AmericanaFest UK 2023: preview
After a virtual festival in 2021, which was terrific, then a late cancellation in 2022, the wonderful two-nighter that is AmericanaFest UK is back in real life and on the streets of Hackney in 2023.
If you’re not familiar with the concept it’s a bunch of American, British, and more recently, Scandinavian and Canadian roots artists that come over and set up shop in a number of venues in downtown Hackney (in London, UK for our non-British readers). The venues range from the tiny (Paper Dress Vintage, a room above the shop) to the medium (Moth Club, a working men’s club, and Oslo, a bonafide “venue”), each with their own personality and line-up of beers.
The line-up has generally been ace over the last five or so years and the 2023 version is no different. Here, we pick our favourite acts and the main reasons you should buy a wristband - they’re an unbelievably reasonable £28.
Caleb Caudle
Keeping up his remarkably regular two-year cycle for his records, Caleb Caudle returned this year with Forsythia a quiet and thoughtful ten songs. With supporting slots from crack musicians Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush, and vocal contributions from the likes of Carlene Carter and Elizabeth Cook it was his bets yet.
Miko Marks
Returning to recording music after a ten year absence in 2021, it seems Miko Marks can’t be stopped now as her quickfire second album with The Resurrectors came out in 2022. And it’s a wonderful thing, dripping with confidence it’s a reminder of what we missed over that fallow decade.
Emily Scott Robinson
After making an unforgettabe impact with ‘The Dress’, Emily has fast made a name for herself as one of the most honest songwriters around. Her 2021 record American Siren was a beautiful thing, showcasing her songwriting and exquisite vocals. 2022 brought a twist, the Macbeth themed, Halloween released Built On Bones. This will be Emily’s latest trip to the UK and is well worth braving the Hackney cold for.
Brennen Leigh
An artist in the true traditional style, Brennen has excelled over recent years, both as a songwriter, and as a performer with Noel Mackay, and on her most recent record with Asleep At The Wheel. Obsessed With The West is a wickedly catchy album of traditional country swing. Likely playing a solo set, it’ll be a fascinating insight into the nascent beginnings of those songs and more.
Lizzie No
There’s not much new music from Lizzie since 2019, but on the evidence of that years Vanity there’s a lot more exciting music to come. Her trip to London will be a great chance to see her indie-folk in the flesh in the UK. Can’t wait.
Malin Pettersen / Darling West / The Northern Belle
Part of the AmericanaFest UK experience is seeing at least one show in the wonderful little room that is Paper Dress Vintage. It’s literally a vintage shop with a room above it. This year there’s all the more reason to visit with Ja Records putting on a showcase all evening on Wednesday. The stand-outs are The Northern Belle who released a superb record in 2021 and Malin Pettersen, who performed a great set in Hackney in 2019. (Or maybe 2020).
The full list of names is (subject to change):
Caleb Caudle
Miko Marks
Emily Scott Robinson
Brennen Leigh
Native Harrow
Treetop Flyers
Remedy Club
Katherine Priddy
Holy Moly and the Crackers
Our Atlantic Roots
Ida Mae
Mikaela Finne
Madison Violet
Jess Guise
Forty Elephant Gang
The Sadies
St Catherines Child
Del Barber
Early James
Hannah White
James Riley
Simeon Hammond Dallas
Sister Suzies
Mom and the Rebels
The Vanguards
Violet Bell
Gareth Dunlop
J Francis
Dan Bettirdge
The People Versus
Hollie Rogers
Danny Addison
Noble Jacks
Suzie Ungerleider
Misty River
The Blue Highways
Lou Brennan
The Wandering Hearts
Ferris and Sylvester
Lizzie Walsh
Digging Roots
Nigel Wearne
Desiree Dawson
Maz O’Connor
Steady Habits
Eddy Smith & the 507
Rooftop Assembly
Ruth Lyon
Louien
Malin Pettersen
Ole Kirkeng
Singe Marie Rustad
Darling West
The Northern Belle
