C2C Country 2 Country 2024: What to expect!

Welcome, country music enthusiasts, to the electrifying world of C2C Country 2 Country London 2024! Set to take place from March 8th to 10th at the iconic O2 Arena, this year's edition promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the best in country music. As Europe's biggest country music festival, C2C has consistently delivered brought us the brightest stars from Nashville and beyond, and the 2024 edition is no exception. Curious about last year? Check out my review here. Wondering what to expect this year? Read on!

Friday Night Lights: March 8th

The festival kicks off on Friday night with an impressive lineup that is sure to set the stage on fire. The "Introducing Nashville" segment will introduce audiences to rising stars Conner Smith, Karley Scott Collins and Lauren Watkins in a songwriters' round-style session, setting the perfect tone for the weekend. Following this, the dynamic Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce will take the stage, paving the way for the headliner of the night – the chart-topping sensation, Kane Brown. Having seen his explosive 'Drunk or Dreaming' Tour when it hit our shores in 2023, I know that he's sure to put on quite the show!

Lauren Alaina: Known for her powerhouse vocals and infectious energy, Lauren Alaina has been making waves in the country music scene for over 10 years now. Her hits like "Road Less Traveled" and "Ladies in the '90s" showcase her versatility and undeniable stage presence. Ever since seeing her on the indigo2 stage at C2C many years ago, I've been waiting for her return to the Main Stage - definitely not to be missed!

Carly Pearce: With her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, Carly Pearce has become a standout name in country music. Songs like "Every Little Thing" and "Hide the Wine" have endeared her to fans worldwide. If you're looking for emotional songs that will stir up all kinds of memories, get ready to laugh, cry and dance the night away to Carly's set.

Kane Brown: As the headliner for Friday night, Kane Brown is set to bring the house down. With his unique blend of country, pop, and R&B influences, Brown has redefined the genre. I blasted his anthems like "Heaven" and "What Ifs" on roadtrips all throughout 2023, and he's known for having live performances that are nothing short of legendary. I've only seen him in smaller venues before, so expect big things (and lots of pyrotechnics!) in his headlining set.

Saturday Shake-Up: March 9th

Saturday promises another stellar lineup with a diverse range of artists ready to showcase their talents. Rising star Priscilla Block; half of my former fave band Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley; ultra-charming Jake Owen; and country legend Brad Paisley will take the stage, ensuring an unforgettable night for all attendees.

Priscilla Block: Bursting onto the scene with her viral hit "Just About Over You," Priscilla Block brings a fresh and fearless approach to country music. Her raw and relatable lyrics resonate with fans, making her a must-see act at C2C 2024. If you're planning on bringing any kind of pink cowboy hat or fringe to C2C, Priscilla's set is the one to wear them for!

Brian Kelley: Known for being one-half of the Grammy-nominated duo Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley (Florida) is now making waves as a solo artist. With his debut solo album, "Sunshine State of Mind," he showed us a new side to his music and finally got to shine with his own unique vocals. Looking for some down-home country? Brian's the guy for you.

Jake Owen: With his laid-back style and feel-good tunes, Jake Owen is a crowd-pleaser. I grew up on hits like "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" and "Beachin'" which made me wish for exactly that kind of summertime fun. No matter how cold March is in London, Jake will get the arena alive and kicking.

Brad Paisley: A true country music icon (and one of the first country artists I ever saw!) Brad Paisley really needs no introduction. With a string of chart-topping hits and countless awards, Paisley's contribution to the genre is immeasurable. As the Saturday night headliner, expect a masterclass in country music excellence, a trip down memory lane, insane guitar skills and witty lyrics for a fun end to Day 2 of C2C.

Sunday Serenade: March 10th

As the festival approaches its grand finale, Sunday night features a lineup that promises to leave a lasting impression. Soulful Drake Milligan; powerhouse Elle King; dynamic Brothers Osborne; and the undoubtedly one of the best groups in country, Old Dominion will bring the weekend to an unforgettable close.

Drake Milligan: Hailing from the heart of Texas, Drake Milligan embodies the spirit of classic country. With a voice that pays homage to the legends of the genre and a charm reminiscent of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Milligan brings a timeless quality to his music. Prepare to swoon, dance, and totally be transported to the golden era of country with Drake.

