Gillian Welch and David Rawlings to Release Live Album
The duo will drop Boots 3: The Hickory Show, a collection from a 1997 concert, on February 12, 2027.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Folk
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Folk musicians Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are set to release their new live album, Boots 3: The Hickory Show, on February 12, 2027. The project, coming via Acony Records, captures a performance from the duo's archives.
Why it matters
The release serves as a archival look at the duo's early performance style and sound. It offers fans a chance to experience a historic concert that has remained largely unheard for decades.
The album features 23 total tracks captured during a performance at a 400-seat venue. The duo utilized a minimal technical setup consisting of two guitars, two voices, and four microphones.
The players
Gillian Welch
A prominent folk singer-songwriter known for her collaborative work with David Rawlings.
David Rawlings
A guitarist and producer who has partnered with Gillian Welch on her musical projects since the 1990s.
Acony Records
The independent record label founded by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings to release their music.
The details
The album documents a concert recorded on September 27, 1997, at the Acoustic Stage at the Arts and Science Center Auditorium in Hickory, NC. To preview the upcoming release, the duo shared two tracks: Tear My Stillhouse Down and Pancho and Lefty.
Timeline
The original concert occurred on September 27, 1997.
The album Boots 3: The Hickory Show releases on February 12, 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows a pattern set by the historical archival release of the Bootleg Series by Bob Dylan in preserving formative live performances. It highlights the growing trend of artists mining their personal archives to provide deeper historical context for their established discographies.
Fans can look forward to the album release on February 12, 2027, through Acony Records. Additionally, the duo is scheduled to perform live in the coming weeks, including appearances at Bill Kreutzmann's A Very Grateful Thanksgiving shows.
The takeaway
Collectors and fans of the duo can expect a raw, minimally produced sound that reflects their early touring approach. This release provides a rare glimpse into the duo's 1997 performance style at small venues.
Further reading
Discover more about the genre in the Folk section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Relix Media.
Live Poll
Do you generally enjoy listening to archival live concert recordings from established artists?
