Manchester, October 14th: A Different Thread return to Manchester’s Carlton Club as part of their 20-date UK “Over Again” album release tour. Support from local duo Dogwood Roses. Doors open at 7:00.
Transatlantic folk/alt-country duo A Different Thread return to Carlton Club with support from Manchester's own duo Dogwood Roses.
Multi-instrumentalists Alicia Best from Durham, NC, and Robert Jackson from Staffordshire, UK, first met by chance on the streets of Galway, Ireland, in 2016. A year later, they formed as A Different Thread after their win at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival’s Open Mic Competition. In the decade since, they have taken a grassroots approach, spent most of their time touring around the UK, US, and beyond, building up a humble following.
When the duo first came to Manchester in 2018, they played The Dulcimer in Chorlton and found a vibrant community of artists, musicians, and music lovers. Returning almost yearly since, they outgrew the Dulcimer’s intimate space and, with the support of local fans they found larger DIY venues in the area like Eccles Town Hall and The Carlton Club in Whalley Range. Through performing at regional festivals and attending Manchester Pride in 2024, A Different Thread continues to build ties to the Rainy City.
Teaming up with Mike Seal (Birmingham, UK) on double bass, Best and Jackson’s live show blends British folk-rock and North Carolina alt-country into a transatlantic sound. Featuring acoustic guitar, fiddle, harmonica, a suitcase drum kit, and close vocal harmonies. Moving seamlessly between intimate quiet moments, lively foot-stomping energy, and audience singalongs, they tell their charming story with songs exploring themes of wanderlust, resilience, and social justice topics. While taking on heavier subjects, their music holds an underlying sense of hope.
Touring with their new album “Over Again”, the band has received praise from BBC 6 Music, RTÉ, NPR, No Depression, The Bluegrass Situation and Germany’s Rolling Stone Magazine. The title track from their latest album "Over Again" won Best in Folk/Americana at the 2026 International Acoustic Music Awards.
We write songs to bring people together, to inspire hope, kindness, and to work towards a brighter future for all.
– A Different Thread
Kicking off the show at the Carlton Club is local duo on the rise, Dogwood Roses. Comprised of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hazel Genevieve and Conall Grinley on guitar, their original music is laced with rich vocal tone and gentle acoustic instrumentation, focusing on themes of nature, seasons, and sustainability.
Tickets for the event are £10 and available here.
