The annual AmericanaFestUK curated by the Americana Music Association UK is a two-day event, held across various venues in Hackney, East London, which this year falls over January 31st and February 1st, 2018.

 

 

The full two day event incorporates the UK Americana Awards (1st Feb) at the Hackney Empire, music industry Conference (31st Jan - 1st Feb) consisting of expert daytime panels and keynote speakers, held at Hackney House, plus an evening of carefully curated Showcase gigs (31st Jan) across four well-loved live music venues; OSLO, Paper Dress Vintage, MOTH Club and The Empire Bar - which are all within minutes walking distance of each other.

 

In all, the Showcase Festival comprises twenty five hand-picked emerging artists from the trans-Atlantic Americana music scene, chosen due to their rising popularity in music circles, including music fans, press and the industry itself. This presents the artists with an unique opportunity to perform in front of an enthusiastic public and industry figures who can open doors and help make further essential connections across the Americana community.

 

Being lucky enough to be chosen to play a showcase is a privilege that is already leading to opportunities I wouldn't have had access to previously, and with the high quality of contacts that AMA UK is becoming known for - Yola Carter, AMA-UK Member. Recipient of Artist of the Year award 2017

 

The Showcases are an absolute highlight of AmericanaFestUK and Showcase only wristbands are available for £25, which includes entry to all four venues - buy here theamauk.org/tickets

 

AmericanaFestUK 2018 Showcase artists include; Curse of Lono, Steve Grozier, Texas Gentlemen, Jacob Dinesen, Beth Bombara, Colin MacLeod, Donald Byron Wheatley, Jaime Wyatt, James Edwyn and the Borrowed Band, Joana Serrat, Lauren Housley, Little Folk, Lunch Special, Orphan Colours, Prinz Grizzley, Rev Sekou, Robbie Cavanagh, Shooter Jennings, The Remedy Club, The Buffalo Skinners, The Fargo Railroad Co, The Often Herd, Kashena Sampson, The Americans and Benjamin William Pike - Allocated venues and stage times TBA.

 

The Awards Show will be hosted by legendary broadcaster Bob Harris, OBE and will feature performances from nominees and award winners. Robert Plant will receive the AMA UK Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his contribution to the Americana genre over the span of his career and life in music.

 

Another prestigious headliner is to be announced in January, stay tuned!

 

Billy Bragg will deliver this year's keynote speech at the Conference, full programme TBA.

 

More information on the Conference, Awards Show (including full list of nominees) and AmericanaFestUK 2018 can be found at www.theamauk.org also find them across Social media; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram all @theAMAUK.

 

The Americana music genre continues to enjoy growth and popularity in the UK and worldwide over the past few years, with music sales, tours, airplay all on the increase. The Official Charts Company recently included an official Americana Chart due to the efforts and lobbying from the AMA UK.

 

UK Americana Awards 2018 Nominees:

UK Album of the Year

I'll Make The Most of my Sins By Robert Vincent (produced by Robert Vincent, Michael Gay, Etienne Girard)

Proud Disturber of the Peace By William The Conqueror (produced by Ruarri Joseph, Harry Harding)

Sweet Kind Of Blue by Emily Barker (produced by Matt Ross-Spang)

Brilliant Light by Danny & The Champions of the World (produced by Chris Clarke) International

 

Album of the Year

A Deeper Understanding by The War On Drugs (produced by Adam Graduciel)

Honest Life by Courtney Marie Andrews (produced by Courtney Marie Andrews)

The Nashville Sound by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (produced by Dave Cobb)

So You Wanna Be An Outlaw by Steve Earle & The Dukes (produced by Richard Bennett)

 

UK Song of the Year

Home by Yola Carter (Written by Yola Carter)

Devon Brigade by Police Dog Hogan (Written by James Studholme)

Endless Road by Worry Dolls (Written by Zoe Nicol, Rosie Jones, Jeff Cohen)

Moonshine by Foy Vance (written by Foy Vance)

 

International Song of the Year

Tenderheart by Sam Outlaw (written by Sam Outlaw)

Thirteen Silver Dollars by Colter Wall (written by Colter Wall)

Ready To Die by Aaron Lee Tasjan (written by Aaron Lee Tasjan)

Palante by Hurray For The Riff Raff (written by Alynda Segarra, Pedro Pietri)

 

UK Artist of the Year

Danni Nicholls

Laura Marling

Emily Barker

Danny & The Champions of The World

 

International Artist of the Year

Imelda May

Rhiannon Giddens

Courtney Marie Andrews

Angaleena Presley

 

UK Instrumentalist of the Year

Kit Hawes

Harry Harding

Georgina Leach

Thomas Collison

 

Special Awards:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Selected by the board members, the AMA UK's highest honour is awarded to a UK artist, duo or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the Americana genre over the span of their career and life in music. The 2018 recipient will be Robert Plant.

 

Trailblazer Award

Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates a UK artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre, recipient TBA.

 

Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award

Selected by Bob Harris OBE, this special award celebrates the breakthrough artist, duo or group that has particularly impressed the legendary music broadcaster throughout the year. The 2018 recipient will be The Wandering Hearts.

 

Best Selling Americana Album

AMA-UK works with the Official Charts Company to create the UK Americana Album Chart. This Award is given to the best-selling Americana Album by a UK Artist. The 2018 recipient will be announced in January.

 

Grass Roots Award

Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates the sometimes unsung heroes of the UK Americana scene. It is presented to individuals working in the industry (in a capacity other than as artists) who have made outstanding efforts to support Americana music from the grass roots up. The 2018 recipients are Alan Tyler and Steve Arlene.

 

Awards Nominees www.theamauk.org/awards 

Festival Line up www.theamauk.org/americanafest-uk 

Conference Programmewww.theamauk.org/conference