UK Americana Music Week returns to London in January 2025 03 Dec 2024
Celebrating the Best in Americana Music with Performances, Awards, and Industry Insights Including:
UK AMERICANA AWARDS, THURSDAY JANUARY 23
Candi Staton, Lyle Lovett and CMAT to be honoured with Special Awards
SHOWCASES AND CONFERENCE, TUESDAY 21 & WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY
EXCLUSIVE FILM PREMIERE, MONDAY 20 JANUARY
TICKETS NOW ON SALE:
https://americanafestuk.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
The highly anticipated UK Americana Music Week, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, 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. This multifaceted event will bring fans, artists, and industry professionals together for an immersive week of music, awards, discussion, and networking.
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.
The event is proudly supported by Sweet Home Alabama, who are headline sponsors again for the fourth year, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) , PPL, PRS for Music, Concord, Thirty Tigers, Uncut, Musicians’ Union, Americana Music Sweden, and the US Americana Music Association.
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
AMA-UK Special Awards
International Lifetime Achievement Award
Selected by the board members, their highest honour is awarded to an international artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2025 recipient will be Candi Staton
International Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an international artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient will be Lyle Lovett
UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an artist, duo or group from the UK or Ireland that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient will be CMAT
SHOWCASE LINE-UP
Altameda â— Annie Dressner â— Annie Keating â— Beth Bombara â— Celeigh Cardinal â— Chloe Foy â— Chris Acker â— Daniel Kimbro â— Danni Nicholls â— Digging Roots â— Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best â— Ella Spencer â— Ferris & Sylvester â— Georgia van Etten â— Grayling â— Jade Turner â— James Hodder â— Jill Jackson â— Joe Harvey-Whyte & Bobby Lee â— Jonny Morgan â— Julian Taylor â— Liam Cromby â— Logan Richard â— Logan Staats â— Louis Brennan â— Madeleine Roger â— Malin Pettersen â— Our Man in the Field â— Peter Bruntnell â— Robbie Cavanagh â— Robert Vincent â— Rube & Rake â— Run Remedy â— Ryland Moranz â— Sarah Jane Scouten â— Savannah Gardner â— Simeon Hammond Dallas â— Steady Habits â— Tapes For Diane â— The Dreaming Spires â— The East Pointers â— The Once â— The Lucky Ones â— The Roseline â— Toria Wooff â— Trevor Moss & Hannah Lou â— Viv & Riley â— Willie Watson
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for UK Americana Music Week, powered by Sweet Home Alabama are available now:https://americanafestuk.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options
NEWS & PRESS
beatBread Surpasses $100 Million in Deal Funding as Company Marks its Fifth Anniversary
1700 Deals Representing 67 Billion Streams Funded,With Platform Expanding To 42 Countries beatBread, a leader in funding for independent labels and musicians, today announced a series of major milestones that underscore its accelerating global scale and industry impact as it celebrates...more
BDi Music signs exclusive worldwide publishing deal with artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow
Critchlow has had significant support at radio at DSPs. BDi Music has signed emerging artist, producer and topliner Jack Critchlow to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Hailing from the North of England, 22-year-old Critchlow is one of the most exciting upcoming acts...more
Bucks Music Group appoints Rick Lansdell as COO alongside key promotions
Flash Taylor, James Paterson, Rhiannon Bramley, Maria McDonald, Sevana Mehrunnesa and Andrea Loizidou all step up at independent publisher. Bucks Music Group has announced the appointment of Rick Lansdell as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, as well as a number of...more
Tyler West and Chloe Burrows announced for KISS Breakfast Show
KISS have announced that Tyler West will be the new host of the KISS Breakfast Show. However, he won’t be alone as podcaster and TV personality, Chloe Burrows, will be joining KISS as his co-presenter. Tyler and Chloe will be taking over KISS Breakfast when,...more
Live Music Company DHP Family Brings Two Senior Women To The Board
Two senior colleagues have joined the board of DHP Family, the live music company behind a host of iconic live music venues, award-winning festivals and a thriving concerts business. Julie Tippins becomes a non-executive director as she steps away from the...more
Music League and Roxxem Win Music Tectonics’ 2025 Swimming with Narwhals Startup Competition
Music Tectonics is here to shout about the winners of its annual Swimming with Narwhals competition for innovative startups in music tech. These winners show how music is everywhere, shifting the status quo of media, tech, and entertainment. This year, two...more
