Watkins Family Hour

Watkins Family Hour

Watkins Family Hour is a Los Angeles-based bluegrass group led by Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins, who both previously perform with Nickel Creek. The project begins in 2002 as a monthly informal variety show at the Largo nightclub in Los Angeles, bringing together the Watkins siblings and their friends.

The group operates as a collaborative setting for new material and cover versions, and its live shows at Largo become known for a communal format with rotating guests. Fiona Apple is a regular contributor, and the project’s wider circle includes Don Heffington, Greg Leisz, Sebastian Steinberg and Benmont Tench, alongside Sara and Sean Watkins.

Watkins Family Hour also features appearances from a broad range of musicians and performers, including Dawes, Jackson Browne, Nikka Costa, Booker T., John C. Reilly, Paul F. Tompkins, Nick Kroll and Pete Holmes. The project remains active and continues to centre on the Watkins siblings’ long-running Los Angeles residency and their loose, improvisatory approach to performance.