AmericanaFest UK unveils gender-balanced lineup for first ever online edition

AmericanaFest UK has announced a 2021 edition, along with a star-studded lineup which for the fourth year in a row maintains a 50/50 gender balance across acts. In addition to this, the show will feature a special tribute to the late John Prine, who died of COVID-19 earlier this year.

The 2021 edition will be the first online edition of the festival, which showcases Americana Music from the UK and beyond. It will run across two virtual stages in the evenings of 26 and 27 January 2021, delivering a total of 14 hours of music across two days. Performers include Courtney Marie Andrews, Joshua Burnside, Darlingside, Jason Isbell (and the 400 Unit), Larkin Poe, Jim Lauderdale, Mipso, Katie Pruitt, The Mavericks, The War and Treaty and more – you can view the full lineup below.

Following the two nights of music, the UK Americana Awards will be hosted on 28 January. Airing just before this will be a special John Prine Tribute Show, with performances from Billy Bragg, Ferris & Sylvester, Ida Mae and more. The late John Prine is to be honoured with the specially-created Songwriter Legacy Award 2021, in celebration of his singer-songwriter’s life and work.

Steve Smith, CEO of the Americana Music Association UK said of the new direction for the event: “AmericanaFest UK is the ultimate celebration of Americana music in the UK and, in our sixth year, taking our programme online for the first time, we will also welcome a host of international names from Australia, Canada, and the US Our line-up is one of the best yet, with two nights of showcases, culminating in our ever-popular UK Americana Music Awards on 28 January 2021.

“Throughout the shared trauma of the 2020 pandemic, the creative sector has been incredible in the way they helped keep others’ spirits high with their music. The Board of the AMA-UK is determined to create an event to bring us all together again. Even if we can’t travel and be in the same room, we can still gather in the same space online to celebrate those artists who have been brave enough to release music in recent months or used their platform for good causes.

“I am very excited for the event and also very humbled by the support and generosity of the music community during these times. I, for one, cannot wait to see everyone at AmericanaFest 2021.”

Tickets for the virtual festival are available here, costing £25. Find out more about The Americana Music Association UK here.

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