LIVE REVIEW: COUNTRY CALLING 2026 - THE VIP STAGE - THE DUNCAN BROTHERS BAND

If truth be told, the Duncan Brothers Band were not on our original review list, with their set on the Homestead Stage occurring just as we were scheduled to be covering 2 other stages, a perennial Country Calling problem, having just too much choice!!! However, such was the sweet sound emanating from their stage as we passed, we made a mental note to catch them before the festival was over, and a slot on the VIP stage would provide just that. It would mean that we were getting a little less oomph than we had seen earlier, as there was no room for a drum kit on the VIP stage, however it did help accentuate the group harmonies even more.

As with their earlier performance, they would be joined by Producer / Mentor Brian Collins who would lurk in the shadows at the back of the stage, not wishing to steal any limelight, though still able to provide harmonica and occasional backing vocals as required. So with a tambourine having to replace the drum kit, they kicked off with "Celia", two guitars and a harmonica would join triple harmonies to make the sweetest sound ever, immediately fully justifying our decision to detour to see them. Brian's harmonica just suggested a campfire setting for this some what tragic story of a seemingly doomed relationship

"Celia we're putting each other through hell

I don't know why we can't help but try

over and over again

Celia what have we done to ourselves?

This two step we're in leaves us two steps apart

As we dance to a song with no end"

The combination of sound, lyrics and vocals became the viewers sole focus for attention and for those few minutes transferred us from a field in Essex to the Wild West.

The title track of their EP "Hold Your Horses" followed, initially just the sound of a guitar and a voice, on this plea not grow up too quickly, the chorus would once more see the band ramp up the guitars and vocals.

"You got dreams to chase and you want to grow up right now"

There would be an a capella treat next with Brian joining in to make 4 voices, on The Eagles "Seven Bridges Road", which was a most moving sound. It would only be an introductory minute or so and would be the lead in for one of the Duncan Brothers own tunes "The Long Winding Road".

The short set would close with an Eagles cover in full, with "Take It Easy", it all made for the most relaxing way to see out the late Sunday afternoon, setting us up perfectly for the Festivals main stage climax.