music
Grab your Stetsons! How country music is taking over the UK
With country music festival attendances soaring and US artists selling out tours, are British and Irish audiences ready for "the full Southern experience"?
TL;DR
- Country music is the UK's fastest-growing music genre for three consecutive years.
- UK country music is shifting from legacy acts to modern stars like Morgan Wallen and Beyoncé.
- Consumer spending on live music is rising, with country music becoming a significant business.
- New festivals like State Fayre and established ones like Buckle & Boots are drawing large crowds.
- Festivals are increasingly focused on the 'experience economy,' including lifestyle and community, not just music.
- UK artists, such as tribute act Liam Price, are finding success and opportunities through the genre's growth.
- The genre's strength in storytelling and its ability to address difficult themes contribute to its expanding appeal.
- The UK country music scene is developing a supportive ecosystem for homegrown talent to thrive internationally.