Amanda Shires at The Basement East during AmericanaFest 2018, Willi Carlisle at Pilgrimage 2024
The Americana Music Festival and Conference, styled AMERICANAFEST for short, has been a staple of late summer in Music City for more than two decades. From Sept. 9-13, the fest is set to once again spread its big tent across Music City, and the initial lineup of artists you’ll be able to see at venues all over town is jam-packed.
At the top of the bill you’ll find stellar songsmiths like Amanda Shires (also a noted backgammon enthusiast) and Willi Carlisle, alongside gospel steel maestro Robert Randolph, rockabilly queen Rosie Flores and others. Peruse the announcement further and you’ll find country singer-songwriters like Kashus Culpepper and Kristina Murray and blues champ Buffalo Nichols. Locally residing soulful rock singer Mike Farris and his band The Fortunate Few will play, as will Memphis rock ’n’ soul unit Southern Avenue.Â
Palmyra, a standout Virginia trio of songwriters making great headway behind their Oh Boy Records debut Restless, is a group you might expect to see on the lineup, and they’re here. Maybe a little less expected is Pulitzer-winning Irish poet Paul Muldoon, who will perform accompanied by the ensemble Rogue Oliphant. Also a little unusual: Nick Hexum, best known as a member of alt-rock outfit 311, is playing too, as he tours amid a string of planned solo EPs.
Festival passes are on sale now via the AmericanaFest website. In addition, you’ll find details there on separately tickted events like the annual keystone Honors and Awards ceremony, happening at the Ryman on Wednesday, Sept. 10. Also announced are two kickoff events happening at the same time: On Tuesday, Sept. 9, take your pick from rocking country hero Dwight Yoakam at Ascend Amphitheater and The Secret Sisters and Maggie Rose performing with the Nashville Symphony.
