Simon RushworthSmithfield @Newcastle The Cluny, 07.09.26
Given the pure joy on the faces of Tennessee-based, Texan duo Smithfield, as they settled into a splendid Newcastle debut, it was difficult to guess what meant more: a first Tyneside show or more than 40 Grand Ole Opry sets.
Veterans of the Nashville scene, Trey Smith and Jennifer Fielder are familiar faces on Music City’s most famous stage and proven regulars at the high-stakes writing rounds that make or break reputations in and around Music Row.
But right now it feels like spreading their wings and spreading the word means everything to two childhood friends living a shared dream.
A first UK headline tour — in the same week that their long-awaited debut album dropped — has been a long coming. Suddenly racking up the Opry half century can wait.
Make no mistake. This was quite the coup for The Cluny. Smithfield are likely returning to C2C in 2027 and the release of Country With Heart is guaranteed to gain the band fresh traction Stateside.
Truth be told, it’s a record that belongs on bigger stages, brought to life by a full band. But this intimate acoustic set was a real treat: for Smithfield and their fans.
Smith and Fielding had the opportunity to tell the stories behind their music, celebrate their intuitive friendship and outline a familiar tale of triumph in adversity.
The duo’s chemistry sizzled, their harmonies popped and the new(er) songs slotted in seamlessly alongside the autobiographical We’ll Figure It Out and breakout hit Hey Whiskey.
But how come a band formed in 2011 have waited 15 years to release their first long player? It’s not for the want of trying.
The collapse of the duo’s first (and only) record label meant a lengthy reset but the journey of an independent band battling for recognition — and often survival — regularly makes for songwriting rich in resilience and authenticity.
Country With Heart is an album with soul. Stripped down live, its highlights sparkle.
The moving juxtaposition between Take Me To Texas and All Over Nashville speaks to myriad artists who’ve upped sticks to make new memories, without ever losing sight of their roots. Both songs were stirring standouts here.
The teasing Tonight Talkin’ should create some serious industry chatter and Drunk Love You’s a glass half full or empty tear-jerker — depending on your take.
Then there are the breezy medleys celebrating the songs that make Smith and Fielding tick: everything from 80s hair metal to trad country had its turn as the pair laid bare their go-to favourites.
Look back on 2026 in a decade’s time and it will be the year that marked the end of the beginning for one of Nashville’s most compelling partnerships.
Country With Heart has been worth the wait but now it’s about making up for lost time. And Smithfield are in no mood to hang about.
