The highly anticipated UK Americana Music Week is set to return to Hackney, London from Monday, January 20 to Thursday, January 23, 2025, promising an unforgettable celebration of international and homegrown Americana music. The week begins with the premiere of a specially commissioned documentary film, “I’ll Take You There”, a co-production between the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK), Sweet Home Alabama, The Romano Sidoli Consultancy and Northern Cowboy Films on Monday 20 January. More details to be revealed soon. Two nights of showcases in venues across Hackney will take place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, featuring an incredible line-up of artists from around the world including: Altameda, Annie Dressner, Beth Bombara, Celeigh Cardinal, Chloe Foy, Ferris & Sylvester, Julian Taylor, The East Pointers, Willie Watson, and many more. Full list below. During the daytime on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22, the annual AMA-UK conference, the cornerstone of the week’s programming, will be held at Night Tales in Hackney. Next year’s theme is “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025,” covering a diverse range of topics tailored for Americana enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. The week’s events will culminate in the prestigious UK Americana Music Awards, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, hosted at Hackney Church on Thursday 23 January, where standout achievements in Americana music from the past year will be celebrated. The AMA-UK Board’s Special Awards for 2025 honour: Iconic, multi-platinum singer and songwriter Candi Staton – International Lifetime Achievement Award; Four times Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett – International Trailblazer Award; and acclaimed Irish singer, songwriter and musician CMAT – UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award. Categories for the eight panel and member-voted Awards include UK and International Artist of the Year, UK and International Album of the Year, Live Act of the Year, and more. Nominees feature leading talents in the global Americana genre such as: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Waxahatchee, Bonny Light Horseman, Jason Isbell, Charley Crockett, Larkin Poe, Sierra Ferrell, Kacey Musgraves, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Julian Taylor & Allison Russell, Lizzie No, Elles Bailey, Robert Vincent, Katherine Priddy, Nina Nesbitt, Hannah White, The Heavy Heavy and Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand. Full list below. Award Nominations: UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR Elles Bailey Ferris & Sylvester Hannah White Katherine Priddy Robert Vincent The Heavy Heavy UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR Elles Bailey – Beneath The Neon Glow Hannah White – Sweet Revolution Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand – Willson Williams Nina Nesbitt – Mountain Music The Hanging Stars – On A Golden Shore The Heavy Heavy – One of a Kind UK SONG OF THE YEAR Blue Rose Code – “Sadie” Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses” Jack Francis – “Failure” Nina Nesbitt – “Pages” Our Man In The Field – “L’Etranger” Robert Vincent – “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR Ashley Campbell Henry Senior Jr Joe Coombs Joe Harvey White Joe Wilkins Keiron Marshall INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bonny Light Horseman Charley Crockett Jason Isbell Larkin Poe Sierra Ferrell Waxahatchee INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR American Aquarium – The Fear Of Standing Still Bonny Light Horseman – Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well Kyshona – Legacy Willie Watson – Willie Watson INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Empty Trainload of Sky” Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo” Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways” Kyshona – “The Echo” Lizzie No – “The Heartbreak Store” Sierra Ferrell – “American Dreaming” LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez) Campbell Jensen Danny & The Champions of the World Kezia Gill Lola Kirke Morganway Savannah Gardner Skinny Lister The Heavy Heavy Wunderhorse To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com