Guided By Voices Frontman Robert Pollard Inks Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Administration Deal with Third Side Music
TSM to represent Pollard’s entire song catalog of 40+ GBV albums, including the new album Thick, Rich and Delicious released on Oct.31 via Rockathon Records, plus his solo works. MONTREAL (DECEMBER 9, 2025)— Robert Pollard, frontman of iconic indie-rock band Guided By Voices (GBV), has signed...more
Audiomack Partners with Soundcharts to Highlight Global Music Growth
Soundcharts, the music industry data analytics platform known for illuminating global music growth, and Audiomack, the artist-first music streaming and discovery platform, today announced a partnership to highlight visibility into African streaming data and music trends. The partnership integrates Audiomack playlists...more
Symphonic Distribution Unveils ‘Your Story 2025’ Year-End Recap for Clients, Pays Over $100M to Independent Artists in 2025
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, is giving its clients the opportunity to share their stats from the year with Your Story 2025, a year-end recap tool that helps them celebrate their...more
Believe expands expertise in deep data marketing with the appointment of Darya Pourshasb as Chief Marketing Officer and the acquisition of her company, ampd Method
Global artist development company Believe announces today the appointment of Darya Pourshasb as Chief Marketing Officer, who will report to Founder and CEO Denis Ladegaillerie. With this appointment, Believe expands its in-house expertise and capabilities in deep data marketing and...more
Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia unveils strategic promotions
Key leaders will help strengthen regional roster and accelerate global artist export Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia today announced a slate of key leadership promotions designed to strengthen its domestic artist pipeline and accelerate the global export of music from...more
Reactional Music and MusicInfra partner to build next-generation music rights management solution for games and emerging platforms
Partnership enables new revenue streams, accurate compensation for creators, and the streamlining of music licensing for all game developers Reactional Music, the leading music personalisation platform for gaming, and The Music Infrastructure Company (MusicInfra), which offers modern, modular rights management, today...more
Craig Kallman appointed Chief Music Officer of Warner Music Group
Renowned Leader Takes on Elevated Central Role Following More Than Three Extraordinary Decades at Atlantic Records Will Also Sign New Artists to Big Beat, the Pioneering Label Originally Founded by Kallman Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced that renowned music executive Craig Kallman has...more
TikTok reveals the Top Artists and Songs of 2025
Pretty Little Baby by Connie Francis is TikTok's Global Song of the Year Taylor Swift was the Global Most-Saved Artist in 2025 Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne is TikTok's UK Song of the Year KATSEYE is TikTok's Global Artist of the Year Anxiety by Doechii is TikTok's Music Trend of...more
Warner Music India and Rthyms.Life Join Forces to Amplify the Next Global Sound
Warner Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Rthyms.Life, a pioneering creator-first music ecosystem, to help amplify India’s unique sounds on the global stage. This alliance cements Rthyms.Life’s position as a trusted and transparent platform for artists, offering a full-stack...more
A Greener Future Reveals Europe’s Greener Arenas in 2025
Arenas from across the globe have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability in 2025 by achieving AGF’s Greener Arena Certification. Recipients include Ancienne Belgique, Brussels (BE), Co-op Live, Manchester (UK), M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool (UK) and AsiaWorld-Expo (HK). Receiving certification for a...more
The O2 and Music Venue Trust Forge Landmark Commitment to Fuel Future Talent
Venue Pledges Direct Financial Support for Grassroots Music Venues in Recognition of Every First-Time Arena Headliner The O2 and Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of grassroots music venues across the UK, today announce a groundbreaking new commitment...more
Quarters Brighton Launches Partnership With AudioActive
Brighton's newest cultural hub joins forces with the youth music charity to create opportunities for emerging artists and the next generation of music industry talent… Quarters Brighton, the newest venue from Amaad Venues, is proud to announce a pioneering partnership with...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Breakthrough Singer-Songwriter Odeal
