Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra Press Photo 1_photog Magnus Eriksrud.jpg

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra is a seven-piece acoustic band from Oslo, Norway, that has captured hearts in both Norway and the US with its unique blend of bluegrass and Nordic folk – a style often dubbed “Nordicana.” Featuring fiddle, dobro, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and even an accordion alongside four-part vocal harmonies, the group delivers a fresh take on American roots music wrapped in a finely tuned folk sound. Fronted by Rebekka Nilsson – winner of the 2022 IBMA Momentum “Vocalist of the Year” award – Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra combines original songs, classic tunes, and timeless covers into an energetic and soulful repertoire.

Born in 2013 out of a spark from the Oscar-nominated film The Broken Circle Breakdown, Hayde has grown into a force on the international roots scene. Their shows are electric – pulsing with bluegrass drive, Nordic melancholy, and soaring four-part harmonies that stop audiences in their tracks. With a setlist that leaps from soulful originals to transformative takes on classics like “Wayfaring Stranger” and “All My Tears,” every concert becomes a journey through the heart of roots music. Having already toured Norway, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, Hayde has built a reputation for performances that leave bluegrass devotees and first-time listeners equally spellbound.

Career Highlights:

Debut album Migrants (2021) debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Albums chart and stayed for 11 weeks. Follow-up live album The Broken Circle Sessions (2023) reached #9 on the Bluegrass chart.

Migrants was nominated for Norway’s Spellemannprisen Award (Grammy) in 2021. Hayde won “Vocalist of the Year” (Rebekka Nilsson) at the 2022 IBMA Momentum Awards, and was nominated “Band of the Year” in 2022 and 2023.

The band has amassed over 18 million views onYouTube, including a viral performance of “Wayfaring Stranger” (nearly 6 million plays). They have 80+ live videos on their channel, which have attracted a large international fanbase.

Hayde was an official showcase artist at the IBMA World of Bluegrass (2022, 2024) and at Folk Alliance International 2022. In 2021 they were invited for a three-week engagement at Dollywood in Tennessee, and even booked to perform on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville – opportunities unfortunately derailed by COVID.

The band has been embraced in the US, the home of bluegrass. In fall 2025 they embarked on a three-week US tour, including a slot opening for Dan Tyminski (Man of Constant Sorrow) at the Outer Banks Bluegrass “Bluegrass Island” Festival in North Carolina.

Watch:

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra - Wayfaring Stranger | Live at John Dee Hayde’s most popular performance, with nearly 10 million combined views online. A haunting, harmony-rich rendition of the American folk classic.

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra - Back Home to Harlan / Heaven and Hell / Smokey Mountain Railway | Live
A showcase of highlights from Migrants.

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra - All My Tears | Live at Riksscenen
Hayde’s frequent show-closer. An emotional, gospel-tinged ballad.

Listen To Migrants Here:

https://tinyurl.com/ywt45neh

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra Summer 2026 US Tour:

7/18- Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival- Oak Hill NY

7/19- Sellersville Theater- Sellersville PA

7/21 - City Winery- NYC

7/22- The Word Barn- Exeter NH

7/23- Ossipee Valley Music Festival- South Hiram ME

For More Info On Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra:

https://www.hayde.no/