Feeling more refreshed than expected, I returned to the O2 for day two of C2C Country 2 Country. Day one had set the bar high, but I had a feeling that day two would offer its own unique blend of musical magic. Armed with my trusty notebook and a cup of coffee, I headed straight to catch the artists on the BBC Radio 2 stage.
The day began with an artist that I had loved the first time I saw her back at C2C in 2016, and I knew I would enjoy just as much the second time around: Brooke Eden. Despite the venue being less busy than it had been the day before, Brooke certainly didn't disappoint those of us who were there. Taking us on a chronological journey through the last few years, she kicked off her set with Whispering, a heartfelt ode to falling in love with her girlfriend while keeping it a secret. I loved how much Brooke interacted with the crowd, sharing stories and anecdotes between songs which really helped to create an intimate atmosphere in the indigo2. From the soulful Act Like You Don't to the empowering Left You for Me, Brooke's set gave us a glimpse into the progression of her life over the past few years. Each song was delivered with passion and crystal-clear vocals, before ending on the infectious Outlaw Love. Just as good now as she was eight years ago, I can’t wait to see her back on our shores again.
Next on stage was Shane Profitt, who took the stage with just him and his guitar. His down-to-earth demeanor and genuine passion for his craft immediately endeared him to the crowd. As he launched into songs like I Am Who I Am, both Shane's style and vocals reminded me of country heavyweight Luke Combs, so any Combs fans out there – Shane’s one for you! He shared with us his unconventional introduction to the music industry, running into Chris Janson in a sushi shop, sending him some songs, and being told to hand in his two-week notice and head on tour with Chris. How cool is that! His heartfelt performance of Good Luck and God got everyone illuminating the venue with their flashlights, whilst breakout hit How It Ought to Be had the audience swaying along. Humble beginnings and a bright future ahead – go Shane!
I was super excited to see the next artist – Abbey Cone – a name which had graced my Spotify Playlists more than a time or two. Making her debut appearance in Europe, Abbey brought a fresh energy and undeniable talent to the stage. She began with Who I Am Without You, her youthful voice filled the venue with a sense of raw emotion and authenticity. Het set really showcased her versatility as an artist, effortlessly transitioning between poppier songs like Hate Me to soulful ballads like the unreleased Beginning of the End (probably the best song I heard at the festival). The crowd hung onto her every word as Talk of This Town provided a poignant reflection on the highs and lows of chasing dreams in Nashville; and of course we had to finish with hit If You Were a Song which sounded just the way it does on the record. Abbey clearly has a rare talent that transcends boundaries, which undoubtedly made her one of the standout artists of the festival. Abbey’s star is on the rise, and I can't wait to see where her musical journey takes her next!
Saturday proved to be
an excellent day for amazing artists, because next up was none other than Carter
Faith. Despite battling food poisoning, Carter delivered an unforgettable
set. With her ethereal vocals, she mesmerized the audience, drawing us into her
world with songs like Cowboy Forever and Greener Pasture. If you
want to get transported to a new universe, definitely check out her music. Throughout
her set, Carter revealed different facets of her personality, from her crazy
side in Already Crazy to her introspection in Missing You, a song
she had written just two weeks prior. One of the highlights of her set was Lasso,
a song inspired by the TV series Yellowstone, which showcased Carter's ability
to craft compelling narratives through her music. As she closed her set with Man,
a powerful anthem prefaced by her candid remarks, it was evident that Carter
Faith had left an indelible mark on the festival. Carter, we’ll have you back
on the Main Stage next year please.
The next name on the lineup might have surprised a few people – Mason Ramsey, formerly known as ‘Walmart yodeling kid’. 25 million views later and it was clear he was ready to showcase his talent on a bigger stage than the Walmart aisles could provide. Kicking off with Next Right Thing and the charming Falls Into Place, Mason's performance exuded a sense of maturity beyond his seventeen years. While his cover of Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road may have seemed out of place (but again, I feel like this song is one of the ones that comes up at every country festival), Mason quickly found his footing with his original track Famous, much to the delight of the crowd. However, it was his latest release, Blue Over You, that truly stole the show, transporting listeners to a bygone era of music with its nostalgic charm. It's evident that Mason shines brightest when he delves into timeless melodies. With more songs like this and a few more years under his belt, and I’m sure he has the potential to become a star in his own right.
I headed off to do some interviews with Carter Faith (check that out here) and Lakeview before returning to the indigo2 for Dylan Schneider's performance. From the moment he took the stage, it was clear that he knew how to command the crowd's attention. With boundless energy, he ran on stage, shouting at the audience, "Are you ready?”, full band behind him. Talk about late-night energy for an afternoon spot! Launching into songs like Right Girl and the poignant Two Black Exes, Dylan set the stage on fire, whilst his performance of Dustin Lynch’s Momma’s House, which he wrote, proved his skills as a songwriter. What impressed me most about Dylan was his ability to engage the crowd effortlessly, using the stage like he owned it during tracks like Bad Decisions and Ain't Missing You. Closing his set with his most famous track to date, How Does It Sound?, Dylan left the audience buzzing. With that kind of stage presence, there's no doubt that Dylan Schneider has what it takes to become one of country music’s Next Big Things.
Half of Day 2 in the
books, there was still the Arena show to come. Keen to find out my thoughts on
Brian Kelley, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley and more? Coming soon to this blog!
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