The force of nature that is Shelley Fairchild has flashlit the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Album chart many a time, and she’ll be taking the roof off The Forum theatre in Darlington when she plays there this August.

Shelly Fairchild embodies the soulful, genre-blurring heart of modern Nashville. Because while many artists find a niche and stay there, she has spent two decades evolving from a country hitmaker into a multifaceted performer who commandingly blends country, rock, and gospel-infused blues. Her live performances are legendary for their high-octane energy and a vocal prowess that can shift from a gritty, soulful growl to a soaring, crystalline belt in a single breath. And having toured with titans like Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts, and provided backing vocals for everyone from Eric Church to Keith Urban, she carries the poise of a seasoned pro while maintaining the raw, spontaneous spark of an independent artist. Her landmark album ‘Ride’ introduced the world to her powerhouse ways and means, but it is her more recent work, like the critically acclaimed ‘Buffalo’, that showcases her depth as a songwriter. In a live setting, these songs take on a new dimension, grounded by her Mississippi roots and a storytelling ability that feels both intimate and universal. And this gig should be a real doozy, as she is set to be supported by UK Country and Americana duo, Tennessee Twin. JL

Shelly Fairchild + Tennessee Twin, Thursday 13 August, The Forum, Darlington, 7pm, £15, theforumonline.co.uk