Below is a diary style breakdown of my Americanafest with a playlist (in order of appearance) of the acts I was fortunate enough to catch this year that made an impression on me. This was my third year attending, and 2024 was just as good as the other years. Plus, I’ve learned a few things from prior years that make for a more enjoyable time. (Plan ahead/know you’re going to miss some things/be willing to change plans/keep an open mind.)
Day 1
Ken Pomroy – Had only heard of her through the Twisters soundtrack. Easy to love with soft picking and powerful vocals. Only 22. Expect to hear more from her.
Iron & Wine – Solo acoustic set from Sam Beam, playing a couple of nylon string guitars. Seems like a funny guy that could have a temper. His middle finger was ever present while playing his wonderful set which made my brother and I wonder if a young Sam practiced giving people the bird while playing as a kid.
Shemekia Copeland – High energy blues with 3 guitarists all capable of ripping a hole in the roof. Fun set.
Paul Thorn – Came out blazing with 3 or 4 new songs then settled into classics like “Pimps & Preachers” and “Long Way from Tupelo.” Looking forward to the new album.
Day 2
Good Looks – Vinyl Tap a perfect venue for day shows. Good Looks put on an upbeat indie rock set that had the crowd bobbing heads and shuffling feet.
Dan Reeder – Supposedly his first U.S. show (did I hear that right?). Played with his daughter who sang the high double to his lower register. Such a fun affair to see Dan live. Had the whole crowd singing along to classics like “Work Song” with everyone in the place smiling.
Steve Poltz – Only made it in time to see half of this day set, but it was classic Steve, playing a brand new song written the week before, then going into “You Were Meant for Me” and telling stories of his time recording with Jewel.
Awards Show – Too much to write about. (See Shawn’s detailed coverage.) My highlights included the dry humor of hosts The Milk Carton Kids, the lifetime achievement awards given to the Blind Boys of Alabama, Don Was, Dave Alvin and Dwight Yoakam and seeing the emerging artists of the year get to play with the stellar backing band. Soak it in guys!
AJ Lee & Blue Summit – Although the band has Lee’s name, the standout for me was guitarist Scott Gates. Both his playing and singing were stellar.
Day 3
Chris Smither – Wry acoustic blues with a sense of humor. Great set to start the day.
Wonder Women of Country – Willis, Carper and Leigh in the Nashville sun on top of the Bobby Hotel. Fun country among friends.
Vandoliers – Sweat, heat, rock and roll.
Uncle Lucius – Had never heard of this Texas band but they put on a nice set of Texas inspired bluesy country. Did I mention they’re from Texas?
Robert Earl Keen – Keen’s retirement from full time touring means he plays occasional shows I guess. He played a set of hits sprinkled with a couple of new tunes and even let his guitarist and bassist take the lead on a couple of tracks. Everybody sang along.
Willie Watson – Great songwriting and hard not to bop up and down with him. Sami Braman on fiddle with excellent playing/intonation.
Christian Lee Hutson – Another total surprise. Loved this set and have added the new album to heavy rotation.
MJ Lenderman – Had been digging his stuff since I heard him on Waxahatchee’s “Right Back to It.” Great high energy set of slacker rock. (Is that what the kids still call it?)
Madi Diaz – Where have I been? Anti Records getting it done with their artists. Nice set with her guitar and a drummer.
Waxahatchee – After not winning Americana song of the year (should have) or album of the year (should have) they played Tiger’s Blood in it’s entireity with MJ on guitar.
Neko Case – Amazing vocals and stage presence. Fun.
Day 4
Hannah Connolly – Beautiful voice and catchy tunes.
Humbird – Fantastic set. Definite Neil Young vibes with a modern edge. (In a good way…not a 1980s Young vocoder way.)
Ask Carol – Loops galore with 2 people sounding like 6. Lots of energy.
Jim Lauderdale – One of the tightest bands of the entire festival.
The Cactus Blossoms – Buddy Holly for the present with extra tremelo.
Amythyst Kiah – With a guest appearance from producer Butch Walker (one of my all time favorites) on vocals how could you not enjoh Kiah’s set. Excited to dig into her new album that was just released.
Aaron Lee Tasjan/Lilly Hiatt/Kevin Kinney – Friends of Tasjan played a few songs together with a stellar band at Todd Snider’s Purple Building. A packed in tight crowd and a good time had by all. A little bit of a funny smell in that building…
Day 5
Hannah Miller – Columbia South Carolina’s Miller doesn’t play many shows but is alive in the licensing scene. She played a few of her recent tunes that showcase her haunting vocals.
Triggers & Slips – Thoughtful country with a nice drawl.
India Ramey – Sassy country. Attitude and humor.
West Texas Exiles – Rowdy country. Reminded me a bit of the Texas Gentlemen.
Kevin Gordon – Any time Gordon plays “Colfax” is a good day. Also got to hear a few from the newest album.
Lee Gallagher – Rock and Roll a’la early Aerosmith. At least this set was!
The Bones of J.R. Jones – Was expecting a blistering set of head bangers, and while there were a few of those, there were also some quieter ones. Good ones, just quieter than expected.
Daniel Nunnlee – Soft indie rock with a hint of country to end the week.
About the author: Producer, Engineer, Musician and all around music enthusiast.