Americanafest 2023 Initial Lineup Headed Up By Kiah, Williams, Flemons
The Americana Music Festival and Conference surprised fans on April 17 with an early release of its initial lineup. It's as wide-ranging as we've come to expect from one of the most eclectic and music-heavy festivals in America. Americanafest has spent a lot of time and money on promoting diversity in the Americana community and that diversity is on display in its initial lineup. Here are some instant-reaction highlights from the lineup drop, with Youtube links to listen for yourself.
Amythist Kiah
A breakout artist in the past couple of years and a member of Americana supergroup Our Native Daughters, Kiah was our favorite act at Americanafest 2019. With her mix of blues, soul, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe style proto-rock, Kiah is a dynamic live performer who never fails to impress.
Yasmin Williams
Guitar sensation Yasmin Williams was our Rookie of the Year at Americanafest 2021 and there's no evidence she's gotten anything but better in the two years since. With a unique lap picking style, Williams gets sounds out of a guitar that defy belief. It's hard to call solo instrumental acoustic guitar music “dynamic” but Williams manages it at every live show.
Dom Flemons
Dom Flemons is Americana's most thorough historian, unearthing and remixing forgotten black string band songs for a modern audience. But the founding member of Carolina Chocolate Drops also writes original songs in the black string band tradition telling tales like the black cowboy who inspired the Lone Ranger. While a history lesson might feel dull, Flemons is so entertaining and humorous that the show is always a fun time.
Parker Millsap
Despite still being in his 20s, Parker Millsap is a decade-long veteran of the Americana music scene. In that time, he's released everything from gospel tinged acoustic ballads to full-throated garage rockers and all of the styles between those two opposites. Whatever style he chooses to play, Millsap is always a strong live act.
Other highlights of the lineup include festival favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Americana veteran Mary Gauthier, bluegrass supergroup Mighty Poplar, and blues-rock elder statesman Bobby Rush. And that's just the initial lineup. The festival promises over 125 artists left to announce.
Americanafest 2023 will take place September 19-23 in venues across Nashville. You can pick up festival passes here and check out our full coverage of past years' Americanafests here.