Sophie Gault kept busy at AmericanaFest this year. I managed to catch her three times—solo, with the SiriusXM house band, and with her own crew—each performance more electrifying than the previous. There’s something about an artist finally making music on her own terms, and the new songs she previewed suggest her 2026 album will be absolutely scorching.
(And Sophie will be joining us in Dallas for our Twangville anniversary show on 10/17!)
Few performers match Allison Russell’s raw magnetism, solo or otherwise, and tonight proved why she’s in a league of her own. The industry crowd was stiff and indifferent, but Russell unleashed her full power anyway—a performance that cut through the room’s disinterest like a knife.
Langhorne Slim delivers that rare combo of genuine songcraft and infectious energy that makes every show feel like a revival. When he ventured into the audience and his guitar cord got yanked out, he simply shrugged and continued unplugged—turning a technical glitch into a moment of pure magic.
Fresh off releasing his brilliant new album Clams Casino, Dunne delivered exactly what you’d hope for—a deep dive into the new material performed with infectious enthusiasm. His sincerity is impossible to fake, and he poured everything into each song. What emerged was pop perfection elevated by genuinely intelligent songwriting.
If you want to hear classic country done right, it doesn’t get much better than Olivia Ellen Lloyd—which might explain why I found myself at three of her shows over the course of the week. Her songs and performances pulse with intensity, yet every note rings with authenticity and genuine heart.
Walker’s return from his cancer battle isn’t just a comeback—it’s a creative flood. One album already released this year, another on the horizon, and more material in the pipeline—he’s making up for lost time with a vengeance. Craig Finn did the honors of introducing him to kick off Wednesday’s festivities, and Walker delivered a captivating set that drew from across his catalog while hinting at what’s to come. Voice, guitar, songs—he’s as vital as ever.
Craig Finn followed Walker with an outstanding set of his own, featuring songs from his latest solo album Always Been. Between songs, he offered stories and reflections that gave the material extra resonance.
Fort Worth took center stage as AmericanaFest 2025’s official spotlight city, and Matthew McNeal was among its best ambassadors. His slick, pop-leaning indie rock hit hard, driven by a sharp band that turned every song into a jolt of energy
Ward captivated with a short acoustic performance at the Sun Records showcase. Her commanding vocals owned every inch of the packed space while her songs proved just as compelling. Another highlight? Finding myself standing shoulder-to-shoulder with blues legend Bobby Rush, both of us soaking in the performance from the corner of the bar.
The West Texas Exiles sound great pretty much anywhere, but it doesn’t get much better than watching them play a hotel rooftop on a sunny afternoon. Great songs, courtesy of the group’s multiple singer-songwriters, layered with rich harmonies that floated beautifully through the air in that sky-high setting.
Hoge joined the ranks of artists celebrating new albums at AmericanaFest – in his case Sweet Misery – but stood out by proving you can absolutely rock out with just acoustic guitars, drums, and keys.
William Prince’s stripped-down set demonstrated the power of keeping things simple – just his powerful voice and captivating songs, delivered with the kind of relaxed charm that made room for storytelling between tracks. With both a new album (Further From the Country) and newlywed status to celebrate, he had plenty of reasons to smile.
D’Acosta’s brand of indie pop comes with angular edges and infectious energy. Both were on full display as he bounced around the stage with his guitar slashing in every direction. The set absolutely rocked.
Jones and company were a new discovery for me, but their name proved prophetic—this crew delivered spirited indie rock deep into Tuesday night, mixing solid songwriting with plenty of charm and serious attitude.
Come on, you didn’t think I’d neglect mentioning John Fogerty rocking the legendary Ryman Auditorium as part of the awards show, did you? It was a fitting finale that included a jaw-dropping array of guest backup singers—Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rhett Miller, Emmylou Harris, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, Chuck Prophet, John C. Reilly, Darrell Scott, Gillian Welch, and more—creating the kind of once-in-a-lifetime moment only AmericanaFest can deliver.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.