After a century of shaping country music in Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry took its legendary show across the Atlantic for the very first time. As part of its Opry 100 celebration, this historic event united music fans and artists for a memorable one-night-only performance.
The event,Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, was a sold-out concert that reportedly attracted over 5,000 country listeners.
The lineup was packed with some of the Grand Ole Opry’s biggest names, including Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker andMarty Stuart.
Adding to the excitement were special guest artists from the U.K., Mumford & Sons and Breabach. For Mumford & Sons, this event was especially significant as it marked their debut both at the Grand Ole Opry and at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall.
One of the night’s most meaningful moments came when performers stepped onto a circle of wood made from the original floorboards of Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry’s former home. This replica of The Circle, currently housed at the Opry House in Nashville, was brought all the way across the ocean as a tribute to its lasting legacy.
In keeping with the Opry’s tradition of collaboration, members and guest artists joined forces throughout the night. Among the highlights were “Wagon Wheel,” performed by Darius Rucker and Breabach.
Carly Pearce and Luke Combs took center stage for “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” while Ashley McBryde and Marty Stuart sang “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’ Anymore.”
The concert eventually wrapped up with the entire cast coming together for performances of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”
If you missed this historic event, you can catch up on the experience through BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Thursday, October 2, starting at 7 p.m. Bob Harris, host of Radio 2’s Country Show, will take listeners backstage with exclusive interviews recorded during the night, followed by a full two-hour broadcast of the concert.
For those who prefer to watch, highlights from the evening will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, as part of a dedicated country music celebration.
