Your Queer Country Guide to Americanafest 2026

This year's Americanafest is, by Rachel's count, queerer than ever. With a almost a third of the lineup identifying as LGBTQIA+, the lineup is an exciting representation of the progress queer artists have made in the past few years. And to go beyond the official lineup, tonight's Queer Roots at the Lipstick Lounge showcase features some of the best queer contry artists in the scene right now.

This year's festival takes place from September 15th to the 19th. There are tons of queer artists taking to various official and unofficial showcases and parties. There's also some pretty terrific cishets playing, too.

Official Events

Presented this year by OUTlaw Pride and Bluegrass Pride, Queer Roots creates a space for queer artists and allies to gather during one of the country music industry’s biggest weeks of the year. The event reflects a growing movement of artists challenging traditional ideas about who gets to tell country music’s stories, and what the genre can look and feel like.

"Queer artists have always been part of country, Americana, and roots music, even when spaces weren't always made for us," says OUTlaw Pride founder Julie Nolen. "Queer Roots and OUTlaw Pride are about changing that- not by asking queer artists to fit into someone else's version of the genre, but by giving them a stage where they can show up fully as themselves and importantly, ensuring the next generation knows there is a place for them."

The event is produced with the support of community partners: Darlin' Lingerie, and Frankie J's whose dedication shares its commitment to artists, this community, and creating spaces where people can gather safely and authentically.

With AMERICANAFEST as its backdrop, Queer Roots is more than just a show. It is about making visible something that has always been true: queer people are part of its roots.

WHAT: Queer Roots at AMERICANAFEST

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 12–8 PM

WHERE: The Lipstick Lounge, Nashville, TN

PRESENTED BY: OUTlaw Pride & Bluegrass Pride

SPONSORED BY: Darlin' Lingerie & Frankie J’s

Find more details here.

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. You can find an official list of shows here.

Aaron Lee Tasjan

Amelia Day

Andrew Sa

Aubory Bugg

August Ponthier

Bandits on the Run

Bobby Dove

Creekbed Carter Hogan

Denitia

Jaimee Harris

Jobi Riccio

Katie Pruitt

Melissa Etheridge

Nathan Evans Fox

Next of Kin

Nick Shoulders

Rainbow Girls

River Shook

Roger Harvey

Ruthie Foster

She Returns From War

Sweet Petunia

Panels

See the full schedule for official shows and panels here!

Friday, 9/18

• 12 PM: Ruthie Foster In Conversation @ the National Museum of African American Music
• 1 PM: Creekbed Carter Hogan and Katie Pruitt play the Paste Magazine & Ilegal Mezcal Live on Broadway stage

Saturday, 9/19

• 2 PM: Joy Oladokun: Music, Story & Legacy @ the National Museum of African American Music

Americanafest Awards Nominees and Winners

• Album of the Year: Planting by the Signs, SG Goodman (Winner: Snipe Hunter, Tyler Childers)
• Artist of the Year: Brandi Carlile (Winner: Molly Tuttle)
• Emerging Act of the Year: Boy Golden (Winner: Ken Pomeroy)
• Instrumentalist of the Year: Libby Rodenbough (Winner: Mandy Fer)
• Song of the Year: "Returning to Myself," Brandi Carlile (Winner); "Snapping Turtle," SG Goodman

Since Jesse Wells did not win any awards, I will not quit music journalism this year.