The global pandemic hit Europe’s biggest country music festival, Country To Country (C2C) hard. It had to be postponed at incredibly short notice as Coronavirus ravaged the mainland and rapidly descended on the UK in March 2020. Then, COVID knocked out the rescheduled dates in 2021 too. So, it’s safe to say that the organisers, performers and fans are equally relieved and excited that, this weekend, it’s ON!
If you’re still looking for weekend plans, just check this stellar line-up out. There’s still time to buy tickets!
C2C ARENA MAINSTAGE LINE UP (see the C2C website for Glasgow and Dublin details)
Friday, March 11, 2022: Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore, Russell Dickerson
Introducing Nashville: Priscilla Block, Tiera Kennedy, Morgan Wade
Saturday, March 12, 2022: Darius Rucker, Brett Young, Scotty McCreery, Tenille Townes
Sunday, March 13, 2022: Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Flatland Cavalry, Hailey Whitters
Plus countless more U.S., international, and UK country and Americana artists over venues and pop-up stages, along with the usual mix of food, drinks and country merch!
Heading to London? Bear in mind that the O2’s had a face-lift since C2C 2019, so check out this map to help you get around.
Your festival map for #C2C2022 at @TheO2 📍
— Country2Country (@C2Cfestival) March 11, 2022
Please note The Icon Stage will now be located in The Observatory, head on down for some great performances across the weekend 🎶 pic.twitter.com/uKkNjn61xd
Keep your eye on @C2Cfestival throughout the event for news, stage times and perhaps even some surprise announcements!
Artists in the spotlight
As the epic three-day event across London, Glasgow and Dublin approaches, we take a look at some artists to watch out for.
Scotty McCreery
There’s immense anticipation for Scotty McCreery’s return to the UK. He built a huge following due to his affable manner and powerful voice on American Idol. Since winning the show in 2011, he’s released five albums and even inspired a Hallmark movie!
Morgan Wade
For many, a performance at C2C is the highlight of their year. However, rising star Morgan Wade is in the lucky position of being able to use the festival as a warm-up gig for her first headline tour of the UK!
21 June, 2022: London The Garage
23 June, 2022: Glasgow Oran Mor
24 June, 2022: Manchester Academy 3
Tenille Townes
Tenille Townes’ name keeps cropping up as she has a fast-growing catalogue of strong and thoughtful songs to her name. After appearing on the main stage at all three C2C events this year, she’ll be releasing her EP Masquerades in April and then returning to the UK in October for a headline tour.
17 October, 2022: Glasgow Oran Mor
18 October, 2022: Bristol The Fleece
19 October, 2022: London Scala
20 October, 2022: Manchester Gorilla
Brett Young
Brett Young is also thrilled to announce that he’s got a headline UK tour lined up after he’s wowed the UK crowds at C2C with his ‘Caliville’ sound.
11 November, 2022: Cambridge Junction
12 November, 2022: Manchester Academy 2
13 November, 2022: London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
15 November, 2022: Glasgow O2 Academy
16 November, 2022: Birmingham O2 Institute
Morganway
We’ve seen that several U.S. artists have UK tours lined up for later in the year. Local band Morganway (not to be confused with Morgan Wade!) have gone one step further and will be appearing at C2C during their UK tour! They lean towards an Americana vibe and will be accompanied by Kezia Gill, Izzie Wash, Jack Francis, Demi Marriner, Megan Rose, Becoming Branches, Andrea Kenny, and The People Versus on tour.
Tebey
Canadian performer, producer and writer Tebey was one of the international artists that had already arrived in the UK before the festival was cancelled in 2020. Safe to say he’s looking forward to the London event this year, with four performances at four venues over three days!
Friday, March 11, 2022: BBC Radio 2 Stage at Indigo 1:30pm-2:00pm
Saturday, March 12, 2022: Town Square 2:30pm-3:00pm
Sunday, March 13, 2022: CMW Hub 11:30am-12:30pm
Sunday, March 13, 2022: Bluebird Cafe at C2C 1:30pm-3:00pm
He’ll be repping his latest smash, What Was I Drinking, which beat out Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become the Mediabase Most Added chart song across all radio formats!
He’s making the most of his stay with an extra show in London, presented by Pizza Express, at The Pheasantry on March 15.
Breland
Hailed as a “streaming-music star” by Rolling Stone, Breland will be making his UK debut at C2C 2022. He’s sure to perform his breakthrough hit Praise The Lord, which features Thomas Rhett as well as choice selections from his debut album CROSS COUNTRY which is due out this summer.
Kip Moore
Kip Moore has the honour of warming the C2C main stage crowd up for Miranda Lambert. It goes without saying that he’ll be playing his new ‘revisited’ version of Crazy One More Time. It’s a fan favourite album track that’s been streamed over 20 million times.
“This song has evolved over the years thanks to the fans. When we play it at shows the fans sing it as loud as my biggest songs, and if I don’t play it it’s the one that I get requested to play the most.”
Hailey Whitters
Hailey Whitters will also be playing the C2C main stage. She’s jet setting to do it, flying over between her debut headline U.S. tour and a show supporting American Aquarium on the hallowed Ryman Auditorium stage. Not bad for a young lass from Iowa!
Check out musiccloseup.com for more music news and reviews!