Highways: new London music festival dedicated to world of country & Americana set for 2023, how to get tickets

There’s going to be a southern fried feel at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2023, as Live Nation announced the inaugural Highways festival. The country and americana focused festival begins its life on Saturday May 20, 2023, enveloping every corner of the Royal Albert Hall from main performances in the legendary auditorium, to carefully curated showcases speckled across adorning rooms.

The selection of the Royal Albert Hall stems from its place in American pop culture history, given the litany of revered US artists that have performed at the space since its inception in 1871. The likes of Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Kacey Musgrave have all passed through the hall, with Creedence Clearwater Revival making their UK debut on its stage in 1970.

In Live Nation’s statement regarding the festival the first four artists were announced to take part in the debut event, with some of alt.country’s brightest performers such as Kip Moore, Morgan Wade, Jackson Dean and Stephen Wilson Jr all confirmed in the first wave of artist announcements. The event will also pair a range of cuisines befitting of the southern hospitality one can expect from the United States region.

Speaking about the new festival, Matthew Todd of Head of Programming and Engagement at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “We’re delighted to be building a completely new Country and Americana event with our long-standing partners at Live Nation. Our 152-year-old auditorium will provide a backdrop unlike anywhere else for some brilliant acts, and we’re particularly pleased to be able to build on the long-running history of country music at the Hall in this way – as these genres continue to grow from strength to strength in the UK.”

Live Nation’s Vice President Touring, Anna Sophie-Mertens, says “I am thrilled to bring to life this incredible festival alongside our partners at the Royal Albert Hall. It is every artist’s dream to play this legendary venue, and delivering such an unforgettable occasion for the Country and Americana community has been a longstanding dream of mine.”

Where can I get tickets to Highways 2023?

Tickets for Highways 2023 will be on sale through Live Nation and The Royal Albert Hall from December 9 2022 at 10am. Presale tickets through Live Nation will be available from December 8 2022 at 10am and can be signed up through Live Nation’s dedicated page to Highways.

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