On Wednesday, June 24th Canadian roots, rock, and soul band Bywater Call are excited to announce the release ‘Is This Thing On?‘, leading up to the July 29th release of their highly anticipated fourth studio album ‘Broken Souvenirs‘ featuring the critically acclaimed singles ‘No One Else‘, ‘Only‘ and ‘Hold Me Down‘. The album is available to pre-order – here.
Due to popular demand, two new dates have been added to Bywater Call’s January and February 2027 UK Tour. The band will now play Milton Keynes’ the Stables on February 1st, and Newcastle’s Anarchy Brew on February 7th. Tickets for all UK shows are available from The Gig Cartel, Gigantic, and Bywater Call.
‘Is This Thing On?‘ is available on all streaming platforms – here
‘Is This Thing On?‘ is a haunting, soul-stirring blend of soul, Americana, blues, and folk — gritty, intimate, and emotionally charged. Built around beautifully arranged acoustic guitar, sweeping strings, and a raw, magnetic vocal performance, the song lays bare the vulnerability of sending art out into the world: exposed, unguarded, and searching for connection. It captures the quiet fear that, after pouring your heart and soul into something, no one may be listening.
The single’s minimalist arrangement gives the song room to breathe, allowing the listener to fully absorb its storytelling and emotional weight. It stands as one of Bywater Call’s most powerful musical statements to date, offering a compelling glimpse of the depth, maturity, and artistry that define their forthcoming album, ‘Broken Souvenirs‘.
‘Is This Thing On?‘ has already become a fan favourite at live shows, inspiring a call and response between the band and the audience.
Drawing inspiration from the raw storytelling of Shakey Graves, Sierra Ferrell, Brandi Carlile, and Jason Isbell, ‘Is This Thing On?‘ sits firmly within the emotional landscape of ‘Broken Souvenirs‘. Rich in atmosphere and detail, the song places storytelling at its core, painting vivid scenes that invite listeners to step inside its world and carry its imagery long after the final note fades.
The song reflects Bywater Call’s commitment to blending timeless influences with fresh, contemporary sounds, while continuing to define a musical space entirely their own. That spirit of evolution and experimentation runs through ‘Broken Souvenirs‘, capturing the emotional intensity, musicianship, and driving Bywater Call’s energy and conviction that fans have come to love.
‘Is This Thing On?‘ was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering. The official video for the single was choreographed and directed by Chelsea Preston and filmed by Badee Mirkham.
‘Broken Souvenirs‘ delivers a captivating 11-song collection that captures Bywater Call at their most versatile, adventurous, and emotionally charged. Expanding beyond the boundaries of genre, the album deepens the band’s distinctive voice while embracing a bold, wide-ranging sound. Drawing on influences from Black Pumas, Alabama Shakes, Amy Winehouse, Shakey Graves, The Black Crowes and more, ‘Broken Souvenirs‘ moves effortlessly from feel-good retro soul and intimate acoustic moments to driving contemporary R&B, creating a rich, dynamic journey from start to finish.
Renowned for transcending genre boundaries, Bywater Call has built a reputation for electrifying, emotionally charged live performances driven by powerhouse vocals and thrilling interplay between all seven band members. In early 2026, the band earned their third consecutive UK Blues Awards nomination for “International Act of the Year”, following previous nominations in 2025 and 2024.
Classic Rock made Bywater Call’s 2024 studio album ‘Shepherd‘ (review here) their “Blues Album of the Month” and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record. the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” ‘Shepherd‘ was also voted “Top Blues Album of the Year” in Classic Rock’s year-end round-up.
Bywater Call 2026 & 2027 Tour Dates:
2027 UK Tour
27th Jan 2027 | Faversham, UK – The Old Brewery Store
Tickets
28th January 2027 | Southampton, UK – The Brook
Tickets
30th January 2027 | Exeter, UK – Phoenix
Tickets
31st Jananuary 2027 | Sheffield, UK – Yellow Arch
Tickets
1st February 2027 | Milton Keynes – The Stables
Tickets
2nd February 2027 | York, UK – Crescent
Tickets
3th February 2027 | Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
Tickets
4th February 2027 | Manchester, UK – Band on the Wall
Tickets
5th February 2027 | London, UK – 100 Club
Tickets
6th February 2027 | Norwich, UK – Waterfront
Tickets
7th February 2027 | Newcastle – Anarchy Brewery
Tickets
**More dates to be announced
U.S. / Canada 2026
Jun 27 Winter Park, CO, USA – Blues from the Top
Jun 30 Ridgefield, CT, USA – CHIRP 2026
Jul 1 Londonderry, NH, USA – Concerts on the Common
Jul 2 Saratoga Springs, NY, USA – The Parting Glass
Jul 3 Hawley, PA, USA – Harmony in the Woods
Jul 7 Gravenhurst, ON, Canada – Peter’s Players Cruise
Jul 8 Mont Tremblant, QC, Canada – Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival
Jul 11 Kincardine, ON, Canada – Lighthouse Blues Festival
*Jul 12 Sherman, NY, USA – Pine Junction
*Jul 13 Warrendale, PA, USA – Jergel’s
Jul 14 Columbia, MD, USA – Collective Encore
*Jul 15 Ardmore, PA, USA – Ardmore Hall
