We're only a week away from the biggest Country music festival in the world now! Nashville hosts the CMAFest every year and every year the town is blessed with the biggest names in Country music and the rising stars of the genre playing some of the most interesting and diverse stages around.
We'll be flying out from London next week to sample everything the festival has to offer but we wanted to give you a pathway to enjoying the festival outside of the Nissan Stadium, where the biggest names are playing for four nights from June 6th. Here's our guide to 10 ‘must see' artists playing some of the smaller stages around town.
Thursday June 6th 11.35am – Fancy Hagood (Hard Rock Stage)
Fancy Hagood has been making waves for a few years now and he wowed the crowds at C2C earlier this year. Armed with a stellar voice and a knack for tugging on the heartstrings with his storytelling, Fancy won us over with his album ‘Southern Curiosity' in 2021. With a new album on the way, Fancy is set to be a huge star and he's helping to change the face of Country music in the process.
Thursday June 6th 9.35pm – Canaan Smith (Hard Rock Stage)
Round out your first day at CMA Fest with Platinum singer-songwriter Canaan Smith. With two albums under his belt, and a new one on the way, Smith has hits for days. Always an energetic performer you can expect heavy guitars, strong vocals and Country Boy authenticity. It's been a while since Smith has been in the UK so if you're in Nashville for CMA Fest, make sure you go down to see him blow the crowd away.
Friday June 7th 10.15am – Chris Housman (Good Molecules Reverb Stage)
One of our favourite new discoveries, Chris Housman is a rarity in Country music – and out-and-proud gay man who isn't toning down his music to be palatable to middle America. His latest song ‘Guilty as Sin' is one of the sexiest songs we've heard in Country music for years and his debut album ‘Blueneck' is sure to help him catapult to the next stage of his career.
Friday June 7th 1.35pm – Shaboozey (Good Molecules Reverb Stage)
One of the newer names on the line-up this year, Shaboozey garnered a lot of attention after appearing on Beyoncé's divisive album ‘Cowboy Carter'. Now Shaboozey is riding high in his own right with ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)', which is very close to getting him a number one hit in the UK and the US (and it's topped the US Hot Country Songs chart already). Part of the new generation of Country music, Shaboozey is blazing new paths for diverse and under-represented artists in the genre to follow.
Saturday June 8th 10.15am – Dasha (Chevy Vibes stage)
Want to see the singer of one of the year's biggest viral hits? You'll enjoy ‘Austin' for sure but Dasha has a ton of other great songs in her locker that will make her appearance on the Chevy vibes early Sunday an unmissable moment in the life of the festival. If you don't believe us, check out our review of her ‘What Happens Now' album here.
Saturday June 8th 11.30am – Chayce Beckham (Chevy Riverfront Stage)
Beckham's new album, ‘Bad For Me' is in out Top 3 of the year list so far. With its blend of heartfelt ballads, energetic romps, and introspective musings on redemption, love and loss, this album is sure to captivate audiences and firmly solidify Chayce Beckham’s emerging place in the country music narrative. Don't miss out on a chance to see this powerful artist in a relatively intimate atmosphere – bring some sun cream though – the Riverfront stage can b an unforgiving venue on hot days!
Saturday June 8th 1pm – George Birge (Chevy Riverfront Stage)
Possibly our favourite new male artist of recent times and one of the nicest people we've had the pleasure to interview this year. Birge's new EP ‘Cowboy Songs' is simply stunning – brimming with melodies and singalong choruses which makes this artist a Nissan Stadium performer in waiting in our eyes.
Saturday June 8th 2.55pm – Walker County (Hard Rock Stage)
Embracing their newfound freedom, Walker County have seized the opportunity to create music that truly resonates with their hearts on new album ‘Painted Ponies.' With a determination to stay true to their roots and craft authentic country music, sister duo Ivy Dene and Sophie Dawn have embarked on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression, which is a testament to their unwavering dedication to their craft and their willingness to break the rules in pursuit of their musical vision. They will put on an engaging and energetic show and we recommend you see it!
Sunday June 9th 12.30pm – Tigirlily Gold (Chevy Vibes Stage)
What an 18 months sisters Kendra and Krista have had. With their debut album, ‘Blonde' on the horizon you can almost feel the zeitgeist and the buzz around what they are doing right now. ‘I Tried a Ring On' is our absolute favourite song of 2024 so far and if it doesn't reach snumber one in in the next few months there will be no justice in the world. Read our latest interview with them right here.
Sunday June 9th 3.30pm – Tyler Farr (Dr Pepper Stage)
Since Tyler has never been to the UK so the only time we've got to see him live was at CMAFest in 2022 and he didn't disappoint! Here's another chance to see classics like ‘Redneck Crazy' and ‘A Guy Walks into a Bar' live and in a fairly intimate and accessible atmosphere.
We hope this guide gives you some help in planning out was is Country music's best four days of the year! We'll see you there. Get the last remaining tickets here.