Elle King: Known for her genre-defying style that seamlessly blends country, rock, and blues, Elle King is a force to be reckoned with. Her breakout hit "Ex's & Oh's" catapulted her to stardom, and her duet with Miranda Lambert "Drunk And I Don't Wanna Go Home" is without a doubt one of the best crossover songs we've seen in country to date. I'm super excited for her live show, sure to be full of high-energy, electrifying performances.

Brothers Osborne: With their unique blend of country and rock, Brothers Osborne have carved out a niche for themselves in the industry. The Grammy-winning duo is celebrated for hits like "Stay a Little Longer" and "It Ain't My Fault", as well as pushing the boundaries for what it means to be a country artist. Rockstar swagger meets sibling harmonies, here we come!

Old Dominion: As the headlining act for Sunday night, Old Dominion brings their chart-topping hits and infectious energy to the C2C stage. With songs like "Break Up with Him" and "Written in the Sand," Old Dominion has become a fan favourite, and definitely one of mine too, having had the opportunity to meet and chat with the guys after their Bluebird Cafe set one year. Now with a backlog of so many fantastic songs, OD are bound to bring a stunning conclusion to the festival.

Beyond the Main Stage: Additional Stages and Surprises

C2C Country 2 Country London 2024 is not just about the main stage acts – there will be multiple additional stages featuring a diverse array of talent. From established favourites to up-and-coming artists (like some of my new faves, Carter Faith and Restless Road), the festival offers a platform for all facets of country music.

The excitement doesn't end with the confirmed lineup. With more acts still to be announced, stay tuned for announcements of additional acts that will join the stellar roster at C2C 2024. With surprises in store, the festival promises to be a dynamic showcase of the best in country music.

The countdown to C2C Country 2 Country London 2024 is on, and I'll admit, my anticipation is at an all-time high. With a lineup that spans the spectrum of country music, from emerging artists to seasoned legends, the festival is set to deliver a weekend of unforgettable performances.

Mark your calendars, dust off your cowboy boots, and get ready to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of country music at Europe's biggest country music festival. See y'all at C2C!

Interview: ALANA SPRINGSTEEN (Part 2)

Check out Part 1 of my interview with the lovely Alana Springsteen here first! Read on to discover what songs are Alana's favourite on Twenty Something, how she scored features from Mitchell Tenpenny & Chris Stapleton, what it's like being so young in Nashville, and a secret nobody knows... Enjoy!

Ciara's Country (CC): So we spoke about favourite Taylor Swift songs but of course we have to speak about favourite Alana songs too! I’ve been a fan since Different When You’re 17, but I think my new favourite has to be shoulder to cry on.

Alana Springsteen (AS): That's so funny! So many people from here have told me they want to hear that song specifically. I think we like some heartbreak bangers over here.

CC: You bet! Are there any particularly that you're looking forward to play on this leg of your tour?

AS: I can't wait to play amen tonight. I think that's always a moment when it’s played live and I've just been adding it to the set recently. I was on tour with Luke Bryan this year and played it at every one of those shows and the connection it had with people before it was even out was insane. I heard people singing back, putting their phone lights up - they must have heard it on social media or something because I was like, ‘how do you know this song? I haven't even released it yet!’ 

That one always gives me goosebumps when I play it live. It was one of those that was very therapeutic to write for me. It was something that was on my heart that I needed to say, and I needed to give myself that empowerment to live on my own terms. I hope when other people hear it, and they hear this record, they have the courage to do the exact same thing.

CC: I have my phone battery fully charged, just for amen! You mentioned there, you've already toured with Luke Bryan, and we see some pretty big names on the tracklist for Twenty Something too like Mitchell Tenpenny. How did you he end up on your track?

AS: God, it's unreal. I'm so beyond grateful. Mitchell has been a homie since we wrote you don't deserve a country song together, and he's actually co-written a lot of songs on this album - all caught up to me, hypocrites, goodbye looks good on you. That's quite a bit of the record! We met writing songs and he ended up taking me out on tour with him. We had the best time on the road - some of my favourite memories are with him and the band. They just embraced me and I learned so much. I was playing 40 minute sets solo acoustic, so the reason that I can get out tonight and feel comfortable doing that is a lot because of those tours and just doing it over and over again. 

When we wrote goodbye looks good on you together, I immediately knew I wanted to release it. Both our teams were fired up about it. We both have breakup songs that we've released that are kind of like bitter, you know, ‘you hurt me, I hate you’. But when we wrote this song, it was like, let's manifest some more mature breakups in our future. It means the world that he believed in me enough to be on this song.

