Country to Country 2016 (London) – Introducing: Day Two
C2C 2016 is already just around the corner, and we’re on hand to help you get acquainted with the acts playing the Main Stage and the Yamaha Music Stage, which is situated at the back of the main arena and will feature acts playing in the show intervals. Here is day two – don’t forget to look out for days one and three, and our comprehensive guide to what’s on for the entire week, very soon.
Maddie & Tae – Main Stage
This young girl power duo first burst onto the scene in July 2014 with their debut single ‘Girl In A Country Song’. Maddie & Tae followed it up with the anthem ‘Fly’ early in 2015 and used it to launch their critically-praised debut album ‘Start Here’ in August. Known for their country pop stylings that incorporate a healthy dose of twang and mature, clever lyricism that bites, they are pioneering a new female movement in mainstream country.
High Valley – Yamaha Music Stage
Alberta-born duo High Valley is comprised of bothers Brad and Curtis, and they have enjoyed a moderately successful career in their home country of Canada for the past decade. After releasing four albums and countless singles, they decided to target the US, and signed with Atlantic Nashville this past October. This will be their first trip to the UK, bringing their current single ‘Make You Mine’ and their own brand of arena-ready, banjo-laden mainstream country to a new group of fans.
Sam Hunt – Main Stage
Sam Hunt previously made his UK debut at 2015’s C2C Festival, playing the free pop-up stages and proving to be very popular. He broke out as an artist in the US in June 2014, after writing hits like Keith Urban’s ‘Cop Car’; each of his own single releases has gone to #1. His debut album ‘Montevallo’ sold 70,000 copies in its first week, a huge total for a debut artist, thanks in part to his R&B, hip hop and EDM sounds that have pushed mainstream country in a new direction.
Maren Morris – Yamaha Music Stage
Spearheading the new influx of young female artists into the genre, Maren Morris has been one of the most buzzed-about new artists of late. With her debut single ‘My Church’ already doing well on the US charts and a heavily-streamed debut EP, this soul/pop-influenced songstress is sassy, creative and she’s going to shake things up.
Little Big Town – Main Stage
Little Big Town originally formed back in 1998, but it was quite some time before they became the superstars they are today. Early hits included ‘Boondocks’ and ‘Bring It On Home’, but their fifth studio album ‘Tornado’ was the turning point, spawning their first #1 ‘Pontoon’. After that they quickly became one of the pinnacle groups of the format, leading into their 2014 album ‘Pain Killer’, which produced the summertime smash ‘Day Drinking’ and the Grammy-winning, critically-acclaimed ‘Girl Crush’.
Carrie Underwood – Main Stage
The American Idol winner bucked the trend of reality show flops by releasing ‘Jesus Take The Wheel’ in 2005, as it went on to become one of the biggest country songs of the decade. Carrie Underwood began a run of #1 hits and general world domination, stunning audiences with her amazing vocals and incredible stage presence alongside huge hits that ranged from feisty revenge, to love songs, to reflections on her strong faith. In 2015 she became a mother and released her fifth studio album ‘Storyteller’, and nothing’s slowing her down.
