Tonight in Forest Park, the Scottish band Elephant Sessions makes their Chicago stage debut as they tour the United States for the first time. Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland, the band was formed in 2012 and features Euan Smillie on fiddle, Alasdair Taylor on mandolin, Calum MacQuarrie on bass, and Greg Barry on drums and samples.

Elephant Sessions creates a progressive blend of intricate melodies, powerful guitars, and a bass and drum-heavy backline that merges the best of traditional music, funk, and electronica. This unique fusion has given rise to an exciting and fresh sound that has captivated audiences. Their journey began with extensive gigging across the UK, where they quickly built a devoted fan base. In 2014, they released their debut album, The Elusive Highland Beauty, to critical acclaim, which led to their winning the Best Up and Coming Act category at the BBC Alba Trad Music Awards the same year.

Renowned for their breathtaking live performances, Elephant Sessions soon gained recognition beyond the UK, performing at some of Europe’s most prestigious festivals. Their impressive live appearances include sets at Glastonbury, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Colours of Ostrava, and multiple headline sell-outs at Celtic Connections.

Their distinct sound has even won over Mercury Prize-winning band Alt-J, along with supporters at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6. Elephant Sessions have been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, alongside coverage in folk magazines, radio features, and TV documentaries.

In 2017, the band won the coveted BBC MG Alba Album of the Year for All We Have is Now, and their latest album, For The Night, released at the end of last year, was shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award.

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