Bootleggers

Bootleggers, based in Monmouthshire, South Wales  love to entertain audiences with a lively, foot tapping singalong,…

In September 2023 as Covid was starting to become a memory in our minds two gentleman get talking and discovered that their love of Sea-Shanty, Folk and Country music could indeed be brought together in the way of a band, writes Beverley Jones.

They both knew a couple of others who they believed would enjoy being part of this venture so when Ian and Farmer Pete approached Tony, Leighton and Richard, ‘The Bootleggers’ were formed.

Fast forward a couple of years and now they are becoming a well-known local band, playing regular gigs both at events and for private functions.

Their upbeat, foot-tapping sound and their interaction with the audience, which always has a lot of humour thrown in, has made them a go to band for these genres of musical sound.

Having rehearsed in the glorious sunshine of 2025 in the barn at Farmer Pete’s local rural location they are proudly looking forward to representing Monmouthshire at the Cornwall Mevagissey Shanty Festival.