CC: I was so excited to see Chris Stapleton on your tracklist too, but this time playing guitar!

AS: Yeah, actually the same thing happened with Chris Stapleton. I wrote ghost in my guitar out in LA rooted around this guitar lick, and immediately knew that it had to be someone so specific to play that part. Wheels were spinning but it wasn't until I went to Crash My Playa, Luke Bryan's festival in Mexico, so much fun. Chris Stapleton was headlining that night, and he picked up the guitar and started playing and I snapped my head up, I was like, ‘oh my god, that is the tone I've been picturing and imagining for this song’. There was no Plan B. It had to be Chris. 

I mean, crazy, long shot, everybody's coming to Chris for songs and to be a part of things, but I think most people come to him for his vocals because he's one of the best vocalists in music, period. People forget sometimes that he's such a incredible musician too. The life that he brought to the song was everything that it needed. I'm so grateful that he believed in the song, believed in me, and took a chance to be on this album. It's so special seeing his name on this song, every time I'm like, ‘What is life? This is crazy’.

CC: It truly is a gorgeous song so I can see why you both love it!

AS: Thank you!

CC: One of the things that really struck me throughout Twenty Something is that in the same way you felt about growing up with Taylor’s music, I feel like we were able to connect with your journey over the past few years too, from Alana age 19 to Alana age 22, as you are now. Your songs are so mature, and it’s rare to see someone able to handle and express their emotions so well at such a relatively young age. How does it feel to be part of an industry where many people have been around for such a long time and you’re still relatively fresh?

AS: Firstly, thank you for saying all of that! For me, it feels like even though I am 22, I've known since day one that music is what I was meant to do. Since I was seven years old and I picked up the guitar, at nine when I started writing, at 10 when I went to Nashville for the first time. In a lot of ways it feels like I have had the experience and have the ability to take risks, make some mistakes, all of that. I think I've gotten here now because of the community and the champions that I found along the way - the co-writers, my team. I'm just so grateful to be at a place where I can trust the people around me. They are always lifting me up and giving me the freedom to be my most honest, vulnerable self.

I think there's something really special about being 22 and still young and growing up because I get to bring this perspective that's like ‘I don't have everything figured out but this is me - very raw, very messy, just kind of putting it all out there’. It might sound mature, but I’ve got to tell you like it was not always pretty writing these songs and going through these things because they're very real emotions! But through the music, I've been able to make peace with a lot of these hard things that I've been through and understand them better. Now I’ve found a community from it and people that are going through the exact same thing.

CC: If this is the kind of level we can expect from you at 22, the only way is up! I'm so looking forward to everything that comes after this.

AS: Thank you so much!

CC: You spoke about your community and how long you’ve been in Nashville, so I cannot think of a person that's better suited to answer this next question - who are some underrated artists out there that everyone should be listening to?

AS: Oh my goodness. Ian Munsik is one of my favourites coming up and country music. I think he has such a unique point of view and he's just so authentic. I love this girl named Remi Wolf. She’s kind of an indie pop, a super creative artist. You can just tell that she has the best time when she's making music and you feel that so much through the tracks. The Japanese House is another one - her latest record is absolutely blowing up but I have loved her music since the first projects that she released. That's always one that I go to, she’s just so freakin’ good.

CC: The Japanese House’s Maybe You’re The Reason was my most played song of 2020!

AS: Let's go! I'm in good company.

CC: My final question for you, Alana, is what is one question you've never been asked in an interview but we'd love to be?

AS: I've never been asked what my cats names are!

CC: Tell me!

AS: My cats names are Marlow and Caroline, but I call her Callie. I just love people names for cats. Maybe that's weird, but I always smile when I say the name Marlow. She just looks like a Marlo to me.

CC: I think we definitely need to see more pictures of those two on Insta.

AS: Oh my god. They're like Rag Dolls. They're fluffy. I'm a big cat person. Just animals in general. Put me around animals, I’m my happiest self for sure.

CC: I'm ready for you to bring them on stage. Alana, this has been such a pleasure. Thank you so much for your time. I’m so hyped for tonight's show!

AS: I can't wait. We're gonna have the best time.

I hope you enjoyed today's interview! Stay tuned for more Alana and other country music content coming soon. Make sure to drop a follow on my Twitter/X @CiarasCountry to be the first to know when something's posted. Thanks for reading!