Sony Music Publishing announced today the signing of breakthrough singer, songwriter and artist Odeal to a worldwide publishing agreement. At just 25 years old, Odeal has quickly emerged as one of music’s most dynamic new voices, capturing audiences around the globe...more
Jack Whitehall heads back to Manchester to host the BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard
JACK'S "ODE TO MANCHESTER", FROM THE CURRY MILE TO CORONATION STREET, NOW LIVE - WATCH HERE PUBLIC TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10AM FROM BRITS.CO.UK SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard today announce that award-winning...more
Wilful Publicity to rebrand as Wilful & Sullivan
David Sullivan becomes co-director of the music PR agency alongside founder William Luff Twelve years after launching Wilful Publicity, Founder and Managing Director William Luff is delighted to announce that the company will be re-branding as Wilful & Sullivan Publicity, in...more
Attitude is Everything marks 25 years of transforming accessibility in live music and events
Attitude is Everything (AiE), the UK charity that has transformed access and inclusion across live music and events, marks its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a renewed call for industry-wide action. Founded in 2000 by Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is...more
Tomorrow’s Warriors x Fontana announce Career Mentoring Scheme
Award-winning talent development organisation, creative producer and charity Tomorrow’s Warriors today announced a new partnership with Fontana (Universal Music UK) to deliver an innovative Career Mentoring Scheme to 12 emerging Warrior musicians. This marks the third round of the initiative, which...more
Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall - The essential concert series returns for 2026
Incredible gigs raising funds for young people with cancer ‘Cureator’ ROBERT SMITH announces today: ELBOW plus special guests MRCY ROBERT SMITH’S COMEDY FAVOURITES featuring MAISIE ADAM, BRIDGET CHRISTIE, JACK DEE, ANDY HAMILTON, DOM JOLY, MILES JUPP, ATHENA KUGBLENU, STEWART LEE, DARA Ó BRIAIN MOGWAI...more
£800 Million Won’t Create Jobs if Businesses Are Being Priced Out Says NTRIA
Statement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association:“The Government’s announcement of £800 million to tackle youth unemployment risks missing the point entirely if the businesses that create jobs are being priced out of existence. You cannot subsidise people into...more
CMAT extends long-term global deal with AWAL
BRIT Award-nominated and 2x Mercury Prize-shortlisted Irish superstar CMAT has signed another long-term deal with label partner AWAL. After the widely successful release of her album EURO-COUNTRY, which debuted #1 on the Irish charts (her third #1 Irish album with...more
AIF statement on new inquiry into UK live music industry competition and market functioning
A statement from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) CEO John Rostron regarding the newly announced Business And Trade Committee inquiry into issues impacting competition and market functioning within the UK's live music industry. "AIF welcomes the newly announced Business And Trade Committee inquiry into...more
BBC Introducing launches in America
BBC Introducing in America will launch in Tennessee on Friday 5 December with a new show airing on the first Friday of every month. The new programme will see BBC Introducing join forces with college radio shows, piloting in Tennessee, to...more
Reservoir announces publishing deal with female-led disco-soul band Say She She
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a global publishing deal with Nya Gazelle Brown, Sabrina Cunningham, and Piya Malik, who together comprise Brooklyn-based band Say She She. The deal includes each member of the band’s...more
Distiller Music Publishing and Alternative Songs announce joint venture co-signing of Poppy Baskcomb to worldwide publishing deal
Distiller Music Publishing and Alternative Songs today announce a joint venture co-signing of acclaimed songwriter and artist Poppy Baskcomb to a worldwide publishing agreement. The news arrives as singer-songwriter Poppy Baskcomb celebrates her debut UK Top 40 singles chart hit...more
THE HEADLINES
TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
IMPF says members should reject AI deals that do not value songs properly (see News)
Which songs do we replay the most? (see Analysis)
Spotify Wrapped 2025 goes live (see Digital)
Daddy Yankee files lawsuit against former manager and third parties for alleged royalty scheme (see News)
EU touring: Impact of Brexit worsening, says UK Music report (see Reports)
ORCA released a report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels (see Reports)
Jorja Smith’s label requests share of royalties from ‘AI-cloned’ song (see News)
A creative nation is a thriving nation (see Opinion)
Australian report also highlights how other non-US English-speaking countries are hit by algorithms (see Reports)
AI slop: Spotify, Tunecore, and credibility (see Comment)