As the C2C: Country to Country festival returns to London, it once again brings with it a wave of star power, breakout talent and genre-bending performances that reflect the evolving face of country music. From arena-filling headliners to rising acts on the verge of international recognition, this year’s line-up offers something for every kind of fan – traditionalists, pop-country converts and Americana aficionados alike. With so many artists vying for your time across multiple stages, we’ve narrowed the field to five must-see performers who promise standout sets, unique perspectives and moments you’ll be talking about long after the final encore.
Spotlight on breakout performers redefining the C2C London stage
As the festival leans ever more into fresh voices, this year’s bill quietly hides several artists poised to jump from undercard intrigue to arena-ready dominance. From genre-blending mavericks to storytelling purists, these emerging names are cutting through the noise with distinctive sounds and unfiltered perspectives on modern life. Look out for artists who fuse neon-tinged pop with steel guitar, pair Southern gothic lyrics with London grit, and bring small-town confessionals to a big-city crowd hungry for something new. Their sets are already generating backstage buzz among industry insiders, who are tipping a handful of these acts as the next wave of UK and transatlantic crossovers.
- Harbourline – shimmering country-pop with hook-heavy choruses built for radio.
- Ava Kingsley – raw, diary-style songwriting and hushed vocals that silence even the noisiest arena bars.
- Redbridge County – a Brit-country collective marrying fiddle runs with gritty rock dynamics.
- Jace Monroe – swaggering modern outlaw flair and guitar solos that nod to classic Nashville.
- Lila Rae – intimate, soulful ballads that bring an Americana tint to East London narratives.
| Artist | Vibe | One to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Harbourline | Glossy, upbeat | Summer anthem in waiting |
| Ava Kingsley | Quiet & confessional | Pin‑drop acoustic moments |
| Redbridge County | Fiddle & fuzz | Rowdy late‑night singalongs |
| Jace Monroe | Rock‑edged outlaw | Show‑stealing guitar breaks |
| Lila Rae | Soulful & cinematic | Main‑stage ready torch songs |
Essential main stage sets that country and Americana fans cannot miss
Across the weekend, the O2’s arena will host a run of performances that promise to define this year’s festival narrative. From stadium-sized singalongs to pin‑drop ballads, these sets are where chart-topping polish collides with raw storytelling. Expect high-impact production – think cinematic lighting, widescreen visuals and surprise guest appearances – but also the kind of stripped-back moments that remind you this genre is built on a voice, a guitar and a truth-telling lyric. For fans plotting their schedule, these shows are the backbone of the festival, the ones people will still be talking about when the tour posters have faded.
To help cut through the clash of timings and side-stage temptations, focus on the artists bringing both catalogue depth and genuine live reputation. Look for acts who can pivot from radio hits to rootsy deep cuts, who aren’t afraid to drop in an unreleased track or a classic cover. Keep an eye out for:
- Headliners with a story – artists arriving with new albums, career‑defining moments or long‑awaited UK returns.
- Collaborative slots – guest duets, writers’ room medleys and cross‑Atlantic mashups that only happen at C2C.
- Roots‑driven performers – Americana voices bringing banjos, fiddle breaks and harmony‑rich arrangements to the big room.
- Breakthrough names – rising stars stepping onto the arena stage for the first time, often delivering the most electric sets of the night.
| Type of Set | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Album-era headline show | Showcases new material before it hits heavy rotation. |
| Songwriter spotlight | Strips songs back to their storytelling core. |
| Legacy catalogue run | Packs in fan favourites and singalong staples. |
Intimate showcases and late night sets offering rare close up moments
Tucked away from the arena roar, this is where the festival feels almost conspiratorial – a handful of fans, a stripped-back PA, and artists trading big-stage polish for bare emotion. Expect surprise acoustic renditions, off-the-cuff harmonies and songs that may never make the main setlist, as Nashville chart-toppers share the floor with London’s Americana upstarts. It’s in these huddled corners that you hear the stories behind the hits, the half-finished choruses and the influences that never make the press release, turning fleeting performances into conversations set to a backbeat.
For those willing to sacrifice a little sleep, the post-headline hours are where reputations quietly skyrocket. You’ll find pop-country favourites testing new singles on piano, Texas troubadours trading verses with UK songsmiths, and rising voices borrowing each other’s bands for spontaneous jams that feel like history in rehearsal. Keep an eye out for:
- Secret collabs announced only minutes before doors open.
- Songwriter circles where hooks are broken down line by line.
- Loose, extended jams that stretch familiar songs into something thrillingly unplanned.
| After-Hours Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Stay in the smaller rooms | Future headliners often test material here first. |
| Watch the guest lists | Unbilled stars slip in for one-song cameos. |
| Follow venue socials | Clues to pop-up sets drop late and fast. |
Insider tips on timings locations and how to plan your perfect C2C schedule
Building a smart game plan around the headline sets will save you from dashing between The O2‘s scattered stages and missing those all-important openers. Aim to arrive by late afternoon to catch emerging Nashville names in the smaller rooms before the main arena doors open, then use gaps between sets to explore the merch stands and food courts rather than queuing at peak times. It’s worth bookmarking the official app or timetable and screenshotting your must-see slots in case of patchy signal, then anchoring your night around the two or three artists you refuse to miss. For fans staying across the river or in central London,factor in the Jubilee line’s late-night frequency and the occasional engineering works; an early check of TfL updates can mean the difference between a relaxed stroll to the tube and a frantic post-encore sprint.
- Base yourself near the arena – the main stage, satellite stages and after-parties are all within a short walk once you’re inside The O2.
- Plan your food and drink windows – eat before the first arena act and snack during changeovers to avoid missing key performances.
- Mix seated and standing moments – alternate high-energy sets with acoustic sessions in smaller spaces to dodge festival fatigue.
- Lock in meet-and-greets early – signings and fan events frequently enough overlap with support slots, so decide what you’re willing to sacrifice.
| Time | Where to be | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 15:00-17:00 | Outer stages / bars | Finding sets & early merch |
| 17:00-19:00 | The O2 restaurants | Beat dinner rush before doors |
| 19:00-22:30 | Main arena | Non-stop must-see artists |
| 22:30-late | After-show stages | Surprise guests & late jams |
In Conclusion
As C2C London continues to cement its reputation as a key fixture in the country calendar, these five artists underline just how broad and ambitious the genre has become. From boundary-pushing newcomers to established names redefining their sound, this year’s line-up offers a snapshot of country music in 2024: diverse, forward-thinking and firmly rooted in storytelling.
Whether you’re planning every set in advance or dipping in to discover something new, make room in your schedule to catch these acts. They could well deliver the performances people are still talking about long after the final chords fade at The O2.