Jul 17 Moscow, ID, USA – Rendezvous in the Park
Jul 18 Nine Mile Falls, WA, USA – Live at Andres
Jul 19 Winthrop. WA, USA – Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival
Jul 23 Thomas, WV, USA – Purple Fiddle
Jul 24 Lawrenceburg, IN, USA – Whiskey City’s Liberty Theatre
Jul 25 Waterville, OH, USA – Blues, Brews & Brats
Jul 30 Terre Haute, IN, USA – Terre Haute Brewing
^Jul 31 Des Plaines, IL, USA – Rivers Casino
Aug 1 Erie, PA, USA – Erie Jazz & Blues Festival
Aug 13 Saranac Lake, NY, USA – The Waterhole
Aug 14 Putney, VT, USA – Bandwagon Series
Aug 15 New York, NY, USA – Hudson River Blues Festival
Aug 16 Homer, NY, USA – Homer Centre for the Arts
Aug 17 Lima, NY, USA – Fanatics
Aug 21 Dayton, OH, USA – Levitt Pavillion
Aug 22 Westland, MI, USA – Token Lounge
Aug 24 Evanston, IL, USA – SPACE
Aug 26 Lincoln, NE, USA – Zoo Bar
Aug 27 Omaha, NE, USA – The B. Bar
Aug 28 Paola, KS, USA – Paola Roots Festival
Aug 29 West Plaines, MO, USA – Shenanigan’s
Aug 30 Evansville, IN, USA – Mojo’s Boneyard
Sep 3 St Catharine’s, ON, Canada – Warehouse Concert Hall
Sep 5 Midland, ON, Canada – Midland Cultural Centre
Sep 6 Etwell, ON, Canada – Etwell Concert Series
Sep 12 Hamilton, ON, Canada – Mills Hardware
Sep 13 Guelph, ON, Canada – Sonic Hall
^Sep 15 Ottawa, ON, Canada – History
Sep 16 Fredericton, NB, Canada – Harvest Music Festival
Sep 23 Burlington, VT, USA – Higher Ground
Sep 24 Belleville, ON, Canada – Southside Productions
Sep 25 Palmer Rapids, ON, Canada – Highlands Festival
Sep 27 Morrisburg, ON, Canada – Harmony Concerts
Oct 13 Scarborough, ME, USA – Brickhouse
Oct 14 Portsmouth, NH, USA – Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues~
Oct 15 Northampton, MA, USA – Iron Horse
Oct 16 Plymouth, MA, USA – Spire Centre
Oct 17 Shirley, MA, USA – Bull Run
Oct 18 Pawling, NY, USA – Daryl’s House
Oct 20 New York, NY, USA – Bleeker Bell
Oct 21 Sellersville, PA, USA – Sellersville Theatre
Oct 22 Elkton, MD, USA – Elkton Music Hall
Oct 23 Jim Thorpe, PA, USA – Mauch Chunk Opera House
#Oct 28 Albuquerque, NM, USA – KiMo Theatre
#Oct 29 Flagstaff, AZ, USA – Orpheum Theatre
#Oct 30 Phoenix, AZ, USA – Celebrity Theatre
#Nov 1 Tucson, AZ, USA – Rialto Theatre
#Nov 3 Grand Junction, CO, USA – Mesa Theatre
#Nov 5 Colorado Springs, CO, USA – Phil Long Music Hall
#Nov 6 Ft Collins, CO, USA – Aggie Theatre
#Nov 7 Boulder, CO, USA – Boulder Theatre
Nov 20 Westport, ON, Canada – Cove Inn
*Supporting Robert Jon & The Wreck
^Supporting Blackberry Smoke
#Supporting Joanne Shaw Taylor
EU / U.K. 2026
22 Jan 2027 | Den Haag, NL – Paard
23 Jan 2027 | Utrecht, NL – Tivoli
24 Jan 2027 | Bonn, DE – Harmonie
27 Jan 2027 | Faversham, UK – The Old Brewery Store
28 Jan 2027 | Southampton, UK – The Brook
30 Jan 2027 | Exeter, UK – Phoenix
31 Jan 2027 | Sheffield, UK – Yellow Arch
1 Feb 2027 | Milton Keyes, UK – The Stables
2 Feb 2027 | York, UK – The Crescent
3 Feb 2027 | Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
4 Feb 2027 | Manchester, UK – Band on the Wall
5 Feb 2027 | London, UK – The 100 Club
6 Feb 2027 | Norwich, UK – Waterfront
7 Feb 2027 | Newcastle, UK – Anarchy Brewery
U.S. 2027
Apr 10 | Tampa Bay, FL, USA – Tampa Bay Blues Festival
Apr 11 | Miramar Beach, FL, USA – Soundwave Festival
About Bywater Call
Meghan Parnell (vocals) and Dave Barnes (guitar) are the founding members of Bywater Call, a powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada. The band also features Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), John Kervin (keyboards), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), and Julian Nalli (tenor sax).
Bywater Call has received multiple Independent Blues and Maple Blues Award nominations including Entertainer, Electric Act and Best Female Vocalist for the 2024 Awards Season. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German, and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.
In August 2023, the band participated in Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise alongside headliners Blackberry Smoke and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. They were invited to perform at the All-Star Jam on the mainstage with Bonamassa himself. Guitarist Dave Barnes was also asked to join legendary blues artist Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien’s Basic Cable Band) on stage.
Bywater Call have commanded festival stages in Canada and around the world, often referred to as the “find of the fest”. In May of 2023, they opened for Canadian Award-winning band Whitehorse at the inaugural Smokestack Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. In July, Meghan joined renowned pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph on stage at his request, at the Briggs Farm Festival in Nescopeck, PA.
On October 24, 2023, Bywater performed a live stream performance on the German TV show and festival Rockpalast.
In 2023, the band played a total of 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 Cities, 19 US States and 3 Canadian Provinces. This is not including a month-long duo tour in Europe and the UK where Meghan and Dave opened for Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, who have recently partnered with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records.
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