After the disruption of the last few years, live country music was back in a big way in 2023, with festivals galore and big name artists crossing the pond to play sell out shows at venues of all sizes – whether they were visiting for the first time, building a fan base or making their long-awaited returns after years away.
We were lucky enough to go to plenty of those shows on behalf of EF Country – read our roundup of our favourites here – but as the year draws to a close, now it’s time to look ahead to 2024. There’s a huge number of acts headed to the UK next year, performing at venues around the country, and several of them are already selling out shows – a real testament to the growth of country music in the UK over the last few years. The festivals aren’t looking too shabby either, with C2C featuring the likes of Kane Brown, Brad Paisley and Old Dominion as its headliners in March, whilst Highways returns for two days in May with top billing for Brett Young and the Cadillac Three.
It was a challenge to get down to just five – honourable mention goes to Tyler Childers, who’s bringing his band The Food Stamps and his Mule Pull Tour to Glasgow, Manchester and London in February – but without further ado, here’s the artists we’re most looking forward to seeing head over here in the next few months. Catch you down the front!
1: Ashley McBryde (January 2024)
It’s no secret that we’ve been huge fans of Ashley McBryde since her first UK show all the way back in 2018 at C2C. Having cemented herself as a favourite among fans here for her distinctive vocals, arresting stage presence and raw, honest lyrics, she makes her first trip back for 18 months following the release of two huge albums – solo project The Devil I Know and Lindeville, which brought together an array of stars including Brandy Clark, Caylee Hammack, Pillbox Patti and TJ Osborne. Her nine-date run of January shows, supported by Corey Kent and Harper O’Neill, looks set to be her biggest yet, and you’ll find us singing along at full volume to female empowerment anthems like ‘Bonfire At Tina’s’ or sobbing our hearts out to the tear-jerker ‘Learn To Lie’.
Get tickets here: https://www.ashleymcbryde.com/tour
2: Jordan Davis (February 2024)
He was a favourite of many at this year’s C2C and this February Jordan Davis is back for his first ever UK headline tour, having previously played here when he opened for Old Dominion in 2019. Playing eight shows in London, Cambridge, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast, and with support from Ashley Cooke, he’s set to wow with his silky rich vocals, playful melodies and engaging performance. We’re particularly hoping to hear tracks from his 2023 project, ‘Bluebird Days’, as well as his previous hits such as ‘Take It From Me’ and ‘Singles You Up’. And as he’s here over Valentine’s Day, expect plenty of his love songs like ‘What My World Spins Around’, ‘Next Thing You Know’ and the sultry slow jam ‘No Time Soon’.
Get tickets here: https://www.jordandavisofficial.com/tour/
3: Lainey Wilson (April 2024)
The queen of Bell Bottom Country and the current darling of the Nashville scene, reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year (just one of five awards she picked up at this year’s ceremony) Lainey Wilson will be back in the UK for a string of six shows in April. She wowed fans with her soulful, distinctive vocals, great storytelling and sharp yet warm humour when she was last here for C2C in March, and there’s certainly plenty more of that in store for those who are lucky enough to be seeing her live. Expect to hear songs like the wistful ‘Watermelon Moonshine’, her breakthrough track ‘Things A Man Oughta Know’ and ‘Heart Like A Truck’ with its stunning final note – as well as some absolutely incredible stage outfits!
Get tickets here: https://laineywilson.com/tour
4: Jon Pardi (April 2024)
He might have had to cancel his planned trip to The Long Road festival last summer, but this April Jon Pardi makes good on his promise to come over here and make his long awaited UK live debut. With six shows on the schedule, starting in Belfast before heading to Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol and London, the Grand Ole Opry member will be bringing his neo-traditional sound on songs like ‘Head Over Boots’, ‘Mr Saturday Night’ – the title track of his most recent album – ‘Tequila Little Time’ and latest single ‘Cowboys And Plowboys’. And maybe if we’re lucky, we might even get to hear some new music too…
Get tickets here: https://www.jonpardi.com/tour/
5: Chris Stapleton (October 2024)
Yes, you read that right. We’re already thinking about gigs that are happening in October. But when the gig is Chris Stapleton and his now-legendary All-American Roadshow, then you bet we’re already eagerly anticipating these shows! Playing five arenas around the UK and with Marty Stuart already announced as a special guest (though we’re sure there’ll be many more to come), we’re excited to see Stapleton’s guitar masterclass alongside his rich, warm vocals and gorgeous harmonies with wife Morgane on the likes of ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, ‘Parachute’ and ‘Whiskey And You’, as well as songs from his critically acclaimed new album ‘Higher’.
Get tickets here: https://www.chrisstapleton.com/tour/
Did your favourite make our list? Why not view the full list of artists coming to the UK next year: https://entertainment-focus.com/2023/12/12/where-you-can-see-all-the-country-music-gigs-shows-concerts-next-year/
