Judy Blank
Thursday, Sept. 19
You might describe Thursday at AmericanaFest as “party up front and party in the back” this year. While there are heaps of panels during the day, there are also events like the New West Day Party (featuring Lilly Hiatt, Emily Nenni and others) starting at noon at The 5 Spot, the OUTlaw Queer Country show at Lipstick Lounge, also kicking off at noon (read more in our interview with organizers and performers Cindy Emch and Julie Nolen) and A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, beginning at 4 p.m. in the City Winery Lounge and featuring Rachel Rodriguez, Rico Del Oro and Veronique Medrano.
As evening comes on, The Bluebird Cafe’s 6 p.m. show (which requires a separate reservation via the venue’s website) will feature Matt Joe Gow, Robert Vincent and Sydney Quiseng, whom fans will recognize as singer-keyboardist of all-sibling indie-rock outfit Echosmith. (Sydney, in case you were wondering, this gig does make you one of the — ahem — “Cool Kids.”)
Waxahatchee
One of the hottest tickets all week is the ANTI- Records 25th Anniversary show, starting 7 p.m. at The Basement East and featuring the knockout lineup of Waxahatchee, Neko Case, Madi Diaz, MJ Lenderman, Christian Lee Hutson and Leyla McCalla. Important note: Priority for entry goes to those with Gold and Silver Passes and anyone who picks up a physical ticket from the handful that will be made available on the morning of Sept. 19 at Grimey’s (two-ticket limit, $40 each).
T Bone Burnett
Don’t fret if you can’t squeeze in. At the same time but across the Cumberland at Brooklyn Bowl, Relix hosts Hiss Golden Messenger, Donavon Frankenreiter and Greensky Bluegrass, and country up-and-comer Kiely Connell warms up the crowd for Highwoman Natalie Hemby at Chief’s on Broadway. Meanwhile, famed producer and songsmith T Bone Burnett — who recently released The Other Side, his first solo LP since 2008, and returned to live performance after a nearly 20-year absence — hits the stage at 7 p.m. at Analog at Hutton Hotel, followed at 8 by rising Nashville singer-songwriter Jobi Riccio.
When 9 p.m. rolls around, it’s time to choose your own adventure for the rest of the night. Lydia Loveless caps off a bill at the appropriately named and intimate The Purple Building, while She Returns From War shares her talents amid a lineup at The Basement that also includes Mary Bragg and Humbird. Back at The 5 Spot, folk-inspired Dutch songwriter Judy Blank shares tunes from her Nashville-recorded LP Morning Sun, followed by Music City’s own India Ramey (fresh off the release of Baptized by the Blaze) and indie-rock-mericana favorites The Wild Feathers.
Tami Neilson
Elsewhere, AB Hillsboro Village hosts standout pickers and singer-songwriters like Lindi Ortega (8 p.m.) and Kaia Kater (9 p.m). Shows are spread all across the Cannery Hall complex, including groove-centric Texans Uncle Lucius (9:30 p.m. at Mainstage), high-octane Colorado string-band ensemble Big Richard (8 p.m. at The Mil) and Guatemala-born Grammy-winning songsmith (and Parks and Rec theme co-writer) Gaby Moreno (9 p.m. at Row One Stage). And you’ll find heavy hitters all night at 3rd and Lindsley, starting with New Zealand great Tami Neilson at 7 p.m. and going all the way through the 11 p.m. set with Americana Lifetime Achievement honoree and cowpunk champion Dave Alvin, his running partner Jimmie Dale Gilmore and their band The Guilty Ones.
Ahead of AMERICANAFEST, we talk with Emerging Act of the Year nominee Wyatt Flores, run down our favorite shows and more
