11 Must-See Acts at This Year’s Americana Music Festival

The 17th annual Americana Music Festival invades Nashville for six days and nights next week (Sept. 20–25). With more than 200 acts hitting 14 stages around town, Music City becomes Roots Music City for the week. While it’s impossible to see every show (you’d need the ability to time-warp), NCD has you covered with the Who, When, Where and Why of 11 must-see acts at this year’s AmericanaFest.

11. Aubrie Sellers

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-aubrie-sellers

When: Thurs., Sept. 22, 11 p.m.
Where: Mercy Lounge
Why: You won’t hear any LeeAnn Womack covers, instead you’ll get a heavy dose of Aubrie’s unfiltered garage-country sound as she fuses a classic voice with raw rock.

10. The Black Lillies

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-the-black-lillies

When: Wed., Sept. 21, 11:59 p.m.
Where: The Basement East
Why: The Lillies’ catalogue is a sonic cornucopia of country, R&B, jazz, folk and rock that bubbles and boils with brass and strings.

9. Town Mountain

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-town-mountain

When: Tues., Sept. 20, 11 p.m.
Where: The Basement
Why: This hard-charging Carolina string band can pick and grin with the best of ’em . . . and their cover of “I’m On Fire” is Springsteentastic.

8. David Ramirez

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-david-ramirez

When: Thurs., Sept. 22, 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Anchor
Why: David’s 2015 album, Fables, was one of the darkest, grittiest and most satisfying of year.

7. Sam Outlaw

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-sam-outlaw

When: Fri., Sept. 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Mercy Lounge
Why: Sam’s SoCal country sound is a culture-clashing mix of country, roots, rock and resonations from south of the border.

6. Reckless Kelly

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-reckless-kelly

When: Thurs., Sept. 22, 10 p.m.
Where: Mercy Lounge
Why: For the last 19 years, Reckless Kelly has played in every sawdust-covered honky-tonk from Austin to Boston, lighting up the stage with their hard-rocking version of alt-Texas country music.

5. James McMurtry

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-james-mcmurtry

When: Wed., Sept. 21, 5 p.m. & 11 p.m.
Where: City Winery
Why: James is the consummate storyteller whose common-man songwriting proficiencies are best enjoyed live with a nice glass of vino

4. Jim Lauderdale

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-jim-lauderdale

When: Fri., Sept. 23, 10 p.m.
Where: 3rd & Lindsley
Why: Jim’s got the best hair in the game and the songwriting chops to match.

3. Colvin & Earle

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-shawn-colvin-steve-earle

When: Tues., Sept. 20, 10 p.m.
Where: City Winery
Why: Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle combine their pioneering powers to form an otherworldly duo—think of them as the anti-Sonny & Cher.

2. John Prine

 

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-john-prine-2

When: Thurs., Sept. 22, 10 p.m.
Where: Station Inn
Why: Because in some form or fashion, John has probably influenced every artist at this year’s AmericanaFest.

1. Dwight Yoakam

top-11-must-see-2016-americana-music-festival-dwight-yoakam

When: Wed., Sept. 21, 11 p.m.
Where: Mercy Lounge
Why: If you need a reason, spin-kick yourself in the face. It’s Dwight freakin’ Yoakam.

Aubrie Sellers by Allister Ann/Sacks & Co.; The Black Lillies by Spouse Neuhoff/Shore Fire Media; Town Mountain by Sandlin Gaither Photography/Town Mountain; David Ramirez by Greg Giannukos/David Ramirez; Sam Outlaw by Casey Currey/Shore Fire Media; Reckless Kelly courtesy New Frontier Touring; James McMurtry by Shane McCauley/Conqueroo; Jim Lauderdale by Scott Simontacchi/The Press House; Shawn Colvin and Steve Earle by Alexandra Valenti/Concord Music Group; John Prine by Josh Britt/Shore Fire Media; Dwight Yoakam by Emily Joyce/WMG

Blogs

These Four Women Are Keeping The Grand Ole Opry In Tune

At the heart of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, one of the symbolic homes of country music, lies a team of dedicated women ensuring its 100-year legacy thrives. Associate producer of talent Gina Keltner, director of archives and content management Emily Frans, associate producer of show development Nicole Judd, and director of artist and industry…

These Four Women Are Keeping The Grand Ole Opry In Tune

At the heart of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, one of the symbolic homes of country music, lies a team of dedicated women ensuring its 100-year legacy thrives. Associate producer of talent Gina Keltner, director of archives and content management Emily Frans, associate producer of show development Nicole Judd, and director of artist and industry…

Mickey Guyton Continues To Buck The Odds In Country Music

Variety’s Power of Women Nashville cover star Mickey Guyton has defied the odds to become a prominent figure in country music, while inspiring many with her talent and resilience. Despite facing challenges as a female and Black artist in a predominantly white, male industry, Guyton has continued to make her mark with her powerful performances…

Mickey Guyton Continues To Buck The Odds In Country Music

Variety’s Power of Women Nashville cover star Mickey Guyton has defied the odds to become a prominent figure in country music, while inspiring many with her talent and resilience. Despite facing challenges as a female and Black artist in a predominantly white, male industry, Guyton has continued to make her mark with her powerful performances…

Ella Langley And Zach Top Set To Perform At 60th ACM Awards Following New Artist Wins

Ella Langley and Zach Top, fresh off being presented with ACM’s New Female Artist and New Male Artist of the Year awards, are both set to perform at the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire. Langley leads all ACM nominees with eight total nods, on the strength of her successful debut album, hungover, and…

Ella Langley And Zach Top Set To Perform At 60th ACM Awards Following New Artist Wins

Ella Langley and Zach Top, fresh off being presented with ACM’s New Female Artist and New Male Artist of the Year awards, are both set to perform at the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire. Langley leads all ACM nominees with eight total nods, on the strength of her successful debut album, hungover, and…

Kelsea Ballerini Says She Had To “Differentiate” Herself From Taylor Swift To Avoid Early Comparisons

In a new interview with Variety for her Power of Women Nashville cover story, Kelsea Ballerini recalled the challenge of establishing her own identity separate from her idol, Taylor Swift, in order to make a mark in the music industry. She recalls an interaction with a record label executive who dismissed her early on by…

Kelsea Ballerini Says She Had To “Differentiate” Herself From Taylor Swift To Avoid Early Comparisons

In a new interview with Variety for her Power of Women Nashville cover story, Kelsea Ballerini recalled the challenge of establishing her own identity separate from her idol, Taylor Swift, in order to make a mark in the music industry. She recalls an interaction with a record label executive who dismissed her early on by…

Beyonce Kicks Off Cowboy Carter Tour In LA With The Help Of Her Kids, Blue Ivy And Rumi

Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter Tour on Monday night (April 28) with a nearly three-hour performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The 35-time Grammy winner looked resplendent in an all-white outfit complete with cowboy hat, boots, and fringed jacket, with backup dancers dressed in similar attire. The 39-song set focused on Beyoncé’s 2024 Album…

Beyonce Kicks Off Cowboy Carter Tour In LA With The Help Of Her Kids, Blue Ivy And Rumi

Beyoncé launched her Cowboy Carter Tour on Monday night (April 28) with a nearly three-hour performance at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The 35-time Grammy winner looked resplendent in an all-white outfit complete with cowboy hat, boots, and fringed jacket, with backup dancers dressed in similar attire. The 39-song set focused on Beyoncé’s 2024 Album…