C2C: Country to Country

C2C: Country to Country is a country music festival that has been held in Europe every year since 2013. It was first held in London on 16–17 March 2013. The festival was the first multi-day country music event in the United Kingdom, since the demise of the popular International Festival of Country Music, which was held at Wembley Arena and hosted by Mervyn Conn. The event was jointly developed by the O2 Arena and SJM Concerts, collaborating with the Country Music Association. In 2019 it had a capacity of 25,000.

In 2013, it was announced that the festival would come to the 3Arena in Dublin on 14–15 March 2014.

The festival expanded even more into Europe, adding additional dates in Sweden and Norway in 2015, and the Netherlands, Germany and Australia in 2019.

As of the 2015 festival, pop-up radio station BBC Radio 2 Country was set up and runs over 4 days, including a live broadcast of the main stage performances.

Since 2016, the festival has run over three nights.

In 2018, Milly Olykan received the Jo Walker-Meador International Award from the Country Music Association for her role in helping AEG concerts develop C2C. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music's marketing development in territories outside the United States.

Festival facts

 * Since the inaugural event, the festival has been hosted in London by BBC Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris. He was joined by co-host Breland in 2023, and Alana Springsteen in 2024.
 * Carrie Underwood was the first act to headline the festival twice (2013 & 2016).
 * Little Big Town are the first act to play the festival three times. After appearing at the inaugural 2013 event, they returned in 2016 and headlined in 2018. They were followed by Darius Rucker and Kip Moore, who both appeared for the third time in 2022. Lady A and Zac Brown Band marked their third appearances in 2023, with Brad Paisley headlining for the third time in 2024.
 * Other acts that have played the main stage over multiple years are Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Chris Young, Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Cam, Hunter Hayes, Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Midland, Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce, Priscilla Block, Brian Kelley, Brothers Osborne, and Old Dominion.
 * Jennifer Nettles was the first artist to play the main stage in consecutive years, appearing as a solo performer in 2017 and as part of Sugarland in 2018.
 * Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Drake White, McBryde, Old Dominion, Breland, Matt Stell, Lindsay Ell, and Drake Milligan have been upgraded from their initial appearances on the spotlight stage to the main stage in subsequent years.
 * In 2019, Catherine McGrath became the first UK country artist to perform on the main stage when she joined Hunter Hayes in London for their duet of "Don't Let Me Forget".
 * The festival has hosted three members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: Vince Gill, Reba McEntire and Emmylou Harris (as well as future member Marty Stuart), and eighteen members of the Grand Ole Opry: Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Gill, Harris, Lady A, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, McEntire, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paisley, Carly Pearce Rascal Flatts, Dustin Lynch, Rucker, Stuart, Underwood and Keith Urban.

C2C: Country to Country 2013
The first C2C: Country to Country festival was announced in late November 2012, and was held on 16–17 March 2013 at the O2 Arena in London. Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood headlined the first and second nights respectively. Headline acts in bold

London pop-up stages

 * Ags Connolly
 * Alan West
 * Dean Owens
 * James Riley
 * Jill Johnson
 * Raevennan Husbandes
 * Raintown
 * Robert Vincent
 * The Good Intentions
 * The Robbie Boyd Band

C2C: Country to Country 2014
The second C2C: Country to Country festival was held on 15–16 March 2014 at the O2 Arena in London, and on 14–15 March 2014 at The 3Arena in Dublin; aside from Martina McBride, who only played the London show. The Zac Brown Band and Brad Paisley headlined the two nights. Headline acts in bold

London pop-up stages

 * Alan West
 * Amelia Curran
 * Ann Doka
 * Carolynne Poole
 * Dexeter
 * Dirty Beggars
 * Emma Jade
 * Frankie Davies
 * Gary Quinn
 * Hannah Jane Lewis
 * Hometown Show
 * Jessica Clemmons
 * Jill & Kate
 * Lisa Marie Fischer
 * Lisa Redford
 * Luke & Mel
 * Maria Byrne
 * Tim McKay
 * Raintown
 * Star Lane
 * Stephen Kellogg
 * Stevie Agnew
 * Striking Matches
 * The Diablos
 * The Shires
 * The Sonny Walters Band
 * Thorne Hill
 * Tom Wright
 * Ward Thomas

