British Underground brings UK Americana to Nashville
British Underground returns to the international stage at the 2026 AMERICANAFEST in Nashville, supporting an incendiary line up of British artists as the UK’s roots and Americana scene builds momentum.
The 26th annual AMERICANAFEST takes place across five days in September, bringing hundreds of artists to Nashville’s most celebrated venues including The Bluebird Cafe, The Station Inn and Jack White’s Blue Room. Representing the UK this year are Jake Bugg, Brown Horse, Hollow Hand, Our Man in the Field and Jack Browning (who kindly steps in for Elles Bailey), reflecting the breadth and growing international reach of the UK’s Americana and roots music.
A key moment in this year’s programme will be Country Connections Live, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between British Underground, Sounds Australia and the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA). Taking place at East Nashville’s legendary 5 Spot on Saturday 19 September, the Country Connections Live showcase brings together exceptional artists from the UK, Australia and Canada for an international industry audience.
The collaboration extends beyond the showcase itself, with a dedicated artist development programme delivered in partnership with AMERICANAFEST, providing artists with opportunities for industry networking, orientation sessions and artist mixers to build connections that support international careers.
As part of the conference, UK Americana award-winner Hannah White from The Sound Lounge in Sutton hosts the International Touring & The Value of Grassroots Venues panel at the Embassy Suites on Wednesday Sept 16th at 3.30pm with Keiron Marshall, Erika Wollam-Nichols (The Bluebird Cafe) and Demi Marriner.
British Underground is delighted to rekindle our collaboration with the Americana Music Association UK (AMA-UK) to promote and support the UK cohort throughout the festival. Several of the artists travelling to Nashville have also received travel grants through the International Showcase Fund, of which we are a partner.
Adding to a significant year for UK Americana, Robert Plant will receive the Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium on 16 September.
