Maverick Country Music Magazine

1 March 2022

For the first time in two years, we are about to truly celebrate live music again as all restrictions are lifted and tours and festivals seem more secure. Country 2 Country returns and for many, this will be their first event since the pandemic begun and I can only imagine the celebrations that will bring as the country community is reunited. It shall be quite the party with the line up they have put together and that’s where this issue begins, with headliner Miranda Lambert on our cover. Miranda is one of my favourite country stars and has been for many years. She has made the most of her time away from the road this past year as she teamed up with Jon Randall and Jack Ingram for the GRAMMY nominated The Marfa Tapes, collaborated with Elle King for ‘Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)’, released a Christmas record with the Pistol Annie’s and penned her next solo project. The latter of which we shall get to hear very soon as she will play a couple of songs off upcoming album ‘Palomino’ at C2C. Some artists have been trying to get to the UK and in particular C2C for many years so it feels surreal for them that it is finally happening, artists like Scotty McCreery. Also on the bill are a couple of artists that many of us were not familiar with when the 2020 festival got postponed but over the last year or so, they have made waves within the industry, Breland and Morgan Wade are two of those artists, each of whom have a unique take on country music and will add a different flavour to the line up. Also taking to the stage, separate to C2C is Keith Urban who will be touring the UK at the end of April/beginning of May. He is another artist who I idolised growing up. Throughout his career, he has reinvented his brand of country with each new record and proven why he has won CMA Entertainer of the year twice with his captivating live shows. It was a joy to sit down with him and reflect upon his career so far and I can’t wait to watch him perform in Manchester later this year. I have also had the chance to listen to some incredible new albums that have recently come out or that are about to come out very soon. It’s wonderful getting to chat to these creatives and bring you the parts of their story that you don’t hear in the songs. I hope you all enjoy reading this issue as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it and that you too, will have the joy of experiencing live music again soon. If you’re at Country 2 Country, please come and say hello if you see myself and the team around!