C2C: Country to Country 2015
The third C2C: Country to Country festival was held on 7–8 March 2015 at the O2 Arena in London and The 3Arena in Dublin. Extra dates were held in Stockholm and Oslo from 28 February to 1 March 2015 with very similar line-ups. Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum headlined the two nights. Two events under the C2C banner were also held in Glasgow at the SEC Armadillo. Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Lindsay Ell played the venue on 3 March, while Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore and Brandy Clark performed on 5 March.

The CMA Songwriters Series took place on 6 March and starred Kix Brooks, Brandy Clark, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and Sam Palladio.

Headline acts in bold

London pop-up stages

 * Acoustic Journey
 * Angel Snow
 * Ann Doka
 * Aubrie Sellers
 * Balsamo Deighton
 * Callaghan
 * Carolynne Poole
 * Case Hardin
 * Chloe Chadwick
 * Claydon Connor
 * David Bradley
 * Dexeter
 * Ellie Dibben
 * Emma Jade
 * Emma Swindells
 * Fitzwallace
 * Flats & Sharps
 * Gary Quinn
 * Goat Roper Rodeo Band
 * Hannah Jane Lewis
 * Holloway Road
 * Hometown Show
 * Honey Ryder
 * InBlauK
 * Jeannine Barry
 * Jess and the Bandits
 * Jess Roberts
 * Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander
 * Katie Armiger
 * Katie Nicholas
 * Kimmie Rhodes
 * Laura Oakes
 * Lewis & Leigh
 * Lisa Redford
 * Liv Austen
 * Loud Mountains
 * Lucy May
 * Megan O'Neill
 * Michele Stodart
 * Miller's Daughter
 * Mim Grey
 * Paul Carella
 * Pauper Kings
 * Raintown
 * Sam Hunt
 * Sasha McVeigh
 * Sonia Leigh
 * Stephanie Manns
 * Steve Young
 * Striking Matches
 * Talia Simone
 * The Cains Trio
 * The Dirty Beggars
 * The James Clode Band
 * The Rising
 * The Shires
 * The Tuesday Syndicate
 * Ward Thomas
 * Winter's Hill
 * Woody Pines
 * Worry Dolls

C2C: Country to Country 2016
The fourth C2C: Country to Country festival was held over three nights from 11 to 13 March 2016. Glasgow joined London and Dublin as the third venue. Carrie Underwood was the first headliner to be announced at all three venues, becoming the festival's first returning headliner following her appearance in 2013. The launch party was held at the Brooklyn Bowl inside the O2 Arena in London on 6 October 2015, the event was followed by a headlining Little Big Town concert. At the launch party it was announced that Miranda Lambert and Eric Church would join Carrie Underwood as the other headliners, although Miranda Lambert's involvement was leaked earlier that day by her own website, which also listed her three support acts on the bill. The full line up for the Yamaha Music Stage in London (formally named the Satellite Stage) was announced on 16 November 2015.

The CMA Songwriters series acted as the beginning of C2C, taking place on 9 March and featuring Shane McAnally, Charlie Worsham, Ashley Monroe, Lori McKenna and Charles Esten as well as a special surprise appearance from Miranda Lambert.

