Abigail Washburn

Event information

In 2011 Abigail Washburn released the critically acclaimed album City Of Refuge. After a fantastic tour of the UK to support the album's release she is returning to the Greystones where she held a sell-out capacity audience in raptures in January 2011.

Abigail will be accompanied by long time song-writing collaborator Kai Welch. No banjoist has a story like hers. Originally from Illinois, she didn't grow up with any sort of folk-music background before she began studying law in China. Her experience in China held up a mirror to her own culture and in search of her American roots she bought her first banjo in 2000 and started to play. Three years later, she had a record contract. These things don't happen in the real world. Those who have struggled with the instrument for decades may feel they have reason to hate her, but only until witnessing a performance.

Washburn is one of the most fascinating banjo performers in the world, and decidedly likeable. It's not always her virtuoso clawhammer picking that gets attention, but an assembly of her singing, songwriting, and backing band, which together transforms banjo music into something you don't expect. "I'm a songwriter and a singer, and the banjo is my muse," she says.

City of Refuge made many of the best of 2011' lists. Mojo magazine described the album as 'something astonishing' (4-stars), the New York Daily News hailed 'a newly inspired genre', and others have drawn comparisons with Springsteen's Nebraska.


Washburn is a brilliant solo artist who uses her instrumental talents to make...extraordinary and hard to describe but easy to like music of considerable originality." "An original, accessible, and highly recommended purchase." - David Quantick, BBC

"A real gem". - FRoots (Folk Roots)
"A lavish record that turns the heat under Washburn's melting pot a further few notches" - The Guardian
"Purveyor of clawhammer banjostress turns outs something astonishing.."- Mojo 4*
"and very lovely it is too" - The Independent
"An interesting and Original album ..City Of Refuge is an album that gets better each time you listen to it. Washburn's own beautiful clawhammer banjo playing is augmented by a brilliant ensemble cast of musicians to bring together what she has described as 'a huge community record'." - The Telegraph

"Ms. Washburn's enigmatic songs mingle Appalachia and folk-pop, with tinges of Asia and Bruce Springsteen." - Jon Pareles, The New York Times

"Washburn has made a modern classic." - James Reed, Boston Globe

"City of Refuge is a lavish record that turns the heat under Washburn's melting pot a further few notches." - Alfred Hickling, The Guardian

"City of Refuge echoes with thoughtfulness, charm and joy, and should introduce Ms. Washburn to an audience beyond her following among traditional country, folk, bluegrass and Americana fans." - Jim Fusilli, Wall Street Journal