When the C2C ’24 line up was announced last year there wasn’t a huge deal of enthusiasm coming your way from this source. I felt it wasn’t a line up stacked full of names we’d play regularly on the show if I’m honest (which I like to think I try to be!)
So far, so true. But now the weekend has come and gone I have to say how out of step I was. With very few exceptions I discovered so many new artists and songs to enjoy despite diving in and out of backstage to catch interviews which interrupted the time I could spend watching each set. So, what did I see?
Priscilla Block was the perfect opening act, I missed Brian Kelley, despite being determined to catch him as we had a appointment to chat to Jake Owen and Brad Paisley. I’m pleased to say I caught enough of Jake and Brad to know they were both brilliant. Spotlight wise too, though I missed Mason Ramsay’s performance I heard so many good things and enjoyed our conversation, and both interviewed and watched the excellent Tigirlily Gold.
On Saturday I only saw about ten minutes of Drake Milligan but it was enough to know it was a show that people will be talking about until he, inevitably, returns. Though Elle King wasn’t doing any conversations after her Opry melt down, I thought her performance was mesmerising. I’m a new fan, Elle, cme back and talk to us.
Brothers Osborne (though perhaps making the mistake of playing too loud) were excellent. This has been a festival of some hugely talented guitarists and John Osborne was up there with the best of them. I have to admit to missing most of Old Dominion’s show but we recorded a great conversation with four of the guys from the band which you will hear this coming week. I need to give an honourable Spotlight mention to the artist I am still very excited about. We’ve flagged the songs of Lily Rose up now for a few years and she didn’t disappoint on her C2C debut. We also recorded a great session with Lily.
On that show you will also hear chats with Kane Brown and the wonderful Carly Pearce, who did not disappoint. Again I missed a lot of Lauren Alaina’s set but was there to hear her one woman take on One Beer, which I thought was brave and brilliant. I saw all of the Nashville Introducing song round and was so taken by all three singer songwriters. We recorded a session with Conner Smith for future broadcast but I also thought Karley Scott Collins an exciting new talent. Great voice and some fascinating songs.
There was a great set too on The Spotlight Stage from Restless Road who had hardly any sleep due to delayed flights from Belfast. By the time they hit the stage they’d performed at King Tuts and recorded a great session for us in Studio One. These boys will take some stopping.
All of this was impressive but nothing compared to the 8 minutes Chapel Hart took to blow the roof of The Hydro. I’ve loved what I knew of The Chapel Hart sisters but I’m now a sold devotee. We recorded a conversation with them and we are hoping to get them into record a session during their next visit this coming summer.
Phew….what a great weekend in the country. Over the next few weeks you can hear some of these special sessions. This week we talk to the headline acts. Don’t miss it. It’s all live from 8 this Tuesday on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sounds. Join me if you can.
