Formed in 2016 by Amandyn Roses and Charlie Fabert, France’s Rozedale has become a powerful force in the European rock and blues scene. With three studio albums, a live album, and tours across more than a dozen countries, the quartet has built a reputation for electrifying performances and critical acclaim — including a two-page feature in The Great Story of the 50 Best French Rock ’n’ Roll Bands.

Rozedale has opened for major international artists, including Ben Harper. In Germany, the band made history as the only French band to appear on the cover of Bluesnews magazine in its 28-year history, while their album Wide Awake earned a nomination for Best International Blues Album by the German Critics’ Prize.

Their latest release, Anywhere Far Away, pushes even further into classic rock territory, recorded on analog tape with producer Rémi Gettliffe and featuring contributions from respected international songwriters. Driven by soaring vocals, blazing guitar work, and the dynamic rhythm section of Nico Fageot and Guillaume Pihet, Rozedale delivers high-voltage, unapologetic rock ’n’ roll.

Playing with Fire 2026 proudly welcomes Rozedale for their first-ever U.S. appearance — live and free in Omaha.

Halo Rider is a mesmerizing, genre-bending trio that moves between deep groove, trance-like blues, and cinematic Americana with fearless originality. At its core are guitarist and lead vocalist Markus James and electric fiddle virtuoso Anne Harris — two artists whose combined musical journeys span continents, traditions, and decades of acclaimed work. Joined by master drummer Larry Thompson, the result is a powerful three-piece that takes audiences on a spellbinding ride.

Markus James is an American blues musician and songwriter celebrated for blending North Mississippi Hill Country blues with traditional West African rhythms. His critically acclaimed albums recorded in Mali, along with the award-winning documentary Timbuktoubab, established him as a cross-cultural innovator. His release Head For The Hills, recorded in Mississippi with legendary drummers Kinney Kimbrough and Calvin Jackson, earned international praise and led to performances at major festivals including Montreal International Jazz Festival and Telluride Blues Festival. His music has also appeared in the HBO film The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Whether on slide guitar, diddley bow, harmonica, or electric guitar, James plays with depth, authenticity, and global perspective.

Anne Harris brings a singular presence to the stage — a Chicago-based singer-songwriter and electric fiddle powerhouse whose collaborators include Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Living Colour, Anders Osborne, Otis Taylor, and Jefferson Starship. A festival favorite from Telluride to Red Rocks to North Sea Jazz, Harris blends blues, Celtic, Americana, and rock into a sound that is both haunting and explosive, earning praise for performances that feel spiritual, cinematic, and unforgettable.

Anchoring the trio is Larry Thompson, a critically acclaimed drummer with more than 300 recording credits. Having worked with artists such as John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, Dizzy Gillespie, Michael McDonald, and Otis Taylor, Thompson brings technical mastery, grace, and groove that elevate every note. His rhythmic precision and dynamic touch provide the heartbeat that allows Halo Rider’s sound to breathe and soar.

Playing with Fire audiences will remember Anne Harris joining Markus James & the Wassonrai on the PwF stage in August 2022 — a culturally rich, immersive performance that captivated the crowd. Now united as Halo Rider, this trio expands that chemistry into a full-force musical journey.

Together, Halo Rider creates a kaleidoscope of sound — atmospheric instrumental passages, tight harmonies, driving hill-country grit, and electrified trance blues-rock. At Playing with Fire 2026, expect an immersive, powerful performance rooted in authenticity, artistry, and soul. 

British bred Wille and the Bandits have earned a reputation as one of the most exciting and authentic live bands to emerge from the UK. Rooted in a rugged coastal landscape often described as the “Deep South” of Britain, their sound carries the grit, independence, and soul of wild Atlantic weather and wide-open horizons.

Frontman Wille Edwards anchors the band with fiery slide guitar and lap steel work that blends power and tenderness in equal measure. Praised by Joe Bonamassa as “a superb slide player” and by Beth Hart for his voice and songwriting, Wille plays with feel over flash — channeling depth, space, and raw emotion. Alongside him, bassist Harry Mackaill delivers a melodic, driving foundation, while drummer Zach O’Loughlin brings both thunder and finesse, creating a sound that feels organic, human, and electrifying.

The band has drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, John Martyn, and Ben Harper, while their rhythmic flow nods to the improvisational spirit of the John Butler Trio. On stage, they are a force — named one of BBC Radio 1’s Top Ten Must-See Bands at Glastonbury, featured on Germany’s legendary Rockpalast, and selected to perform during the London Olympics. They’ve toured alongside Deep Purple, Status Quo, Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, and Warren Haynes, building a loyal international following the old-fashioned way: by delivering night after night.

Their forthcoming 2026 release, Salt Roots, signals a new chapter — recorded live in the room, capturing the sweat, risk, and electricity of real musicians playing together. The album dives into themes of identity, belonging, and connection to the land, reflecting the band’s deep ties to their coastal home.

Wille and the Bandits first electrified the PwF stage in August 2019 and now return for a second run. With a sound shaped by salty air and restless seas, they bring grit, groove, and soul — and leave it all on the stage