared stages with artists including Brothers Osborne, Scotty McCreery, Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Dustin Lynch and Old Dominion.
Their latest UK run has mixed headline appearances with festival dates. After opening at The Long Road, Smithfield played The Crown Inn & Pub in Selsey and Hey Joe Music & Coffee in Brentwood before heading north for shows in York and Birmingham. A performance at The British Country Music Festival in Blackpool followed on Sunday, with Newcastle and London completing the UK itinerary.
After London, Smithfield head to Odense, Denmark, on 11 September for Nashville Nights Denmark, the same day Country With Heart, Part 2 is released.
The new record will also be available as part of a deluxe two-disc vinyl edition, bringing Country With Heart, Part 1 and Part 2 together alongside exclusive bonus tracks.
