C2C Country To Country: The 2023 preview
So here we are again, it’s 2023 and we’re all about Country To Country. The O2 (or the 3Arena in Dublin, or The OVO Hydro in Glasgow) is beckoning and offering to be our home for three days in March. And, because we love country music, we’ll be there again. Full disclosure though, the main stage line-up this year doesn’t float my boat in the same way previous years have, but there are solid headliners and a good mix of supporting acts - they’re filling the pipeline to use a phrase recently made popular. On the Festival Stages though, well, there’s a veritable feast for our ears. Here is our countdown of the eight acts to see across the weekend; main stage, spotlight stage, and festival stages. N.b. this article will be updated with two acts a day from Monday 6th March
Amanda Shires
Now this is a leftfield choice for what is generally a mainstream festival, because Amanda Shires is one of the most interesting artists you’ll hear this year, never mind at this festival. Her lyrics are super smart, at times witty, at times heartbreaking. With a voice of wonder, she’ll absolutely kill the Spolight Stage on Sunday. You can also catch her at the Bluebird Cafe on Saturday and the Radio 2 Stage on Sunday.
Pillbox Patti
Following a similar theme, Pillbox Patti is a singular talent who will shine bright by being a bit different from the slick country-pop sounds at C2C. Stealing the show on Ashley McBryde’s Lindeville was just the start, her own EP Florida showed her talents in full. Expect some all-out performances in London, we can’t wait. Catch Patti on Saturday on the Radio 2 Stage and The Saloon, and Sunday at The Barrelhouse.
Tigirlily Gold
Next we turn to a band with the hardest name to type out quickly, Tigirlily Gold. Most likely pretty new to UK audiences the sister duo seem on the verge of a big-time breakthrough with their current single ‘Shoot Tequila’ which covers a lot of the bases of a successful country radio song. The sisters are due to release their next EP soon and you can catch them at The Saloon on Saturday and the Icon Stage on Sunday.
49 Winchester
Ahaead of their dates with Luke Combs later in the year the Virginia based 49 Winchester are prepping the UK with a few sets at C2C. Why do you care? Well their self-styled “tear-in-your-beer alt-country, sticky barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk” is everything we want from a country rock band. Breaking out with last year’s Fortune Favors The Bold they’re set to win C2C over, like Drake White before them, with their mix of quite and loud that we love. You can see them at The Barrelhouse and The Saloon on Saturday and the BBC Radio 2 Stage on Sunday.
Randall King
If it’s authentic country sounds you’re looking for at C2C then you can’t go far wrong with Randall King. Sitting on the trad side of things, rather than the pop side of the dial, Randall’s enthusiasm for his music blasts through from the speakers (or headphones). He’s working hard over the C2C weekend, especially Saturday and you can catch him at the Big Entrance, The Wayside, and the Spotlight Stage (in the main arena), while on Sunday the 10am Bluebird Cafe sitting and at lunchtime at The Barrelhouse are where Randall will be tearing it up with a shot of whisky in his hand (I imagine).
Leah Blevins
Described as “imbued with the grit of vintage country music and the grace of gospel” Leah Blevins is very much on the outside of the country-pop spectrum and therefore one to catch over the weekend. With a keen mix of country-flecked violins and grungy guitars, all lifted by Leah’s wonderful voice, you’ll want to make your way to the Big Entrance stage or The Wayside on Friday to catch a terrific set
Jillian Jacqueline
Big fans of Jillian Jacqueline over here. Her 2022 album Honesty followed two EPs a few years before and we think she’s really underrated. That may be because her music can be quite understated and she’s not a flashy character on record, but live we know her beautiful voice and songs will shine at C2C.
Caylee Hammack & Alana Springsteen
Dropping into the main arena for the final recommendations, if you’re thinking you can miss the early slots on Friday (in London) then don’t. Alana Springsteen and Caylee Hammack are two-thirds of the Introducing Nashville line-up and absolutely worth leaving work early for! Alana’s double EP set History Of Breaking Up is excellent, and Caylee’s 2020 record If It Wasn’t For You is one of the best in recent memory. Both are super talented with catch-up songs and sad songs to spare.
Tickets to C2C Country To Country are on sale now and there are a few left. you can also purchase wristbands to see most of the artists listed here on the Festival Stages outside the main arena.
