The Shires “Bonfire” Headline Tour

With their brand‑new album Bonfire arriving July 3, British country favourites The Shires are gearing up for a triumphant return to the stage this November. After four years away from the studio, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes are stepping back into the spotlight with a record built on instinct, joy and pure musical chemistry. As Ben puts it in the press release, “This is easily the most instinctive album we’ve ever made… If it was fun, we went with it.”

Their new single “Getaway Car” — a harmony‑rich, sun‑seeking burst of escapism — sets the tone for what fans can expect from the tour. Crissie describes it as “a foot stompin’, hand clappin’ festival sing‑along song and a fresh new sound of The Shires!”
It’s the kind of track that feels tailor‑made for a packed hall, voices raised, hands in the air.

Kaylee Bell

New Zealand country star Kaylee Bell will join The Shires as special guest for this show, as part of their 13-date UK run. Bell has built an impressive international following, with more than 100 million catalogue streams and performances alongside Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban and Kane Brown. A CMA Award winner, she heads back to the UK with new music including her latest single, “Me For Me”.

If you like… you’ll enjoy…

If you gravitate toward the lush harmonies of Lady A, the heartfelt warmth of Little Big Town or the polished, contemporary edge of Kelsea Ballerini, The Shires will feel like home. Reviewers of previous tours have praised their “stadium‑ready vocals,” their easy, down‑to‑earth charm, and the way they can turn even the grandest venues into something intimate and communal. Expect big choruses, emotional storytelling and that unmistakable Shires blend of British honesty and Nashville sparkle.

A Tour Made for UK Country Fans

The Shires’ November run will take them to major venues across the UK, bringing Bonfire to life for the first time on stage. With their history‑making achievements — from the first British country act to score a UK Top Ten album to winning a CMA Award — this tour feels like a celebration not just of a new chapter, but of everything they’ve built with their fans over the past decade. As the press release notes, they’ve “maintained an enviable reputation at the forefront of the genre and couldn’t be happier to be back with new music to share.”