AmericanaFest 2025: Five Days of Discovery, Storytelling, and Soul in the Heart of Nashville
There’s something different about AmericanaFest. It doesn’t chase the spotlight; it creates it. It’s where raw storytelling meets stripped-down stages, where legends share sidewalks with rising artists, and where every corner of Nashville feels alive with purpose.
All Photos By: Aaron R. Shriver PhotographyCelebrating its 25th year, AmericanaFest 2025 took over Nashville from September 9–13, bringing together over 200 performances across 50+ venues, along with panels, networking events, and the prestigious Honors & Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium. From intimate listening rooms like The Bluebird Cafe to packed-out stages at Brooklyn Bowl and Exit/In, the festival once again proved why it’s one of the most important weeks in roots music. This isn’t just a festival, it’s a community. And over five unforgettable days, that community delivered moments you simply can’t script.
Click The Image Above For The Full 1st Annual Pickleball Smack FestWe kicked off AmericanaFest in the most unexpected way possible, with Ruston Kelly’s “1st Annual Pickleball Smack Fest” at FlyghtHouse. It was a mix of competition and chaos, with celebrities jumping into fast-paced rallies that felt more like a party than a tournament. The event doubled as a celebration for Kelly’s fourth album, Pale Through the Window, released just days later. It set the tone for the week ahead: fun, unpredictable, and deeply rooted in connection, both on and off the stage.
DAY 1
The BMI Rooftop on the Row kickoff is always a must, and this year delivered once again with great food from Texas Roadhouse, smooth pours from George Dickel, and a skyline backdrop that screams Nashville. It’s the kind of event that instantly drops you into the heart of AmericanaFest.
Click The Image Above For The Full Ken Pomeroy Photo GalleryKen Pomeroy had the honor of opening the festival, and she did so with quiet confidence and powerful storytelling. Songs like “Bound To Rain,” “Coyote,” and “Wall Of Death” (featured on the Twister soundtrack) introduced a voice that felt both fresh and deeply rooted.
Click The Image Above For The Full Cam Photo GalleryCam’s showcase at The Analog inside the Hutton Hotel raised the bar early in the week. Opening with “Burning House,” she immediately pulled the room in, then guided the crowd through her latest project All Things Light with a performance that felt both intimate and commanding.
Click The Image Above For The Full Max and Heather Stalling Photo GalleryOver at The Station Inn, Max and Heather Stalling showcased the beauty of collaboration, blending their individual artistry into something that felt natural and lived-in. Their chemistry, built during the pandemic, translated effortlessly on stage.
Click The Image Above For The Full Sister Sadie Photo GallerySister Sadie brought a different kind of energy, tight, polished, and unapologetically powerful. As an all-female bluegrass band that formed at The Station Inn in Nashville, their set was a reminder of both tradition and evolution within the genre.
Click The Image Above For The Full Wyatt Ellis Photo Gallery
Wyatt Ellis, just 16 years old, proved age means nothing when talent speaks this loudly. Backed by a young band, he delivered a bluegrass clinic, highlighted by a moving rendition of “Old Crossroads.”
Click The Image Above For The Full Kip Moore Photo GalleryKip Moore closed out Night 1 in a way only he can, stripped down, raw, and completely in the moment. Asking fans to put their phones away, he leaned into storytelling with songs like “Solitary Tracks” and debuted “You & Me,” before ending with the emotional weight of “Pretty Horses.”
DAY 2
Click The Image Above For The Full Coleman Jennings Photo GalleryDay 2 kicked off high above the city at the Big Loud Skydeck showcase at Assembly Hall. Coleman Jennings opened the day with a set full of unreleased material, offering a glimpse into the future of the label’s roster.
Click The Image Above For The Full Zandi Holup Photo Gallery Zandi Holup followed with a refreshingly honest introduction, “Are you ready for some sad songs?”, and delivered exactly that. Her Wildflower material explored identity and belonging in a way that felt deeply personal and relatable.
Click The Image For The Full Thelma & James Photo GalleryThelma & James brought a fresh dynamic as a husband-and-wife duo still in their early days of performing together. “Canaries & Coal Mines” stood out as a defining moment in a set that felt both new and promising.
Click The Image Above For The Full Stephen Wilson Jr. Photo GalleryStephen Wilson Jr. took the stage to one of the loudest reactions of the day, fueled by news of his CMA nomination earlier that morning. You could feel the emotion in every note; this wasn’t just a performance; it was a moment.
Click The Image Above For The Full Charles Wesley Godwin Photo Gallery
Charles Wesley Godwin closed the daytime showcase with authority, delivering a powerhouse set that included “Hallelujah High” and “All Again.” Debuting “I Caught The Sunrise” and closing with “Country Roads,” he reminded everyone why he’s a cornerstone of the genre.
Click The Image Above For The Full Southern Grounds Photo GallerySouthern Rounds at The Analog offered a completely different vibe, with Michael Haney hosting a storytelling session featuring Madison Hughes, Jack Schneider, and John Meador. It was intimate, conversational, and deeply rooted in songwriting.
