C2C Country To Country 2026: Hot take

Every year there’s a real sense of anticipation when the C2C line-up is about to be announced. And yet it feels like every year it becomes more and more of a letdown.

Before we get into it, I’ve gotta say that obviously it’ss all about taste and opinions and I’m sure that there are plenty of people that are super excited about the line-up this year. I’m not.

Good things first though… headliners. Nice. Zach Top doesn’’t feel quite ready, he’s only two albums in and hasn’t played a show yet in the UK, but he’s red hot and Aint’ In It For My Health is a strong record. Keith Urban is someone who always disappoints in his recorded output, but live he’s a different beast and a welcome returnee to the UK and to C2C. Finally Brooks & Dunn are actually bonafide 90s country music legends and a worthy headline duo for sure.

It’s below those guys that the problems start. Well, and the fact that they’re just that, guys. Yeah yeah, Lainey headlined this year, sure, but two women (Lainey and Miranda) out of the last 18 is pathetic. Lady A don’t count. Not good enough C2C, not good enough.

Anyhow, onto the meat of the issue: Russell Dickerson. Bloody hell, is he really the best we can have to lead into Keith? Plus he’s literally just finished a UK tour. Which leads me to… Drake Milligan. He’s fine, sure, but he’s played so regularly in the uK the past couple of years, and he hasn’t even released a full album of songs.

Then TikTok. Jesus… is that really where people get talent scouted now? Byker Blankenship and Waylon Wyatt on the main stage? C’mon.

There’s a real dearth of hitmakers and arena ready talent on the line-up. Just look at any tour in the US to see where it’s at. If we had to have anyone back from the Pop-Up Stages - which seems to be a recurring theme - where are Kaitlin Butts and Kassi Ashton, two unique artists with a terrific catalogue of songs.

Scotty McCreery

At least we get the ever reliable Scotty McCreery who I’m a huge fan of, his songwriting has progressed so much. And Noeline Hoffman, one of the few non-white-guys on the bill is a real promising artist and it’ll be great exposure for her.

As ever, we’re left relying on the Pop-Up Stages to deliver the good stuff. Let’s see what happens next at C2C 2026.

Noeline Hoffman