Queer Country at Americanafest 2025

It's been exciting to see the commercial viability of Americana bloom over the past many years. It's an ever-expansive genre umbrella that's given a voice to the voiceless, so to speak, particularly the queer community. Of course, it's not without its own host of problems, but it does offer hope for the future. As the annual, Nashville-centric festival celebrates its 25th year, it's bringing together some of the brightest talent you'll ever hear.

This year's festival takes place from September 9th to the 13th. There are tons of queer artists taking to various official and unofficial showcases and parties. There's also some pretty terrific cishets playing, too – check out the schedule and lineup here.

Official Events

Outlaw Pride & Yay! Agenda Records

Thursday, September 11 - Noon to 5PM - On Day 1, a slew of country's queerest descend upon Lipstick Lounge for a banging lineup. Set to play are Andrew Sa, Lyons & Co, Melody Walker, Shawna Virago, Mercy Bell, Lizzie No, Luisa Lopez, and Iris Marlowe.

Saturday, September 13 - Noon to 5PM - The showcase's second day will be just as gay and take place at Dee's Lounge. The roster includes Ruby Dice, Ever More Nest, Mya Byrne, #QueerCountryBandwagon, Julie Effin Nolen, Secret Emchy Society, Ashleigh Flynn and The Riveters, and Bobby Dove.

Unofficial Events

Tuesday, September 9 - 6 to 10PM - Olivia Management & Friends host their 5th annual Americanafest free showcase at Gray Matters Studio. Aaron Lee Tasjan and others will perform.

Tuesday, September 9 - 7 to 7:45PM - City Winery and Americanafest presents Ally Free, who kicks off the night. Others will perform after their showcase slot.

Thursday, September 11 - 8 to 10PM - Six Shooter Records celebrates 25 years of awesome with a showcase event taking place at The Mill (Canery Hall). Dubbed Night of the Silver Spurs, the lineup features White Horse, Boy Golden, and William Prince.

Thursday, September 11 - 12:30 to 7PM - Paste Magazine once again returns to Americanafest with a lineup that features 11 bands on two stages at Love & Exile. Those include Florry, William Prince, Willi Carlisle, and others.

Thursday, September 11 - 1 to 5PM - Bloodshot Records takes over Vinyl Tap with a must-see party featuring Andrew Sa and numerous others. The One More Night in Nashville event serves as a celebration of the 15th anniversary of Justin Townes Earle's Harlem River Blues.

Thursday, September 11 - 3 to 6PM - Presented by ATC Management, Peace Jam will take place at The East Room. Joy Oladokun and others are slated on the lineup.

Thursday, September 11 - 3:45 to 6PM - Mojo's Music City Mayhem will cause a ruckus at Robert's Western World with several live sets, including from Olivia Ellen Lloyd and others.

Friday, September 12 - 1 to 3PM - Righteous Babes Records celebrates 35 years with radical music at Love & Exile. Joy Clark and others will perform.

Friday, September 12 - 7 to 10PM - A batch of queer artists is throwing their own showcase party at the Lipstick Lounge. The badass lineup includes Julia Cannon, Mya Byrne, Melody Walker, Flamy Grant, and Mark Robert Cash. As a benefit for the Drag Defense Fund of ACLU in Tennessee, the cover is $20 at the door.

Showcasing Artists

Here's a list of all the queer artists making official showcasing appearances throughout the festival. Make sure to follow them on social media to find out their many official and unofficial Americanafest shows and parties.

Aaron Lee Tasjan

Ally Free

Boy Golden

Florry

Jett Holden

Joy Clark

Joy Oladokun

Mariel Buckley

Medium Build

Olive Klug

Olivian Ellen Lloyd

Palmyra

S.G. Goodman

Willi Carlisle

Americanafest Awards Nominees

• Artist of the Year: Joy Oladokun
• Duo/Group of the Year: Julien Baker and Torres
• Emerging Act of the Year: Medium Build