Three nights of partying country style at C2C are almost here…turn the volume up on the fourth (and penultimate) Countdown Focus playlist of 22 songs. Don’t worry if you’re working until the last minute and haven’t had time to figure out which songs you’re going to like, we have you covered with an hour and seventeen minutes of music – perfect as an introduction to the main stage and pop-up artists, as you’re getting festival ready for London, Glasgow or Belfast; before work or after sunset. Other C2C playlists here.
Sundown Somewhere – Restless Road
Restless Road is the honeyed harmonious trio of Zach, Garrett and Colton and they’re going to have so much fun with UK audiences next week. And I can’t wait to see how they’re going to snuggle up on the spotlight stage together. The midtempo guitar and kick drumming ‘Sundown Somewhere’ has an anthemic chorus.
Sleeping In My Make Up and Dark Places – Lauren Watkins
Signed to publishing and recording contracts by C2C alumnus and Grammy-nominated Nicolle Galyon, Lauren Watkins’s distinctive gravelly voice and Musgraves-esque lyricism is so good that both these songs are perfect for after sunset: he’s sleeping in her bed and’ I’m ‘Sleeping In My Makeup’ and the 90s tinged ‘Dark Places’ with sprits are high, standards are low.
Drunk or Dreamin’ – Kane Brown
It’s not a C2C playlist without a KB track; here’s to those moments over the weekend that are going to have us thinking we’re ‘Drunk or Dreamin’. Did you know KB was almost a member of Restless Road? Time for a reunion on the main stage?
Don’t Blink – Fancy Hagood
Make sure you catch Fancy on the spotlight stage, his stunning vocals on the ‘Don’t Blink’ ballad are on-repeat worthy. Could easily front a main stage arena rock band. Other appearances planned around London, and I hope Glasgow and Belfast.
Go to Bed Early – Brad Paisley
In curating this playlist, I spent a few hours on Spotify going through the line up posters and choosing tracks to work with the themes. It was only when I listened in full that I spotted the connection between Brad’s ‘Go to Bed Early’ and a version later on. Love moments like that.
Heels in Hand – Priscilla Block
Appearing at C2C23, North Carolina native Priscilla returns with her trademark sass and my favourite festival hairstyle. She hits up the main stage with her relatable lyrics as in ‘Heels in Hand’, as the early support for Brad.
Friends Don’t Let Friends – Jake Owen
Jake is. Jake just is. The guy at the party everyone is looking forward to seeing, whether he’s in the kitchen, on a stage or at a beach campfire. ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends’ is the best buddy song.
Hotel Key – Old Dominion
Who doesn’t love this OD track? Who hasn’t also wandered off with a ‘Hotel Key’ as a memory to bring a smile to your face? I’m already remembering the energy these guys bring to the main stage.
After Midnight – Jake Owen
Nothing good happens ‘After Midnight’? Jake’s goodbye to the summer is going to test that theory with this nostalgic ballad that will make you feel good.
All Night and Shoot Me Straight – Brothers Osborne
Double from the Brothers Osborne? Go on then. There’ll be people going ‘All Night’ with the after parties and club nights planned, and queuing with the coffee for the acts at 9 am. ‘Shoot Me Straight’ could have made it to another playlist, but I like the reminder here for an honest-to-goodness good weekend.
Losing Sleep – Wyatt Flores
Though no longer attending C2C, the ballad ‘Losing Sleep’ is too good, with it’s 70s sound and rich vocals, to remove from the list. Plus, it’s just been announced that Wyatt’s heading to the UK at the end of the summer.
Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King (and Miranda Lambert)
I absolutely love the energy in ‘Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)’ with that kick drum, that bass the lyrics “I’ve got some new best friends forever I met them at the bar” and the banjo chorus. This was my most played song of 2022; Miranda did it justice, but it’s an Elle song.
I Just Wanna Dance – Carter Faith
Distinctive voice – tick. Relatable lyrics – tick. North Carolina girl Carter Faith is a can’t-wait-to-see artist. Find her on the spotlight stage.
Dare Ya – Carly Pearce
How many dares will take place across C2C weekend? Carly’s banjo-ballad ‘Dare Ya’, with trademark breathless lyrics, comes from her first album; I didn’t plan a heartbreak themed playlist.
Bar Friends – Restless Road
Double R return to the playlist, because ‘Bar Friends’. Fun country and another anthemic chorus. Move over Brooks for a new classic bar friendship song? Nah, just kidding. But his metaphorical nephews have arrived.
Make The Night Better – Ben Chapman
If you’re a fan of Dave and Brent Cobb and Lukas Nelson, you’re going to love the honest, country funk of Ben Chapman, guaranteed to ‘Make The Night Better’. He might only be performing in London, but definitely worth listening to more music from Ben.
Never Have I Ever – Gasoline & Matches
Birmingham (UK)’s own Gasoline & Matches lift the tempo on the party game ‘Never Have I Ever’ and are sure to draw crowds at their shows for this energetic duo.
What Ifs (feat. Lauren Alaina) – Kane Brown
The banjo kicks off the uptempo showcasing the early skills of Kane Brown and buddy Lauren Alaina on ‘What Ifs’, which is surely a sentiment that’ll be uttered more than once over the weekend. What if we go to this bar….what if we go to this gig….what if we eat dinner in the queue….what if ….
Go To Bed Early – Hannah Dasher
Same chorus, different verses, on this Hannah Dasher song, which she penned for Brad Paisley. Raw vocals don’t do this woman justice. There’s a reason she’s known as Hannah damn Dasher in Nashville’s writing circles.
Cowboys on Music Row – Lauren Watkins and Carter Faith
Appearing separately across the weekend, Lauren Watkins’ and Carter Faith’s ballad ‘Cowboys on Music Row’ pays homage to the George Strait/Alan Jackson duet ‘Murder on Music Row’ and for that deserves a place on this playlist. Bet there’ll be lots of cowboys in the C2C rows this weekend.
What’s better than sharing good music with friends? Listen to the Spotify C2C Countdown Focus After Sunset playlist below: the songs can be appreciated in any order, with a free account.