Headline acts in bold

Satellite Stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * A Thousand Horses
 * Alan West and Steve Black
 * Alice Wallace
 * American Young
 * Ashley Campbell
 * Ashton Lane
 * Balsamo Deighton
 * Barry Dean
 * Benjamin Folke Thomas
 * Brooke Eden
 * Callaghan
 * Carolynne Poole
 * Case Hardin
 * CC Smugglers
 * Charles Esten
 * Charlie Worsham
 * Chisum Cattle Co.
 * Cooper & Davies
 * Crash N Recovery
 * Darline
 * David Nail
 * Dexeter
 * Gary Burr
 * Georgia Middleman
 * Western Tears
 * Emma Stevens
 * Erin Kinsey
 * Frankie Davies
 * Foreign Affairs
 * High Valley
 * Holloway Road
 * Honey Ryder
 * ILONA
 * Jeannine Barry
 * Jess and the Bandits
 * Jessi Alexander
 * Laura Oakes
 * Lauren Alaina
 * Lori McKenna
 * Lucy May
 * Luke and Mel
 * Kimmie Rhodes
 * Knoxville Highway
 * Maren Morris
 * Megan O'Neill
 * Old Dominion
 * ORFILA
 * Outlander
 * Paul Carella
 * Pauper Kings
 * Phil Vassar
 * Rackhouse Pilfer
 * Ray Peters and the Smokey Turtle Band
 * Red Pine Timber Company
 * Red Sky July
 * Robert Vincent
 * Sadie and the Hotheads
 * Sam Coe and the Longshadows
 * Sarah Darling
 * Shane McAnally
 * Sonia Leigh
 * Southern Companion
 * Southern Junction
 * Striking Matches
 * The Rising
 * The Shires
 * Texas Martha and the House of Twang
 * Wire and Wool

C2C: Country to Country 2017
The fifth C2C festival was announced at the conclusion of the previous year's festival. It ran over three nights from 10 to 12 March 2017. Early bird tickets for the o2 Arena in London went on sale at 9.00am on 18 March 2016. The line-up was announced in "waves", with the first wave being announced on 24 October 2016 via a launch event at the Brooklyn Bowl. The 3-day breakdown was released on 1 November, with Reba McEntire and Marty Stuart announced as the final two acts the following day at 4pm. Una Healy appeared on the Spotlight Stage in Dublin on 12 March, opening for Reba.

The remainder of the Yamaha Music Stage acts for London were announced on 24 January 2017.

The CMA Songwriters Series returned to kick off the festival on 9 March and featured Kristian Bush, Maren Morris, Mac McAnally, Drake White and Liz Rose.

Headline acts in bold

Satellite Stage acts in italics

Note: The set lists below are from the London show, with the exception of Cam's set (which is taken from her Glasgow performance).

London pop-up stages

 * Backwoods Creek
 * Bailey Bryan
 * Beth Thornton
 * Caitlin Koch
 * Canaan Smith
 * Case Hardin
 * Cassadee Pope
 * Catherine McGrath
 * Charlie Worsham
 * Chase Bryant
 * Chisum Cattle Co.
 * Clara Bond
 * Dana Immanuel
 * Dominic Halpin
 * Drake White
 * Gary Quinn
 * Have Mercy Las Vegas
 * Holloway Road
 * Jade Helliwell
 * Jake Morrell
 * Jamie Stanton and Roadkill Revival
 * Jana Kramer
 * Jarrod Dickenson
 * Jeff Cohen
 * Josh Osborne
 * Laura Evans
 * Legends of Country
 * Lisa McHugh
 * Logan Brill
 * Lucie Silvas
 * Katy Hurt
 * Kevin McGuire
 * Kristian Bush
 * Kete Bowers
 * Mac McAnally
 * Martha L. Healy
 * Melanie
 * Miss Winter
 * Orfila
 * Rackhouse Pilfer
 * Raintown
 * Robert Chaney
 * Sam Coe and the Longshadows
 * Sarah Darling
 * Seth Ennis
 * Shootin' The Crow
 * Square One
 * Smooth Hound Smith
 * Temecula Road
 * The Hardy Band
 * The Honey Ants
 * The Long Haul Band
 * The Shires
 * The Wandering Hearts
 * Thunderbridge Bluegrass Band
 * Trea Landon
 * Twinnie-Lee Moore
 * Una Healy
 * Ward Thomas
 * Worry Dolls

