Well, here at last, here at last, the wonder that is AmericanaFest is finally with us. The Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) are taking over four venues and five stages tonight with a grand total of 30 artists and bands performing across the evening. The venues are the cosy Moth Club, the fabulous Paper Dress Vintage, the big staged Oslo and the frequently rammed Night Tales stage 1 and stage 2. At Moth Club, Paper Dress Vintage and Night Tales 1 the music starts at 6:00PM and concludes at 10:40PM whilst on Night Tales 2 and Oslo the music starts at 6:15PM and concludes at 10:55PM. Fifty is too many to highlight all at once, but if you have yet to get your guide to the night (available when you sign up at the Conference or pick up Tickets from Night Tales) then here’s just a few of tonight’s offerings.
Niall McCabe from Clare Island kicks off proceedings at Night Tales 1, showcasing songs from his upcoming solo debut album ‘Rituals‘, which gets a release on February 16th. He’s an accomplished finger-style guitar player, and has previously provided vocals for Irish trad-fusion band Beoga, touring Ireland, Europe and the USA.
Over at Night Tales 2 there will be an opportunity to catch a set by Lizzie No, almost certainly featuring music from her latest album ‘Halfsies‘ – it’ll surely be a highlight of the evening.
However, if you’re looking for something a bit more Country in feel – but with a twist then you could do worse than head to the delightfully intimate Paper Dress Vintage for Dylan Earl – great songs with a voice to die for.
Moth Club, as we’ve previously mentioned, is hosting Canada House for an all Canadian evening – and one of the performers is the Cape Breton band Villagers whose sound is a balance of rock and folk, the kind of thing that might appeal to a fan of Bonny Light Horseman. And they have a groove.
Fresh from supporting The Milk Carton Kids at The Barbican, Jenny Owen Youngs returns to London to appear on the Night Tales 2 stage, with her engaging between song banter and some killer songs. Is it just me or does this have somewhat of a John Grant feel to it?
Closing the night out at Oslo there’ll be Michelle Stodart, who needs no introduction. Her latest album is ‘Invitation‘, which covers a lot of ground from piano ballads to edgy folk-Americana like this next song.
But of course there is a lot more – another 44 bands and artists – and it’s really true that sometimes the best set is the person you didn’t think you were going to see. So, if one of the stages is inaccessible – they can get busy – just try another – they’re all within a stone’s throw of each other so what do you have to lose?
