The Shires' Ben Earle says Glastonbury set was so emotional after birth of ‘perfect’ son

The frontman of country duo The Shires has spoken about his “beautiful and perfect” son — who was born only hours before their debut headline show at Glastonbury.

Ben Earle almost missed the gig because his first child, River, was born a week overdue. The baby eventually arrived at 1.30am on the Saturday, allowing his proud father to perform on the acoustic stage with bandmate Crissie Rhodes as planned.

Earle, 27, who lives in St Albans, told the Standard: “He came at a slightly inconvenient time, yes. He was due a week before and I just kept hoping he would come. It just kept getting later and later and I was like, ‘Come On!’ ”

“He came eventually at 1.30 in the morning of the Glastonbury show. I got four hours’ sleep, went to see him and his mum [in hospital] and then just made it to the show.

“It [the set] was pretty emotional. I had been awake for 36 hours. I was crying after one song. It was amazing. The whole thing was really overwhelming — he is beautiful and perfect.”

Earle said he was nervous about leaving River when he goes on tour at the end of the year. “I have a difficult relationship with my father as he wasn’t there much,” he said. “The thought of being away on tour is difficult. I feel like everything I do now is for him and my world really has changed. I want to make sure I am there as much as I can be.”

The Shires played a secret show at One Embankment yesterday before their UK tour date release today. Their second album is out this month on Decca Records.

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