Also part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2018
The sixth C2C festival was announced on the final day of the 2017 festival and ran over three nights from 9–11 March 2018. On 28 September 2017, Bob Harris announced that the first 2018 headliners would be Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (who would be bringing their Soul2Soul Tour to the UK for the very first time) on his BBC Radio 2 programme. Kelsea Ballerini was announced on 3 October by Ricky Ross on BBC Radio Scotland. On 5 October, Little Big Town were confirmed as the second headline act with majority of the line-up being revealed the following day on 6 October at the official launch event. On 16 October, Old Dominion were announced along with the three day breakdown. It was also revealed that Ashley Campbell would perform a special tribute to her father, Glen Campbell in London. On 23 November, Brett Young was confirmed for the main stage in Glasgow and Dublin as well as the Yamaha stage in London. For the first time, C2C announced that Glasgow would feature a Spotlight stage. On 8 December, Sugarland were announced as the final main stage act. Composed of C2C alumni Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles, the duo reformed in 2017 and are billed as "special guests", their appearances was their first full-band shows in five years.

The CMA Songwriters Series held on 8 March featured Brett James, Natalie Hemby, Kip Moore, Nicolle Galyon and Luke Combs.


 * Headline acts in bold, Satellite stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * American Young
 * Andy Brown
 * Ashley Campbell
 * Ashley McBryde
 * Brett Young
 * Catherine McGrath
 * Clara Bond
 * Danielle Bradbery
 * Days Are Done
 * Delta Rae
 * DJ Hish
 * Elles Bailey
 * FAYRE
 * Ferris and Sylvester
 * High Valley
 * Holloway Road
 * Jake Morrell
 * Jeannine Barry
 * Jillian Jacqueline
 * Katy Hurt
 * Kerri Watt
 * Keywest
 * LANCO
 * Lars Pluto
 * Leslie Satcher
 * Levi Hummon
 * Lindsay Ell
 * Liv Austen
 * Liz McClarnon
 * Lost Hollow
 * Lukas Nelson
 * Mo Pitney
 * Morgan Evans
 * O & O
 * Peter Donegan
 * Russell Dickerson
 * Ryan Hurd
 * Ryan Kinder
 * Sammie Jay
 * Sarah Darling
 * Stephanie Quayle
 * The Adelaides
 * The Grahams
 * The Shires
 * The Wandering Hearts
 * Twinnie-Lee Moore
 * Una Healy
 * Walker Hayes
 * Ward Thomas

Part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2019
The seventh C2C festival was announced on the final day of the 2018 festival and ran over three nights from 8–10 March 2019. The line-up was announced on 22 October 2018 during the CMA songwriters tour at Shepherd's Bush Empire, with tickets going on sale on 26 October 2018. On 30 October 2018, C2C announced that a one night C2C would take place at AFAS Live in Amsterdam, and a two night festival in Berlin at the Verti Music Hall. Additionally, two events under the C2C banner would take place in Australia, albeit with a different line-up to the rest of the events held in 2019. Midland, Kelsea Ballerini, Eric Paslay, RaeLynn, Blanco Brown, The McClymonts and headliner Tim McGraw are set to perform in Sydney and Brisbane on 28 and 29 September respectively.

The CMA Songwriters Series was held on 7 March 2019 and featured Cam, Jimmie Allen, Laura Veltz, Ross Copperman and Travis Denning.


 * Headline acts in bold, Satellite stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * Abby Anderson
 * Adam Hambrick
 * Backwoods Creek
 * Caroline Jones
 * Catherine McGrath
 * CC Smugglers
 * Copper Viper
 * Craig Campbell
 * Fairground Saints
 * Foreign Affairs
 * DJ Hish
 * [Holly Rose Webber
 * Ingrid Andress
 * Jade Helliwell
 * Jake Morrell
 * James Barker Band
 * Jeff Cohen
 * Jimmie Allen
 * Kaylee Bell
 * Kelly Archer
 * Kenny Foster]
 * Kerri Watt
 * Lainey Wilson
 * Laura Oakes
 * Lauren Jenkins
 * Lisa Wright
 * Logan Mize
 * Megan O'Neill
 * Michael Ray
 * Molly-Anne
 * Morganway
 * Noah Schnacky
 * Noble Jacks
 * RaeLynn
 * Remember Monday
 * Robert Vincent
 * Runaway June
 * Sam Lewis
 * Sam Palladio
 * Sarah Darling
 * The Adelaides
 * The Blue Highways
 * The Wandering Hearts
 * Travis Denning
 * Twinnie-Lee Moore

