The winners of the UK Americana Awards 2025 were revealed last night at an apparently glittering ceremony at Hackney Church, London. Gillian Welch & David Rawlings scooped Best International Album and Single awards for “Woodland” and ‘Empty Trainload of Sky’ respectively. London-based singer-songwriter Hannah White won the coveted UK Artist of the Year Award, plus UK Album of the Year for “Sweet Revolution”. Our very own Robert Vincent was awarded UK Song of the Year for his stand-out track “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” and guitarist Keiron Marshall was UK Instrumentalist of the Year. Jason Isbell won the prestigious International Artist of the Year Award and Kezia Gill, who has toured extensively, playing to packed houses throughout the UK, took home the Live Act of the Year Award. The Grassroots Award, which we were once the very grateful recipient of (has it been 5 years?) presented by the AMA-UK 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, was given to independent music promoter David Messer. Bob Harris chose young English guitarist Toby Lee for his 2025 Emerging Artist Award.
The Awards show itself boasted an eclectic mix of live performances, illustrating the breadth of talent within the genre, including Lyle Lovett, CMAT, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Kezia Gill, The Heavy Heavy, Willie Watson, Toby Lee and Kyshona. The evening was brought to a close with a group rendition of Candi Staton’s worldwide hit “You Got The Love”, featuring Staton herself. The show was hosted by broadcaster Baylen Leonard, who was joined by Award presenters Bob Harris OBE, BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean, journalist and broadcaster Paul Sexton, and Immy Doman and Risa Tabatznik of famed London venue The Green Note.
In addition to the star-studded artist lineup, the event also welcomed senior music executives, including from organisations such as Amazon Music, PPL, Live Nation, The Orchard, WME, AEG, CAA, FUGA and Atlantic Records, as well as many UK and international media representatives.
Award Winners:
UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Elles Bailey
Ferris & Sylvester
Hannah White – WINNER
Katherine Priddy
Robert Vincent
The Heavy Heavy
UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Elles Bailey - Beneath The Neon Glow
Hannah White - Sweet Revolution – WINNER
Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand - Willson Williams
Nina Nesbitt – Mountain Music
The Hanging Stars - On A Golden Shore
The Heavy Heavy - One of a Kind
UK SONG OF THE YEAR
Blue Rose Code – “Sadie”
Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses”
Jack Francis – “Failure”
Nina Nesbitt – “Pages”
Our Man In The Field – “L’Etranger”
Robert Vincent – “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” – WINNER
UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Ashley Campbell
Henry Senior Jr
Joe Coombs
Joe Harvey White
Joe Wilkins
Keiron Marshall – WINNER
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bonny Light Horseman
Charley Crockett
Jason Isbell – WINNER
Larkin Poe
Sierra Ferrell
Waxahatchee
INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
American Aquarium - The Fear Of Standing Still
Bonny Light Horseman - Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Kyshona – Legacy
Willie Watson – Willie Watson
INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Empty Trainload of Sky” – WINNER
Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo”
Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways”
Kyshona – “The Echo”
Lizzie No – “The Heartbreak Store”
Sierra Ferrell – “American Dreaming”
LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR
Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez)
Campbell Jensen
Danny & The Champions of the World
Kezia Gill - WINNER
Lola Kirke
Morganway
Savannah Gardner
Skinny Lister
The Heavy Heavy
Wunderhorse
AMA-UK Special Awards
International Lifetime Achievement Award
Selected by the board members, their highest honour is awarded to an international 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 2025 recipient is Candi Staton
International Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an international artist, duo or group that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is Lyle Lovett
UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award
Selected by the board members, this special award celebrates an artist, duo or group from the UK or Ireland that has taken an exceptional path, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in developing the Americana genre. The 2025 recipient is CMAT
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 2025 recipient is David Messer
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 2025 recipient is Toby Lee.
Editor of Americana UK website, the UK's leading home for americana news and reviews since 2001 (when life was simpler, at least for the first 253 days)
