C2C 2020 is fast approaching. One of our highlights is always the introduction of the C2C Spotlight stage artists to the UK. Here, we introduce you to your 2020 Spotlight stage artists, the tracks you should listen to before the festival and, more importantly, why you should skip the O2 arena beer dash and stay in your seats to witness these sets…
FRIDAY
Nashville native, Mitchell Tenpenny has a rich and ingrained history in country music (his grandmother was industry legend Donna Hilley who shaped the musical landscape of country music as CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing). Fearlessly courageous as a songwriter, he’s already had a Top 5 hit with Granger Smith’s ‘If the Boot Fits’ and has spent time opening for a variety of influential artists including Smith, Jake Owen, Brett Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dustin Lynch, Gary Allan, Jon Langston, and others. His rich history and musical influences – as disparate as Jackson, John Mayer and the Oaks, come through in his music (just give one listen to his debut record). His vocals are rich and dynamic, and if his latest track is anything to go by – Tenpenny is just getting started.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: The buzz of bellowing back ‘Drunk Me’ > Beer… all day every day. If his streaming numbers are the mark of greatness, then Tenpenny is 114 million tons of magic in the making.
For Fans Of: Kane Brown, Jordan Davis
Listen To: Can’t Go To Church
Kyle Daniel continues the Nashville songwriting legacy throughout his music – everyman lyricism tackling the struggles of everyday life, whilst tapping deep within its subconscious to reveal almost painful truths. Having opened for the likes of Jason Isbell and Miranda Lambert, Daniel details in his tracks the hardships of life as a touring musician and the result is something spectacular.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: That Southern honeyed vocal – does there need to be another reason?
For Fans Of: Chris Stapleton / Lukas Nelson
Listen To: A Friend with Weed
Storming to fame as one of the finalists on American Idol, Gabby Barrett recently located to Nashville with now-husband Cade Foehner. Barrett has taken the country world by storm with the release of singles ‘I Hope’ and ‘Good Ones,’ named recently as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country at just 19, Barrett has an incredibly bright future ahead of her led by those stunning vocals.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: Those vocals. Unparalleled. And at 19? Wow.
For Fans Of: Carrie Underwood, Maddie & Tae
Listen To: I Hope
SATURDAY
Originally from Texas, Niko Moon is already a renowned artist and songwriter, having worked with Zac Brown extensively over the years (both in cuts and side projects) and having co-wrote Rascal Flatts’ ‘Back to Life.’ Signing with Sony last year, his music breathes something fresh into the genre – both in his traditional inspiration stretching back to John Prine and his electro-dance influences harnessed in Sir Rosevelt.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: It’s not for nothing that Moon was a member of Sir Rosevelt with Zac Brown and Ben Simonetti. His songwriting legacy precedes him and this introduction to the C2C crowds will be something to witness.
For Fans Of: Zac Brown Band / Ryan Hurd / Levi Hummon
Listen To: GOOD TIME
This California-Missouri native puts the cool in country, designing her own outfits for her shows and generally bringing a ton of humour to her onstage presence and songwriting. Signed to UMG, Nashville, she burst onto the scene with track ‘California, Missouri’ that read as her manifesto for her forthcoming sound that has truly carved her own space in the genre. Opening for the likes of Maren Morris, her onstage charisma has only burgeoned over time to create a hugely dynamic spectacle of a show.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: Kassi Ashton is the Queen of cool – bringing unsurpassed sass to her onstage performance (both in the outfits and her chat); it will be an unforgettable twenty minutes, we promise you that.
For Fans Of: Maren Morris / Miranda Lambert
Listen To: Violins
Ex-Hollyoaks actress Twinnie has been grafting for years in the UK country scene before signing in 2017 with BMG. Her performance at C2C will fall nearly a month before the release of her debut album on the 17 April, featuring tracks from her stellar EP ‘Better When I’m Drunk’ last year. Balancing clever songwriting – the result of much time spent in Nashville – Twinnie has a vocal that will surprise you with its range and strength.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: Twinnie is the clear queen of the UK country scene at the moment – stay to support one of our own.
For Fans Of: The Shires / Abby Anderson
Listen To: Cupid (Live Acoustic)
SUNDAY
Mixing country and hip hop, people sat up and took notice of Jones after the release of his single ‘Bachelorettes on Broadway.’ Performing at Country Music Week in November, the Louisiana native has already earned a legion of loyal fans in the UK. Based in LA, Jones is definitely an outlier in the country genre and offers something totally different and fresh.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: Willie Jones is unlike any other country artist around at the moment, bringing an eclectic performance imbued with hip hop, RnB, rap… This set will take you completely off guard. If you’re not there, you’ll be plagued with the question all week ‘Did you catch Willie’s set?’ best not to miss it…
For Fans Of: Blanco Brown / Mitchell Tenpenny
Listen To: Bachelorettes on Broadway
Born in Ellaville, Georgia, Caylee Hammack’s opening slots read as a ‘who’s who’ in Nashville – including Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Luke Bryan. Her self-penned tracks bring something raw and real, with her own personal touch – having produced her own record. She is an artist with incredible depth – earning her recognition as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country and a deal with UMG Nashville. We’d put money on her as one to watch in the coming years.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: With one of the most stunning, traditional-hued vocals we’ve heard, Caylee will bring modern country back, along with a hell of a lot of glitter.
For Fans Of: Maren Morris / Dolly Parton / Reba McEntire…
Listen To: Family Tree
Signed to renowned Big Machine, Schnacky has the team behind him to succeed. Seeking a connection and community through music in opposition to the ‘social media’ generation, his is a cause we can truly get on board with.
Why You Should Skip the Arena Beer Dash: At just 22, Schnacky’s performance (and smile) are captivating and his mission is spellbindingly pure.
For Fans Of: Levi Hummon / Dylan Schneider
Listen To: I’ll Be The One
