The UK Americana Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, took center stage on Thursday, January 23, with a glittering ceremony at Hackney Church, London. The event celebrated the finest talent in UK and international Americana and roots music, showcasing remarkable performances and honoring industry achievements.
US singer-songwriters Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were among the night’s biggest winners, taking home both Best International Album for ‘Woodland' and Best International Single for ‘Empty Trainload of Sky.' Released in 2024, ‘Woodland' marks their first album of original material since 2017 and has garnered widespread acclaim.
On the UK front, London-based artist Hannah White triumphed with two major awards: UK Artist of the Year and UK Album of the Year for her celebrated record ‘Sweet Revolution.' Known as a leading voice in the homegrown Americana scene, White’s album has been praised for its artistic growth and impact.
Other standout winners included Robert Vincent, who earned UK Song of the Year for his poignant track ‘Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow' and Keiron Marshall, named UK Instrumentalist of the Year. Meanwhile, Jason Isbell, hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, received the prestigious International Artist of the Year Award.
Kezia Gill, known for her electrifying live performances, took home the Live Act of the Year Award, while the Grassroots Award went to independent promoter David Messer for his outstanding contributions to Americana music. Bob Harris’s Emerging Artist Award was given to rising English guitarist Toby Lee.
Special honors were a highlight of the night, with legendary soul icon Candi Staton receiving the International Lifetime Achievement Award. Four-time Grammy winner Lyle Lovett was honored with the International Trailblazer Award, and groundbreaking Irish artist CMAT was celebrated with the UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award.
The evening featured an eclectic lineup of live performances, including Lyle Lovett, CMAT, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Kezia Gill, and others, culminating in a show-stopping group rendition of Candi Staton’s iconic hit ‘You Got The Love' featuring Staton herself.
Hosted by broadcaster Baylen Leonard, the ceremony welcomed a star-studded crowd of artists, industry executives, and media representatives. Presenters included Bob Harris OBE, Ralph McLean, Paul Sexton, and representatives from London’s renowned venue The Green Note.
The awards marked the grand finale of the UK Americana Music Week 2025, which included two nights of showcases across Hackney and a thought-provoking conference exploring the theme “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025.” The week featured performances by artists like Danni Nicholls, Robert Vincent, and Willie Watson, alongside panels and discussions at Night Tales in Hackney.
Supported by Sweet Home Alabama, along with partners such as CIMA, PPL, PRS for Music, and Uncut, the UK Americana Awards 2025 reaffirmed the genre’s vibrancy and its global appeal.
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
