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