Americana Music Week: How PPL is supporting the genre’s growth in the UK
Americana Music Week brings together artists, industry professionals and fans to celebrate the genre and create opportunities for musicians.
Recent years have seen Americana music increasingly gain recognition in the UK. The establishment of the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) in 2012, and the launch of an Official UK Americana Chart in 2016, have helped propel the genre by championing artists and offering a secure space within the music industry.
Combining elements of roots, folk, country and bluegrass, Americana encompasses an array of distinctive musical styles that appeals to an ever-growing audience. But many Americana artists still face challenges when it comes to gaining exposure and sustaining careers.
Through events like the UK Americana Music Week and Awards, the AMA-UK brings together artists, industry professionals and fans to celebrate the genre and create opportunities for musicians.
PPL is proud to support the AMA-UK’s Americana Music Week and awards, committed to helping the genre achieve greater recognition in the UK and supporting its international network of those who create and perform music.
Americana Music Week 2025 runs from 20–23 January, with events, conferences and artist showcases taking place across in Hackney, London.
Now in its 12th year, this year’s four-day event begins with the premiere of ‘I’ll Take You There’, a documentary co-produced by AMA-UK. The film follows several award-winning UK artists as they journey around Alabama discovering its sounds, culture, and history.
Americana stars including Candi Staton, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Jed Hilly from The Americana Music Association also feature alongside local Alabama musicians, showcasing iconic venues such as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Fame Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Prior to the film screening, some of the featured artists including Candi Staton will take part in a Q&A.
The two-day industry conference runs Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 and explores the theme ‘Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025’. Panels include practical advice on making a living as an independent artist, discussions on the role of women in Americana music and workshops on songwriting and contracts.
The evenings are filled with artist showcases in venues across Hackney. Among the 75 performers are Altameda, Annie Dressner, Willie Watson, Beth Bombara, The East Pointers and many more. See the full conference and artist showcase bill.
Lyle Lovett will receive the International Trailblazer prize at the 2025 UK Americana Music Awards (image: Michael Wilson)
The UK Americana Awards
The week’s events culminate in the UK Americana Music Awards on 23 January at Hackney Church. Presenters Baylen Leonard, Bob Harris OBE, BBC Radio Ulster’s Ralph McLean, Paul Sexton and Immy Doman will hand out awards including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year – celebrating both homegrown and international talent.
Candi Staton will receive the AMA-UK Board’s highest accolade, the International Lifetime Achievement Award, while the International Trailblazer winner has been named as Grammy-winning singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett. Groundbreaking Irish artist CMAT takes home the UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award. Read the full list of nominations.
Americana Music Week is a chance to connect artists with audiences and the wider industry. By supporting this week, PPL is helping to raise the profile of Americana music in the UK and create opportunities for the artists shaping its future.
Tickets for UK Americana Music Week, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, are available now.
Article image: CMAT (credit – Arianna Mangubat)
