Jess McAllister

Jess will be performing on the Meadow stage on Saturday 24 August

Make no mistake, here is evidence of a ferocious emotional and musical intelligence at work.” Tom Robinson – BBC 6 Music

The music of Jess McAllister spans from free-spirited, nostalgic folk, through to rhythmic, gutsy blues, rock and pop. She blends her craft of songwriting with live performances filled with spontaneity, passion and pure heart. Switching effortlessly on stage between electric guitar, banjo and piano, her honey dipped vocals “leap from fragility to soaring strength that will send all your hairs heavenwards” FRUK

Swirling with musical inspiration since childhood, Jess spent years playing folk gigs and festivals, and singing with a reggae band in Devon. Following the birth of her son, Alfred, she embraced the journey of motherhood, and quietly immersed herself in her songwriting with an enriched understanding of the human condition.

Her debut E.P ‘Painted Faces’ was released in October 2013, and received an amazing response from radio stations, podcasts and online music review sites, and had numerous plays on BBC 6 Music. Jess toured the UK, Germany and Ireland, and played festivals such as Boomtown, Meadows in the Mountains and Beautiful Days. Jess was also featured on Bob Harris’ very own Under the Apple Tree’ sessions.

Having spent two years concentrating on her family, writing and recording, Jess is back with new material, a collection of talented musical friends, and a new lust for bringing her music to the world. She spent 2017 recording her debut album (yet to be released!), commuting from Devon to Ballindery, Northern Ireland in order to team up with producer and musician Michael Mormecha in ‘Millbank Studios’. Her latest single, ’Silence’ from the album is out now and available to stream and download now!