At The Barrier catches up with Barbara after their triumphant appearance at Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. John Barlass asks the questions…

BARBARA

The moment that we heard the announcement that Barbara had secured the Saturday afternoon spot at this year’s Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, we just knew they’d be a big hit. And they were. Barbara nailed it and several thousand happy punters left North Oxfordshire on Sunday 16th August with another favourite band to follow. Barbara had a great time, as they were keen to let us know, when we spoke to brothers John & Henry Tydeman as they left the Cropredy stage…

They were brilliant – that’s the general consensus. And, when Barbara left the stage after their storming Cropredy show on Saturday 15th August, they left behind a whole field full of happy new Barbarettes.

First stop (probably after a quick comfort break, but we won’t go into that) was the signing tent. The queue for signatures, selfies – or just a chat with the newly-anointed Cropredy wunderkinds – was snaking around the bar as Barbara arrived. And, after satisfying Barbarettes – old, but mainly new – the band made their way backstage, where frontman John Tydeman and his brother, keyboardist Henry were collared by At The Barrier for a chat. We discussed their Cropredy experience, their plans for the future and to explain that baffling band name The video was conducted to a soundtrack provided courtesy of Hayseed Dixie, who were approaching the zenith of their set as we spoke, but we all managed to make ourselves heard…

BARBARA ON TOUR

Aren’t they great guys? And we at At The Barrier aren’t alone in hoping, fervently, that it won’t be too long before Barbara are invited back to Cropredy to reprise their 2026 triumph. But, there’s no need for anyone to wait that long, however long that may be. Because Barbara will be touring the UK this coming autumn and, if you enjoyed their Cropredy performance, you might want to pop along to one of the venues listed below. Tickets for the shows can be purchased here.

Relive that Cropredy triumph – watch Barbara perform Rainy Days in June – Live at Cropredy! – below:

Barbara: Website

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