The British Country Music Festival (TBCMF) continues to break down barriers for homegrown artists by positioning a UK singer-songwriter as a headliner alongside American counterparts for this year’s event in Blackpool, taking place on 30 August to 01 September 2024.

UK powerhouse Kezia Gill has been given the top spot on the first night of the indoor festival at the Winter Gardens, whilst Texan born Randall King headlines on Saturday and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen-Chapman takes centre stage on Sunday.

Kezia Gill originally performed on a support stage at TBCMF when it launched back in 2019 and since then she has been invited to perform on support stages at C2C and secured national airplay and praise from the legendary Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2. She has had her own headline tour that sold out in venues across the UK and promoters Fit The Bill feel the time is right for her to stand shoulder to shoulder with American artists.

Martin Blore, promoter of TBCMF said: “Kezia has developed a very loyal and supportive fanbase in the UK and as a live performer, years of honing her craft shine through, she rocks the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool. TBCMF launched to provide a platform primarily for UK singer-songwriters and it has been a constant frustration to us that all too often, our homegrown talent loses out to American artists for the headline spots.”

He added: “We know that promoters have to think about selling tickets and the bigger the fanbase, the more money they can earn, but we should also be providing a springboard and opportunities to help homegrown artists step up to headline status.”

For the festival’s fifth anniversary this year, there are five international artists. Canadians Julian Taylor with his soulful Americana and rockabilly group Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys will be performing on the main stage in the candle-lit Empress Ballroom. Joining them will be American born Doug Levitt, whose Greyhound Diaries were the subject of a BBC Radio documentary, covering his innovative approach to storytelling through music and his extensive travels across the United States on Greyhound buses.
York born Twinnie, returns to TBCMF after a four year break. Now living in Nashville, this country-pop diva returns with an impressive array of new music to her name and a performance at the Grand Ole’ Opry under her sequinned belt.

Superband First Time Flyers join the festival lineup and having performed on an acoustic stage last year and proving hugely popular, The Coaltown Daisies have been offered a step up on to the main stage this year on Sunday, supporting Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Two Songwriter’s Carousels (‘cause it’s Blackpool), are scheduled, the first from Girls Night In The Round with Kezia Gill, Jade Helliwell, Demi Marriner and Jess Thristan and the second showcases The Liver Girls from Merseyside. Siobhan Maher Kennedy, St Catherine’s Child (who also has her separate own band slot), Neeve Zahra and Eleanor Nelly.

Tickets on sale now from here

Image Credit: PRESS