Click Here For The Full Adam Hood & Friends Photo GalleryAnother writer’s round followed, led by Adam Hood and featuring a rotating cast including Sunny Sweeney, Julianna Rankin, Dave Kennedy, Channing Wilson, and Michael Ray. These moments, where songs are stripped down to their core, are what AmericanaFest is all about.
Click The Image Above For The Full Emily Hines Photo GalleryEmily Hines brought a grungier, emo-leaning edge to The Basement, proving that Americana continues to stretch and evolve beyond traditional boundaries.
Click The Image Above For The Full Matt Koziol Photo Gallery
Matt Koziol closed the night with one of the most commanding performances of the festival so far. Songs like “Work All Day” and “Fire” turned a packed room into a room full of believers.
DAY 3
Click The Image Above For The Full Presley Haile Photo Gallery
Day 3 started under gray skies at the Bobby Hotel for the Lone Star Shindig, with Presley Haile opening the day before rain began to fall. The weather added tension, but not enough to stop the music.
Click The Image Above For The Full Ruthie Foster Photo GalleryRuthie Foster took the stage next, bringing her Texas roots and Hall of Fame pedigree with her. Though her set was cut short, her presence still left an impact.
Click The Image Above For The Full Macy Todd Photo GalleryMacy Todd made a brief but memorable one-song appearance, holding the crowd’s attention while the stage was reset between rain delays.
Click The Image Above For The Full Joshua Ray Walker Photo GalleryJoshua Ray Walker delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire festival. After his main set was canceled, he performed acoustically at a bar, no mic, no amp, just pure artistry from someone who’s fought his way back from stage 4 cancer.
Click The Image Above For The Full Jillian Jacqueline’s Photo GalleryJillian Jacqueline’s showcase at W Nashville’s Living Room felt warm and personal, with songs from MotherDaughterSisterWife highlighting her growth as both an artist and storyteller.
Click The Image Above For The Full Amanda Shires Photo GalleryAmanda Shires lit up Exit/In with a fiery performance that blended old favorites with new material. The debut of “Friend Zone” added another layer to an already dynamic set.
Click Image The Above For The Full Kashus Culpepper Photo Gallery
Brooklyn Bowl hosted back-to-back standouts, starting with Kashus Culpepper, whose soulful sound quickly won over the crowd with songs like “Southern Man.”
Click The Image Above For The Full Kaitlin Butts Brooklyn Bowl Photo Gallery
Kaitlin Butts followed with a set that stopped people in their tracks, especially with her unexpected cover of “The Middle.” Her original “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me)” hit like a statement.
Click The Image Above For The Full Elle King Photo GalleryHonky Tonkin’ In Queens at Exit/In was stacked from top to bottom, with Elle King & The Brethren Band leading the charge in a high-energy, collaborative showcase.
Click The Image Above For The Full Amythyst Kiah Photo GalleryAmythyst Kiah delivered a powerful, soul-stirring performance, commanding the stage with a voice that carried both grit and grace. Her renditions of Shania Twain’s “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Under” and Loretta Lynn’s “Fist City” honored country roots while adding her own bold, genre-blending edge.
Click The Image Above For The Full Kristina Murray Photo GalleryKristina Murray delivered a timeless, no-frills performance that leaned into the heart of traditional country storytelling. Her original “Watching The World Pass Me By” felt reflective and honest, cutting through the noise with a voice and presence that stayed with you long after the set ended.
Click The Image Above For The Full Summer Dean Photo GallerySummer Dean stepped onto the stage with effortless confidence, delivering a performance rooted in classic country swagger and timeless storytelling. Her smoldering take on “Somebody’s Knockin’” showcased both her rich vocals and her ability to make a decades-old song feel fresh and unmistakably her own.
Click The Image Above For The Full Lola Kirke Photo GalleryLola Kirke brought a bold, effortless presence to the stage, blending her signature wit with a laid-back yet commanding delivery that pulled the crowd in.
Click The Image Above For The Full Kaitlin Butts Photo GalleryKaitlin Butts brought a fearless, high-energy presence to the stage, effortlessly blending sharp storytelling with a bold, modern edge. From her crowd-stopping cover of “The Middle” to the punch of “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” she proved she’s not just part of the conversation, she’s leading it.
DAY 4
SiriusXM’s “America’s Most Wanted Guitar Pull” brought together Hayes Carll, Jesse Daniel, Brennen Leigh, and Erin Enderlin for a masterclass in songwriting. Each artist peeled back the curtain on their work in a way only this format allows.
Click The Image Above For The Full Hayes Carll Photo GalleryHayes Carll sat in on the round-robin guitar pull, delivering his signature wit and sharp storytelling as all four artists traded songs on stage together.
Click The Image Above For The Full Jesse Daniel Photo Gallery
Jesse Daniel added a raw, traditional country edge to the shared stage, his Bakersfield-inspired sound cutting through as the group rotated verses and stories.
