AmericanaFest Returns to Nashville for 2024 | Nashville Cream

AmericanaFest 2024 initial artist announce — Photos: Lizzie No by Cole Nielsen, Ashley Monroe by Becky Fluke

AmericanaFest is coming back to Nashville, bringing hundreds of artists to venues all across Music City from Sept. 17 through 21. As ever, the initial lineup announcement includes a kaleidoscopic array of singers, songwriters and instrumentalists whose work blends various roots traditions (and more styles besides) in different proportions.

The work of Ashley Monroe is most often identified with country; both Monroe and She Returns From War push at the genre’s boundaries. Shemekia Copeland and Jontavious Willis are steeped in the blues, while Teddy and the Rough Riders and Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore and their group The Guilty Ones are dyed-in-the-wool country rockers. Meanwhile, recently arrived Nashvillian Lizzie No, Crys Matthews, Jess Nolan, Margo Cilker, Hiss Golden Messenger, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers and lots of others do their own thing that brings in elements of country, folk, rock and more. Many musicians will play multiple shows throughout the fest, while The John Oates Acoustic Band is appearing for just one performance.

There have been a few changes to the ticketing structure, but you’ll have access to most performances via a standard Festival Pass, priced at $125. What was formerly a combination festival and conference pass is now the Silver Pass, starting at $349, and there’s now a Gold Circle Pass option for $1,349 that also includes admission to the Americana Honors and Awards ceremony at the Ryman on Sept. 18 — check out the Americana Music Association website for all the details and purchase options.

While there were excellent shows aplenty during last year’s festival, several transphobic incidents during the week raised considerable concern. Fest participants whom Scene contributor Rachel Cholst interviewed for her in-depth report felt the Americana Music Association’s responses were too slow and limited to effectively make LGBTQ musicians feel safe, heard and respected. Cholst’s piece also outlines some ways to improve conditions; only time will tell if we see changes this year that make queer artists — ones already performing and those yet to be announced — feel welcome throughout the festival.