Having seen sixty acts perform in Nashville, including a number that were not AmericanaFest showcases, whittling the highlights down to ten standout performances is no easy task. Interestingly, the list is indicative of the broad range of acts loosely placed under the ever-widening Americana umbrella.
Review and photographs by Declan Culliton
Kassi Valazza @ Dee’s Cocktail Lounge
Shows by Kassi Valazza, whether solo or with a band, have consistently been breathtaking since our introduction to the Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter in 2023. Her showcase was no exception. Backed by a four-piece band, her set was delivered to pin-drop silence. Her songwriting and vocals are exceptional, and it may be lazy to make comparisons to Sandy Denny, but she is that good.
Jon Byrd @ East Side Bowl
Jon Byrd, a must-see act in every Nashville trip for many years, faced a change in his performance routine earlier this year when he lost his weekly residency at Dees Cocktail Lounge. However, the good folk at The East Side Bowl stepped in and booked Jon with a full band to perform each Tuesday at the Low Volume Lounge, before the now legendary Honky Tonk Tuesday kicked off in the main hall. This change only added to the anticipation, and his set, which delved deeply into his 2023 album ALL YOUR MISTAKES alongside some well-chosen covers, did not disappoint.
Kristina Murray @ Vinyl Tap
I know, I know, Kristina features every year in our report, but once more she justified her reputation as one of the finest traditional country singers of the past decade. She performed at the festival multiple times, including her showcase at the Exit Inn. This more intimate show featured Kristina accompanied only by an electric guitarist, her own acoustic guitar, and her crystal-clear vocals. It was a joy to hear several of the songs from her new album LITTLE BLUE, stripped back to bone and their backstory.
The Pink Stones @ Vinyl Tap
Although Hunter Pinkston’s band are only two albums into their career, they sound like veterans. Their new album YOU KNOW WHO combines easy-going rhythms alongside some more up-tempo country tunes that land somewhere between Gram Parsons and Porter Wagoner. Dipping into that record and their debut one, they executed the set with laid-back confidence, composure, and top-notch playing.
West Texas Exiles @ The Groove Record Store
A five-piece band of Texan players and vocalists, West Texas Exiles came to our attention with their 2023 EP, Vol.1. They lived up to that promise with their recently released debut album and the two shows we caught them playing at AmericanaFest. Their stripped-back in-store show at The Groove highlighted their individual and collective talents. Slick playing, superb harmonies and clever songwriting always win out, and these guys have them all.
Florry @ Love & Exile
Although young in years, the six-piece Florry has already released three albums since their debut in 2018. We caught two of their shows, this one and the previous day, at Grimey’s Record Store. They played different sets at each show, with a common denominator of incredible playing, energy, and killer vocals from band leader Francie Medosch (who had an infectious smile on her face from start to finish) and backing singer Katya Malison.
Merce Lemon & The Basement East
Landing somewhere between indie rock and what used to be called alt-country, Pittsburgh five-piece band Merce Lemon’s 2024 album WATCH ME DRIVE THEM DOGS WILD was a stunner, and their showcase underlined their quality. Highlights of many included their wonderful song Backyard Lover and a gorgeous version of I See A Darkness.
Alex Amen @ The 5 Spot
A new name to me and one that was only recommended earlier that day, Texan Alex Amen, accompanied by an acoustic guitar player, had the capacity to silence a late-night audience one song into his set. The country/folk sounds of Mickey Newbury, Glen Campbell and Fred Neil came to mind while listening to an artist that is most certainly one to watch as his career develops.
Chris Scruggs @ Skinny Dennis
The opportunity to enjoy a traditional country education from Chris Scruggs and his band at the recently opened Skinny Dennis in East Nashville was a joy. Country covers, with the history of each of them informed by Scruggs, are the order of the evening on this Sunday night, with no cover charge, as part of a residency. Having band members like Kenny Vaughan and Billy Contreras, among others, made this an unmissable journey and a history lesson in ‘real’ country music.
Garry Burnside @ Vinyl Tap
A master class in blues, soul and funk from Garry Burnside and his band. Not surprisingly, given his pedigree as the youngest son of Hill Country Blues legend R.L.Burnside. Garry cut his teeth playing with his father and the late blues player Junior Kimbrough. His spine-tingling set featured material from his latest album IT’S MY TIME NOW.
