Sar/Lou – Biography

Sarah Giles (Sar Lou Bass)

Sarah  is a UK-based professional bassist, content creator, and touring musician known for her dynamic stage presence, genre versatility, and authentic behind-the-scenes insight into life as a working musician. Performing under the stage name Sar/Lou Bass (often seen as @sarloubass across platforms), she has built a growing audience through a blend of live performance footage, practice clips, and candid reflections on the realities of working in the modern music industry.

Her relationship with music began early, first picking up the bass guitar at the age of 13, and developed a deep-rooted passion that would eventually redefine her life trajectory. Despite this early start, SarLou’s path into a full-time music career was unconventional. After spending years balancing family life including raising two children and a typical 9-5 career working in finance, she made the bold decision in her mid-30s to leave a stable job and pursue formal music education.

This turning point marked the beginning of a rapid and immersive professional journey. Since graduating, SarLou has accumulated a wide range of performance experiences, including touring, musical theatre work, tribute shows, and large-scale live events.

A key aspect of her musicianship is versatility. While she has strong footing in the UK country and southern rock scene, her work spans multiple genres, from metal, punk, soul/motown pop and rock. She has notably performed in high-profile tribute productions, having recently completed a 2 year tour with Morgan Wallen Tribute UK, the world’s biggest and UK’s first tribute to country megastar Morgan Wallen. With sold out shows across the country, countless mainstage festival appearances and shows as far afield as Canada, Sarah’s stage presence and enthusiasm to her craft gained her a growing fanbase and reputation within the UK country music scene.. 

Beyond the stage, SarLou uses platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube as a digital portfolio, documenting rehearsals, behind the scenes life as a working musician, live performances, as well as the rigours of touring and on the road. Rather than focusing solely on polished content, her social media presence reflects the working reality of gigging musicians, long travel days, preparation, and the balance between creativity and consistency. She emphasises that networking, professionalism, and reputation remain just as important as online visibility in securing work.

Visually, SarLou is known for a distinctive aesthetic that defies stereotypes, blending country, rock and gothic influences, often adapted to suit different performance contexts. This adaptability mirrors her broader professional approach: flexible, genre-spanning, and grounded in collaboration.

As a touring musician, she has spoken openly about the physical and mental demands of the job, including injury, mental health, long hours on the road and time away from home, advocating for self-care and resilience for everyone choosing a career in the rewarding but highly demanding music industry.

Now performing into her 40s, SarLou represents a powerful example of a non-linear creative career. Her journey highlights the possibility of pursuing music later in life, challenging industry norms, and serving as a role model, particularly for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Current Projects & Tours

Sarah continues to be an on demand player, with regular dep gigs, one off shows and upcoming tours. In April 2026 she was thrilled to join one of the UK’s leading Shania Twain tribute acts, Shania UP! To now, for their upcoming shows and festivals appearances which include Sarah’s third year on the Summer in Nashville and Road to Nashville festival stages. Behind the scenes, Sarah is currently working with Cody Johnson UK, a new tribute to country superstar Cody Johnson, and has recently appeared with acclaimed UK original country artist Ryan Evans for shows including an appearance at the star-studded In It Together Festival in Wales.

Recent Projects & Tours

Sarah has recently completed a 2 year tour with Morgan Wallen Tribute UK, the world’s biggest and UK’s first tribute to country megastar Morgan Wallen. With sold out shows across the country, countless mainstage festival appearances and shows as far afield as Canada, Sarah’s stage presence and enthusiasm to her craft gained her a growing fanbase and reputation within the UK country music scene.

Reflections – The Musical Legacy of Diana Ross

Sarah joined the iconic Tameka Jackson, MD Wendy Richardson and Heatwave legend Roy Carter on stage for REFLECTIONS – the musical legacy of Diana Ross in 2024/2025, which is selling out theatres nationwide.

Showreels and Past Projects

Straight after graduation from ACM Birmingham, Sarah was hired by acclaimed MD Katy Richardson as first chair for the UK production of LIZZIE for a nationwide tour in 2024, complete with month long residencies in Manchester and London.