AMERICANAFEST UK RETURNS TO LONDON IN JANUARY 2019
AWARDS SHOW TO TAKE PLACE AT HACKNEY EMPIRE WITH PERFORMANCES BY
NOMINEES
CANADIAN MUSIC EXPORT AND THIRTY TIGERS ANNOUNCED AS GUEST HOSTS
FOR SHOWCASES
BOB HARRIS OBE TO INTERVIEW THE LEGENDARY JOHN OATES
British Americana
fans will be flocking to Hackney, East London for 3 days of conference in
January as AmericanaFest UK returns for its 4th year. Two days
of conferences and showcases are topped off by a third day of events and the
coveted UK Americana Awards 2019.
As Americana
evolves and the charts reflect the popularity of the genre, The Americana Music
Association UK’s (AMA-UK) membership has grown rapidly
and therefore the event has grown too. The conference venue is bigger, the
talks will take place over 3 days and there will be an incredible 48 artists
showcasing at 5 venues over 2 days! To top it all, the Awards show has moved to
the iconic Hackney Empire. Bands attending the showcase also reflect the pull
of the genre and are truly trans-Atlantic, coming from here in the UK and also
the USA and Canada.
48 acts will
showcase over two nights across four venues, all within walking distance, in
the days preceding the Awards including South coast group TheSouthern
Companion who are due to release new album, “Shine A Little Light”
days before AmericanaFest UK takes place, English
singer-songwriter Beth Rowley will bring her incredible voice
and love of Blues and Gospel whilst New York musicians Gangstagrass will
add their blend of authentic bluegrass and rap. London based folk rock outfit Treetop
Flyers, Americana rock n roll artist Arkansas Dave and
crowd-pleasing indie-pop band Coco and the Butterfields are
also among the multitude of acts showcasing.
AMA-UK are excited to announce two guest hosts for the showcase
festival; On the 29 January during AmericanaFest UKCanadian Music
Export will present Canadian Blast at The
Empire Bar and they will be bringing six brilliant Canadian artists to
showcase; Leeroy Stagger, Oh Susanna, Harrow
Fair, Kaia Kater,Madison Violet and Pretty
Archie. On the 30 January, renowned Nashville label Thirty Tigers will
be hosting the Moth Club (with artists to be announced).
Other acts
confirmed to play so far are Bennett Wilson Pool, Smith
& Brewer, Amber Rubarth, Sam Morrow, Nicki
Bluhm, Mike Farris, Ethan Johns and The Black Eyed Dogs, The
Hanging Stars, Neilson Hubbard, Carson McHone, The
Hungry Mothers, William The Conqueror, Michaela Anne, Trevor
Moss & Hannah-Lou, Caleb Caudle, Amy Speace, Martha
L Healy, Noble Jacks, Caroline Spence, The
Blue Highways, Lucas and King, Wild Ponies, Birds
of Chicago, Jamie Freeman, Police Dog Hogan, Austin
Lucas and Martin Harley.
This year’s artist
spotlight interview will be conducted by BBC Ulster’s Ralph McLean chatting
with Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel. Bob Harris will
be in conversation with the venerable John Oates, whose recent
album Arkansas pays tribute to American music’s roots.
Following her incredibly well-received Guest Curatorship of Cambridge Folk
Festival, US musician Rhiannon Giddens will be giving the keynote
speech.
Giddens commented:
“I’m very excited to see what the UK is doing with the genre of Americana, so
I’m honoured to be the keynote speaker for 2019’s AMA-UK conference.”
Day one of the
conference includes ‘AMA-UK AmericanaFest UK Welcome & Board
Q&A’ followed by panels on 30 January which encompass many talking
points within the genre - ‘Diversity in Americana: Breaking Down The
Barriers’, ‘Oh Sister, Where Art Thou: Women in Americana Music’, ‘Americana
in Film, TV & Games’ and ‘Are You Export Ready?’. On
31 January, there will be a song writing workshop, film and presentation, as
well as the final panel of AmericanaFest UK, ‘Honing Your
Craft At Songwriting Camps’. Panellists will include Ian Neil (Film Music
Supervisor), Samantha Carew (Sky TV Music) and Ben Summer (Music Supervisor at
Feel For Music), Matt Biffa (Music Supervisor at Air Edel), Emily Barker
(Artist/composer) and Angela Penhaligon (Film, TV & Ads Music Supervisor)
amongst other artists and music industry professionals.
AMA-UK are delighted to welcome Bluegrass Situation to AmericanaFest
UK 2019who will be hosting a pre-showcase networking event (open to all
wristband holders) with Southern Comfort on the 29 Jan at
Night Tales - presenting amazing artists Rachel Baimen and Chance
McCoy.
The nominees for
the AmericanaFest UK Awards were announced at the launch event
last month along with the Lifetime Achievement Award winner Graham Nash
who will receive their highest honour for his outstanding contribution to
the Americana genre over the span of his career and life in music.
See Related BLOG
POST (Nov 2018): UK Americana Awards 2019 - Graham
Nash OBE to receive Lifetime achievement Award
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