Also part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2020/21
The eighth consecutive C2C festival was announced during the final day of the 2019 edition, and was planned to have run over three nights from 13 to 15 March 2020 in London, Glasgow and Dublin. C2C was also planned to have returned to Berlin from 6–8 March, the Netherlands between 7 and 8 March and Australia at an unspecified date. The line-up was at the official launch event on 21 October 2019 at Cadogan Hall during the Introducing Nashville concert featuring performances by Danielle Bradbery, Chris Lane, Travis Denning and Rachel Wammack. Old Dominion were originally scheduled to perform but withdrew on 6 March 2020 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and they were replaced by The Shires who were to be the first UK-grown country act to perform on the main stage.

The CMA Songwriters Series was set to feature Tenille Townes, Phil Barton, Caylee Hammack, Niko Moon and Jaren Johnston. The original line-up also included Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose and Lori McKenna; however, they withdrew on 6 March. The show was cancelled on 12 March. The COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on all scheduled concerts and festivals around the world. As concerns over the pandemic worsened and several countries began implementing travel restrictions, the 2020 Country to Country festival was cancelled. The main stage was due to feature Eric Church, Darius Rucker and Luke Combs as headliners with Tanya Tucker, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Cadillac Three, Charles Esten, Brett Young, Runaway June, Jordan Davis, Tenille Townes, Eric Paslay and Abby Anderson also performing.

An impromptu gathering was organised by Paul McInnes and Neil Byrne, but unfortunately it was a Covid super spreader event.

The 2021 edition of C2C was also cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, with the new dates for 2022 being announced as 11–13 March.

The C2C festival in Berlin and Amsterdam did take place during the weekend of 7 and 8 March. Though Old Dominion cancelled their performance due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.


 * Headline acts in bold

C2C: Country to Country 2022
After two years of cancellation, the initial lineup for the eighth C2C festival was announced on 13 September 2021. Luke Combs and Darius Rucker return as headliners after previously being booked for the 2020 festival and Miranda Lambert returns to headline for the second time, replacing Eric Church whose American tour dates clashed with the 2022 festival. Brett Young and Runaway June also remained in the lineup from the cancelled 2020 event, though Runaway June later cancelled due to a pregnancy within the group and were replaced by Tenille Townes. On December 15, Priscilla Block, Tiera Kennedy and Morgan Wade were announced as the Introducing Nashville artists. The pop-up acts were announced on 14 February. Charles Kelley from Lady A (with Russell Dickerson) and Ed Sheeran (with Luke Combs) both made guest appearances at the London show.

Unfortunately, the 2022 edition of the festival was marred by a serious security event on the Sunday evening. A large group of ticketless people from the travelling community breached security to make their way into the arena. They made for the stage and removed people from their seats by way of intimidation and verbal and physical assaults. Due to this, and also the fact that the organisers have never apologised or publicly acknowledged the incident, several people have vowed never to return to the festival.


 * Headline acts in bold, Satellite stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * Alex Hall
 * Avery Anna
 * Breland
 * Brittney Spencer
 * Caitlyn Smith
 * Callie Twisselman
 * Callista Clark
 * Catherine McGrath
 * Danny McMahon
 * Eleri Angharad
 * Eric & Jensen
 * Erin Kinsey
 * Essex County
 * Everette
 * Gary Quinn
 * Harleymoon Kemp
 * Hayley McKay
 * Izzie Walsh
 * Jaret Reddick
 * Jeannine Barry
 * Jess Thristan
 * Jess Moskaluke
 * Kaitlyn Baker
 * Katy Hurt
 * Kezia Gill
 * King Calaway
 * Laci Kaye Booth
 * Laine Hardy
 * Laura Oakes
 * Lucy Grubb
 * Matt Stell
 * Morganway
 * Pete Gow
 * Robyn Ottolini
 * Ruthie Collins
 * Seaforth
 * Shy Carter
 * Tebey
 * The County Affair
 * The Shires
 * Tenille Arts
 * Tim Hicks
 * Tim Prottey-Jones
 * Tony Arata
 * Twinnie-Lee Moore
 * Walker Country

