Americana Fest UK 2018 (31 Jan to 1 Feb) London
The annual AmericanaFestUK, curated by the Americana Music Association UK, is held across various venues in Hackney, East London incorporating the AMA UK Awards Show (1st Feb) at Hackney Empire, and the music industry Conference (31st Jan-1st Feb). This year includes a special event on 30th January for ticket holders. Read on for more info.
Tickets available from https://theamauk.org/tickets
There will be day time expert panels and talks held at Hackney House, before an evening of carefully curated Showcase gigs on 31st January across four well-loved live music venues; OSLO, Paper Dress Vintage, MOTH Club and The Empire Bar.
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.
Mumford and Sons will receive the AMA-UK Trailblazer Award 2018 and Billy Bragg will deliver this year’s keynote speech at the Conference.
We spoke to the Founder and CEO, Stevie Freeman. She gave us the lowdown on AmericanaFestUK.
How did you come up with the Americana Awards in the UK?
"We started the Americana Music Association in the UK back in 2012, we had two conferences before we felt big enough to hold our first awards back in 2016. We work closely with Americana Music Association over in Nashville and we base much of what we do on their model. I'm in regular contact with Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, he is brilliantly supportive. They have been doing awards for 18 years and we felt the time was right to do our own - we honour both UK and international talent."
You have worked with some amazing artists. This year you are presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Plant. What other big names have been Americana UK Awards alumni?
"Last year we honoured Richard Thompson and Van Morrison, the year before we had Billy Bragg as our Trailblazer winner. Not to mention our brilliant musical director Ethan Johns and our absolute hero Whispering Bob Harris who is our award show host every year."
Where have you found the new talent you highlight in the festival?
"Our awards are nominated and voted for by the membership, so that throws the net wide for nominations. The showcase festival artists are also all members who apply to play - we had over 200 applicants for 26 places this year so it was a tough call. We are thrilled to have Americana artists from all over the UK – Scotland, Wales, London, Liverpool and places further afield including Ireland, Spain, Denmark, Switserland and the USA."
Can you describe what exactly Americana means in terms of type of music?
"It's the question that never really gets answered as it means different things to different people and that's part of the joy of this genre. For me it's music that encompasses all forms of American roots music from bluegrass, country, blues, folk, skiffle, rock’n'roll to soul - I like to think it is a genre with porous walls."
What has been your proudest moment to date with the new artists you have highlighted?
"Well the thing that makes me really proud is seeing what effect the AMA-UK can have on an artist's career.
Take three artists who showcased in Hackney at our first AmericanaFestUK back in 2016 - Danni Nicholls, Yola Carter (pictured below at the AmericanaFestUK launch in November which TheZineUK attended, fantastic vibes) and William The Conquerer.
"From that night on they have all been with us to showcase in Nashville and been chosen to play multiple festivals thanks to being seen at our event, and they are all three nominated this year at our awards. These things make me feel very happy, to know what we do really is making a difference to UK artists."
Who are he ones to watch at this years festival showcase?
"Well that's still to be found out so I’m excited, but my top tips: from the UK Im going to try to get in to see Orphan Colours, The Fargo Railroad Company and Lauren Housley. From the USA The Americans, Kashena Sampson and Rev. Sekou. To be honest I want to see them all!
There is also a first for this year on the 30th: all ticket holders can come to a film screening and then live set from Nashville band The Orphan Brigade, Emily Barker and Danni Nicholls."
Photos by Jonathan Stewart Courtesy of the MU
Comments