Click The Image Above For The Full Brennen Leigh Photo GalleryBrennen Leigh brought a timeless warmth to the round, her heartfelt songwriting and rich vocals blending seamlessly into the collaborative format.
Click The Image Above For The Full Erin Enderlin Photo GalleryErin Enderlin anchored the circle with emotional depth, her haunting lyrics and delivery giving the guitar pull some of its most powerful moments.
Click The Image For The Full Lydia Luce Photo GalleryBack at The Analog, Missing Piece’s showcase introduced a diverse lineup, including Lydia Luce, whose journey from Berklee to the Smithsonian to Nashville added depth to her performance.
Click The Image For The Full Langhorne Slim Photo Gallery
Langhorne Slim delivered one of the most unique sets of the week, stepping into the crowd and blurring the line between performer and audience. “A Song For Silver” stood out as a deeply personal moment.
Click The Image Above For The Full Brian Dunne Photo GalleryBrian Dunne brought a sharp, New York–bred perspective to the stage, blending clever lyricism with a laid-back, engaging delivery. Showcasing songs from Clams Casino, he proved that Americana isn’t bound by geography; it’s about storytelling, and he does it exceptionally well.
Click The Image Above For The Full Ashley Monroe Photo GalleryAshley Monroe delivered a captivating, emotionally rich performance that showcased her effortless blend of vulnerability and strength. Moving seamlessly between piano and guitar, she brought songs from Tennessee Lightning to life with storytelling that felt both intimate and deeply resonant.
Click This Link For The Full John Carter Cash Photo GalleryJohn Carter Cash took the stage at Nudie’s for his album release show, celebrating Pineapple John, a project he co-wrote with his son Jack during the pandemic, adding a deeply personal layer to the performance.
Click The Image Above For The Full Ana Cristina Cash Photo GalleryJoined by his wife, Ana Cristina Cash, the two shared the spotlight with heartfelt chemistry, while Robert Young stepped in for a special collaboration on “I Can Hear The Ocean,” a song that added even more depth to the set. Altogether, it felt like more than just a showcase; it was a family-driven, story-rich moment that honored both legacy and new beginnings.
Click The Image Above For The Full David Nail Photo Gallery
David Nail looked completely at home at City Winery, bringing a polished yet deeply emotional performance to his AmericanaFest debut. Songs like “Strangers On A Train,” “Come Back History,” and “Red Light” showcased both his powerhouse vocals and his seamless transition into the Americana space.
Click The Image Above For The Full Jesse Daniel Photo GalleryJesse Daniel took the stage at Exit/In and delivered a no-frills, hard-hitting set rooted in his signature California country sound. Channeling the spirit of Bakersfield legends like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, his performance felt both timeless and unapologetically authentic.
Click The Image Above For The Full Nick Hexum Photo GalleryNick Hexum closed out the night at The Station Inn with a refreshing and unexpected dive into bluegrass, showcasing a completely different side of his artistry. Backed by Water Tower, he even reimagined 311’s “Amber,” giving the familiar hit a stripped-down, roots-driven feel. It was a bold and creative shift that proved Hexum’s versatility and left a lasting impression on the crowd.
DAY 5
Click The Image Above For The Full Rebecca Porter Photo Album
The final day started quietly at Backslide Vintage with Rebecca Porter, where music filled the space between racks of clothing. It was one of the most uniquely intimate settings of the entire week.
Click The Image Above For The Full AmericanaFest Photo Gallery
The Easy Eye Sound Fish Fry at American Legion Post 82 once again proved why it’s a festival favorite. Great food, tattoos, and nonstop music created an atmosphere unlike anything else.
The outdoor stage kept the energy alive with performances from Pat McLaughlin, Jimbo Mathus, and Leah Blevins, each bringing their own flavor to the afternoon.
Click The Image Above For The Full McKinley James Photo GalleryInside, McKinley James returned to a stage that helped launch his career, delivering a performance that felt full circle.
Click The Image For The Full The Animeros Photo Gallery The Animeros brought a vibrant blend of Latin and Americana influences, adding diversity and rhythm to the lineup.
Click The Image Above For The Full Robert Finley Photo Gallery
Robert Finley, at 71, delivered one of the most joyful sets of the festival. His charisma and energy made it impossible not to smile.
Click The Image Above For The Full Black Keys Photo GalleryThe Black Keys closed out AmericanaFest 2025 in style, turning the Fish Fry into a full-blown celebration. With an all-star band behind them, they leaned into their blues roots and sent the crowd home wanting more.
AmericanaFest isn’t about headliners, it’s about moments. It’s about discovering your next favorite artist in a room of 50 people, then watching them command a packed venue just days later. It’s about storytelling in its purest form.
From rooftop kickoffs to rain-soaked resilience, from stripped-down acoustic sets to full-band blowouts, AmericanaFest 2025 delivered everything you could want, and then some. And if this year proved anything, it’s this: the future of Americana music isn’t just bright, it’s already here.
