Live events

Kelsea Ballerini is one of those rare and unique artists that sounds as good live as she does on her records. Supported by Georgia Webster, Ballerini put on an incredible performance for the Manchester Crowd in a packed out O2 Ritz – I’ve never seen it that full. I wasn’t overly familiar with Webster before she was announced as support for Ballerini but she has some well written songs that the first few rows in the crowd were singing along to. She built up an instant rapport with them as she worked the stage. She was full of energy and delivered a powerful set. The queue to meet her afterwards was extensive. Time for the main event, the crowd roared as the lights went down and Ballerini’s voice could be heard on a record. Subject to Change was the opening number as the lights came up again she was stood on stage with an enormous grin. She too was full of energy as she walked backwards and forwards, getting the crowd involved at every turn. The place was bouncing as she played a medley of hits, ‘Love You Like You Mean It’, ‘Dibs’ and ‘Yeah Boy’. All the while, the visuals behind her were well thought out and brought the songs to life even more as colour filled the stage. She took it down a notch as she went into ‘Love Is A Cowboy’ immediately followed by a cover of Dixie Chicks, ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’. One of my favourites of hers was next, ‘Half of my Hometown’ – her voice was flawless in its delivery. A highlight of the night was when she invited Webster back up on stage with her to perform ‘Homecoming Queen’. Both women did a brilliant job of this heartfelt track. But the most powerful moment was yet to come as she performed a live debut of new song ‘Penthouse’ off the project she released just last week. Her voice was full of emotion but the crowd were supportive as she sang this very personal track. Another highlight for the Manchester crowd was one of her biggest hits ‘Peter Pan’. The lighthouse visuals in the background added to the atmosphere as everyone sang along in fine voice. It was a phenomenal show from one of country-pop’s biggest talents!

Last night, in a glittering ceremony at Hackney Empire in London, the winners of 2023’s UK Americana Awards, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, were revealed. During a remarkable evening celebrating the best in UK and international Americana music, acclaimed US singer-songwriter Allison Russell and English roots singer-songwriter and pianist Elles Bailey received two awards each; Russell for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year and Bailey for UK Artist of the Year and the newly-established UK Live Act of the Year. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant won International Album of the Year for Raise The Roof (produced by T Bone Burnett) and its UK counterpart was awarded to Superhuman by Ferris and Sylvester (produced by Ryan Hadlock and Michael Rendall). London-based singer-songwriter Hannah White triumphed in the UK Song of the Year category for her self-penned “Car Crash”. Finger-style guitartist and one of the UK’s only female professional pedal steel players Holly Carter took home the award for UK Instrumentalist of the Year. The award for the best-selling Americana album of the year, in association with the Official Charts Company, was scooped by Frank Turner for FTHC. A heartfelt rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Allison Russell, Elles Bailey and Miko Marks paid tribute to the ground-breaking contribution to the genre of the late Loretta Lynn, who was given a special Songwriter Legacy Award in honour of her life and work. Her granddaughter Emmy Rose Russell accepted the award via video from the USA. Other prestigious awards, conferred by the AMA-UK Board, were presented to: Judy Collins (International Lifetime Achievement Award), Mike Scott of The Waterboys (UK Lifetime Achievement Award), Nickel Creek (International Trailblazer Award), BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean (Grassroots Award) and The Hanging Stars (Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award). The UK Americana Music Awards show was hosted by broadcasters Baylen Leonard and Bob Harris and special guest award presenters on the night included: Martyn Joseph, Ward Thomas, Robert Elms, Shaun Keaveny, Katherine Priddy, Tim Dowling, Lauren Down and Bev Whitrick, Ben Earle, Patrick Kielty, Ricky Ross, Belinda O’Hooley & Heidi Tidow, Paul Gambaccini, Andy Facer from Sweet Home Alabama and Becca Monahan from The Official Chart Company. The audience of music industry delegates, artists and fans were treated to wonderful performances from Judy Collins, Mike Scott of The Waterboys, Frank Turner, Allison Russell, Lady Nade, Nickel Creek, The Hanging Stars, The Heavy Heavy, Ferris and Sylvester, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Elles Bailey and Miko Marks. The evening was brought to an emotional close as the assembled artists, led by Judy Collins, sang “Amazing Grace”, backed by the all female house band led by Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), and Hackney Empire Community Choir. The Awards ceremony rounded off an exceptional UK Americana Music Week which took place from Monday 23rd to Thursday 26th January in Hackney, London and also featured a 4 day industry conference attended by 300 delegates and 2 nights of exclusive showcases from 80 artists in 6 venues. Marking its 10th anniversary in 2023, UK Americana Music Week and Awards has gone from strength to strength since its inception with huge increases in delegate numbers, artists involved and Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) members. Its impact has been widespread, raising the profile of the genre, providing a platform for new and established talent, including opportunities for UK artists at festivals here and abroad, and establishing the Official UK Americana Chart in conjunction with The Official Chart Company. The Americana Music Association UK continues to focus on its PRS Foundation Keychange pledge to deliver a minimum 50:50 gender balance in female participants at 2023’s UK Americana Music Week, alongside working hard to ensure an inclusive and diverse line-up across the whole event, including showcases from indigenous Canadian artists William Prince and Digging Roots.