Also part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2023
The 2023 lineup was announced on 17 October 2022 at an official launch event at Bush Hall which featured performances from Ben Earle and Catherine McGrath. On 5 December 2022, Morgan Evans and the Introducing Nashville artists (Tyler Braden, Caylee Hammack and Alana Springsteen) were revealed as the final main stage artists and the London Spotlight Stage artists were also announced. The rest of the lineup was revealed on 30 January 2023. The CMA Songwriter's event, which took place on 9 March, featured Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and Dalton Dover. Elvie Shane was originally scheduled to appear at the festival but was unable to attend due to a broken leg. Niall Horan made a guest appearance at the London show.


 * Headline acts in bold, Satellite stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * 49 Winchester
 * Adam Doleac
 * Alyssa Bonagura
 * Alexandra Kay
 * Amanda Shires
 * Ashley Cooke
 * Brian Collins
 * Brooke Law
 * Caroline Jones
 * Catie Offerman
 * Chase McDaniel
 * Corey Kent
 * Dan Davidson
 * Drake Milligan
 * Emma Walker
 * Eric & Jensen
 * First Time Flyers
 * George Birge
 * Haley Mae Campbell
 * Hannah Ellis
 * Jade Helliwell
 * Jeff Cohen
 * Jess & The Bandits
 * Jillian Jacqueline
 * Jolie Harvey
 * Jonathan Terrell
 * Kameron Marlowe
 * Kezia Gill
 * Leah Blevins
 * Lucy May
 * MacKenzie Porter
 * Madeleine Edwards
 * Megan McKenna
 * Nate Smith
 * Paris Adams
 * Pillbox Patti
 * Randall King
 * Remember Monday
 * Sam Williams
 * Smithfield
 * Thomas Kavanagh
 * Tigirlily Gold
 * Two Ways Home
 * Tyler Booth
 * Ward Thomas
 * Willie Jones

Also part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2024
The tenth edition of Country to Country was held on 8–10 March 2024. The festival took place in Belfast for the first time this year, after being held in Dublin since 2014, and the festival also returned to Berlin and The Netherlands for the first time since 2019. The main stage acts were announced on 16 October 2023. The CMA Songwriter's event, which took place in March, featured Lauren Alaina, Charlie Worsham, Colbie Caillat, and Stephen Wilson Jr.


 * Headline acts in bold, Satellite stage acts in italics

London pop-up stages

 * Abbie Mac
 * Abby Cone
 * Alana Springsteen
 * Angel White
 * Annie Bosko
 * Ben Chapman
 * Blake O'Connor
 * Brad Cox
 * Brooke Eden
 * Carter Faith
 * Chapel Hart
 * Charlie Worsham
 * Chloe Chadwick
 * Colbie Caillat
 * Dom Ellis
 * Drayton Farley
 * Dylan Schneider
 * Emilia Quinn
 * Fancy Hagood
 * Gasoline & Matches
 * Greylan James
 * Halle Kearns
 * Hannah Dasher
 * Hannah Ellis
 * Harper Grace
 * Jake Worthington
 * Jeannine Barry
 * Jeff Cohen
 * Jordan Harvey
 * Kerri Watt
 * Lakeview
 * Lily Rose
 * Lola Kirke
 * Martin Harley
 * Mason Ramsey
 * Matt Koziol
 * Redferrin
 * Remember Monday
 * Restless Road
 * Rita Wilson
 * Shane Profitt
 * Simeon Hammond Dallas
 * Sinead Burgess
 * Sophia Scott
 * Tanner Adell
 * Tennessee Twin
 * The Redhill Valleys
 * Tigirlily Gold
 * Zandi Holup

Also part of the Bluebird Café at C2C event

C2C: Country to Country 2025
Country to Country will return on 14–16 March 2025.