THE Rob Lear Band play a home gig at the Blackwood miners institute tonight ( Friday May 27) before heading off for a festival season playing alongside the likes of The Proclaimers, Tom Robinson, Fairport Convention and also Mark Radcliffe and Andy Kershaw.

The Blackwood show is a celebration of the release of the band’s new album, ‘Motorcycle Heart’ which has already been getting some strong reviews and support from national radio and established publications including  ‘Acoustic’ magazine.

From their base in the Welsh valleys, Rob and his band first burst onto the music scene in early 2013 with the release of a debut album, ‘Let it Go’, mixed and co-produced by Richard Thompson’s Grammy-nominated producer Simon Tassano.

The line-up is an eclectic gathering of instrumentalists including Van Morrison bassist Pete Hurley, African rhythm student Liz Mullins and country guitarist Brett Green.

The success of that debut album led to major festival appearances and touring in both the UK and Europe.

2016 sees the release of this follow-up, once again co-produced in Texas by Tassano. The album blends all the skills and influences of Rob’s band to deliver 12 tracks that bridge Americana, Folk, Country and even a dash of radio-friendly pop.

As well as developing his own career as a performer and dedicated song-smith, Rob has also been sought-after to write for X-Factor finalists right through to Spanish ‘emo’ artists and has written material for a new motion picture musical release by Tornado Films entitled ‘Rain’.

His first solo recording, ‘A Million Stars’ was a six track E.P, the success of which resulted in the title track becoming a BBC Radio Single of the Week. Rob’s second single ‘Little Acorns’, produced by the Manic Street Preachers’ celebrated producer Greg Haver also gained Single of the Week status.

This success gradually attracted his unique band of supporting musicians, adding cello, djembe, accordion, bass and guitar to Rob’s live line up, so forming the Rob Lear Band.

For booking details visit your.caerphilly.gov.uk/bmi