To celebrate 10 years of C2C, world-renowned superstars Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett and Lady A have been confirmed to headline the 2023 installment of the festival. They will be joined by Nashville’s hottest and most buzzed about artists Midland, Jordan Davis, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lainey Wilson and Mitchell Tenpenny alongside prolific performers Lindsay Ell and Matt Stell. CMA’s international series Introducing Nashville also returns which sees exciting, emerging newcomers share the mainstage for an acoustic set, recalling stories behind their tracks. Further special guests will be announced soon.  ZAC BROWN BAND  Throughout their career spanning more than a decade, Zac Brown Band has had six consecutive albums reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and five consecutive albums debut at #1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart. To date, the group has won three GRAMMY Awards, sold more than 30 million singles, 9 million albums, amassed over 10 billion catalog streams and achieved 16 #1 radio singles. Since their debut, Zac Brown Band has developed a reputation as one of the most dynamic live performers, marked by strong musicianship that defies genre boundaries.  Maverick’s Top Pick: Sweet Annie  THOMAS RHETT  Ten years after signing his record deal with Big Machine Label Group’s The Valory Music Co., arena-packing superstar Thomas Rhett has 19 multi-platinum and Gold-certified No. 1 hits, 12 billion streams and the longest current active streak of consecutive No. 1s in the format (Mediabase/Country Aircheck Chart). He has been honoured with eight ACM Awards including Entertainer of the Year, two CMA Awards, five GRAMMY nominations, plus trophies from the CMT Music Awards, Billboard Awards and iHeartRadio Awards, in addition to being recognized with two CMA Triple Play awards for penning three No. 1 songs within a 12-month period.    Maverick’s Top Pick: Heaven Right Now  LADY A   Built around rich vocal harmony, vivid emotional writing and a smooth fusion of Country, rock and pop, Lady A have long been a model of mainstream success. The trios 11 No. 1s, 18 million albums sold, 34 million tracks, five billion digital streams and a global touring footprint prove that point. Known for their 9X Platinum hit “Need You Now,” which is the highest certified song by a Country group, they have earned CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year trophies three years in a row and countless other honours including five GRAMMY Awards, Billboard Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and a Tony Award nomination.  Maverick’s Top Pick: What If I Never Get Over You   JORDAN DAVIS   Current Billboard Award nominee Jordan Davis first broke through with his 2018 Gold-certified debut album, Home State and three consecutive No. 1s-including the Platinum-Certified hits “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot,” “Take It From Me,” and the Double Platinum-Certified “Singles You Up.” Most recently, Davis wrote and released his 8 song EP Buy Dirt, whose title track became one of the Top streamed country songs of all time and earned the singer/songwriter 4 ACM nominations, including Song of the Year, as well as a CMA nomination for Musical Event of the Year.  Maverick’s Top Pick: Buy Dirt  MIDLAND   Hailing from Dripping Springs, Texas, lead vocalist Mark Wystrach fronts Midland’s rich sound that is rounded out with lead guitarist/vocalist Jess Carson and bass player/vocalist Cameron Duddy. Rooted in tradition in both sound and style, the trio initially garnered attention playing clubs in the region. Their critically acclaimed sophomore album LET IT ROLL (Big Machine Records) earned the No.1 position on Billboard’s Top Country Album Sales chart upon release. Their 2x Platinum-certified chart-topping debut “Drinkin’ Problem,” which offers an intentional nod to Country music reminiscent of the 1970s and 80s, earned the band their first GRAMMY Awards nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The trio was also named New Vocal Group of the Year at the 2018 ACM Awards and are bringing listeners a resurgence of their thick harmonies, sad melodies, tart lyrics, and steel guitar with their latest album THE LAST RESORT: GREETINGS FROM (Big Machine Records).    Maverick’s Top Pick: Drinkin Problem   OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW  Old Crow Medicine Show got their start busking on street corners in 1998, from New York state and up through Canada, winning audiences along the way with their boundless energy and spirit. They eventually found themselves in Boone, North Carolina where they caught the attention of folk icon Doc Watson while playing in front of a pharmacy. He invited the band to play at his festival, MerleFest, and the rest is history. It’s been over twenty years since these humble beginnings. The band has gone on to receive the honour of being inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry, and have won two Grammy Awards: “Best Folk Album” for Remedy (2014) and “Best Long Form Music Video” for Big Easy Express (2013). Additionally, their classic single, “Wagon Wheel”, received the RIAA’s Double-Platinum certification in 2019 for selling over 2,000,000 copies.   Maverick’s Top Pick: Wagon Wheel   LAINEY WILSON   Six-time CMA Award nominee and ACM New Female of the Year 2022 winner, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry, having been named to nearly every “Artist to Watch” list, being crowned Billboard’s “Top New Country Artist of 2021,” and earning CMT’s “Breakout Artist of the Year” for 2022, the Louisiana native is one of Nashville’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her Platinum Certified ACM Song of the Year “Things A Man Oughta Know,” nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare.   Maverick’s Top Pick: Waste of Good Whiskey    MITCHELL TENPENNY   Since the release of his debut single, “Drunk Me,” Mitchell has set new standards for breakout success in country music. The 2X Platinum-certified, No. 1 hit that has amassed over 550 million on-demand streams was taken from his introductory 2018