Corey Kent – “Wannabe”
There is an ease to Kent’s delivery that makes the track feel lived-in rather than performed, and that authenticity carries the song.
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Country Rock
Kip Moore – “Faith in the Wind”
His voice, as ever, feels unfiltered and deeply authentic, sitting comfortably within the track’s understated arrangement.
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Janet Devlin Captures The Mood Of A Nation With Defiant Anthem
Irish singer-songwriter Janet Devlin makes a defiant return with the powerful “Working For The Man.” This long-awaited fan favourite pulses with a restless desire for independence. Born from reflections on the relentless “rat race” and the pressure to preserve one’s identity within an unforgiving system, the song was written over a decade ago and now finally steps into the light – its message as timely as ever. More than thirteen years later, “Working For The Man” receives its long-awaited official release. It closes a chapter that began with a young songwriter, a rain-soaked afternoon, and a song that refused to fade. Co-produced by Janet alongside Jurgen Korduletsch and Rick Chambers, mixed by six-time Grammy Award-winning engineer Vance Powell, and mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios, the track fuses Janet’s signature country-tinged vocals with a jaunty, gloriously chaotic arrangement of jangling guitars, crashing drums, and spirited piano. The result showcases her growing confidence within the genre while preserving the raw authenticity that defines her sound. Her voice, edged with Americana twang and grit, guides the song from brooding tension into a soaring crescendo. It captures the restless momentum of reclaiming control and searching for self-identity amid the noise of expectation and the urgency of time slipping away. The evolution of ‘Working For The Man’ The song first took shape in London when Janet was just 17. During a writing session on a grey, rainy day in a flat on Portobello Road, the young artist wrote with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti. She began piecing together what would become a lasting staple of her live shows. Across two days, the pair wrote two songs: “Delicate,” which appeared on her debut album, and “Working For The Man”. Though the latter never made it on to her debut record, it quickly became both a personal favourite and a staple for audiences. For more than thirteen years, it has remained part of her setlist, with fans repeatedly calling for its official release. Savoretti expressed his continued admiration for Janet, saying, “I have always loved Janet’s voice and admired her approach to music. She has always done things her own way.” Devlin on her own work Janet explained, “Honestly, I think that’s why I fought so hard and chose the path that I did. Being an independent artist. Even though many years on, it’s still tough, and I’m by no means rich, I’m living and dying by my own sword. I by no means am trying to say that working a nine-to-five is a bad thing. It’s not. I think I was just influenced by my parents’ experiences, too. They both had full-time jobs whilst juggling having four kids under five years old. I saw how hard they worked for what we had in life and just how exhausted they were from it. In a lot of ways, I felt angry with them. Angry at the system we’re living in. That they could work tirelessly to put money in the pockets of someone else. Obviously, that system hasn’t changed since I wrote it. It still angers me. That’s why the song still feels so true and relevant to me, all these years on.” Expanding on how it has evolved, and what it was like revisiting it in Nashville, she notes, “On my last trip to Nashville, I recorded 22 songs in three days and this song HAD to be one of them. I knew that the musicians would absolutely smash it… and that they did. It was so magical to hear the song I’ve loved for so long finally come to fruition. To go from a little garage band demo on my laptop with Jack, to a full live band in none other than Blackbird studios. It really felt like a beautiful, full-circle moment. If only 17-year-old me had a crystal ball, she could’ve seen where the song would end up. Not only that, but to have an absolute hero of mine, Vance Powell, mix it out in Nashville, too.” The next phase of Devlin’s career This release kicks off the year for Janet who is set to take her unique country-rock on the road. Following a whirlwind 2025 where she performed at the likes of C2C Festival, The Long Road and The British Country Music Festival. She re-emerged at London’s Camden Club on 2nd April with a headline performance for the Chatter Hoochee Podcast. She’s also set to appear at In It Together Festival on 22nd May, Belladrum Festival on 30th July alongside artists such as Mika and Callum Beattie. She will also be making a stop at Essex’s Country Calling on 16th August. “Working For The Man” arrives hot off the heels of 2025’s ‘Not My First Emotional Rodeo’ – a captivating deluxe edition of her critically acclaimed album ‘Emotional Rodeo’. Building on the original’s success, she topped the iTunes Country Chart and garnered widespread radio support. The expanded collection further secured Janet’s reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in the UK country and Americana scene. The album includes the flyaway hit single “Houston”, which was added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist. It also features an acoustic reimagining of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler”, recorded at George Ezra’s studio, Hotel Quebec.
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Whiskey Isn’t a Trend, It’s Tradition
Whiskey and country culture have long been intertwined as a shared expression of place and identity. Long before it became a lifestyle aesthetic, whiskey was simply part of everyday life across the American South and Midwest. It sat on back porches, in roadside bars, and behind the scenes of late-night songwriting sessions. Country music has consistently reflected this relationship. Not in a romanticised sense, but as a detail of lived experience. Whiskey appears in lyrics because it is present in the environment, tied to storytelling, reflection, and social connection. It is less about the drink itself and more about what it represents – time taken, conversations had, and moments remembered. Rooted in the same ground The connection between whiskey and country culture is not coincidental. Both are products of the same environments. The regions that shaped early country music, Tennessee, Kentucky, Appalachia, are the same regions that defined American whiskey. In Tennessee, the steady, methodical approach to whiskey production reflects a wider cultural consistency. There is value placed on doing things the right way, not the fast way. That same attitude underpins much of traditional country, where storytelling and structure take precedence over trend. Appalachian moonshine tells a different story. It emerged from necessity, shaped by isolation and resourcefulness. It shares a similar origin with early country and folk music, both formed outside of formal systems, passed between communities, and grounded in real experience. Modern producers such as Ole Smoky have brought moonshine into regulated markets, but its cultural identity still leans heavily on that independent spirit. Further west, Texas introduces a different tone. The climate accelerates whiskey maturation, producing bold, concentrated flavours. That intensity is reflected culturally as well. Distilleries like Garrison Brothers operate within that same environment, producing bold, assertive spirits that reflect the climate and attitude of the state. Shaping the experience Whiskey in country culture is defined as much by where it is consumed as how it is made. It belongs in places that are lived in rather than designed, roadside bars, back porches, open fields, small venues where the line between performer and audience is blurred. This is where the overlap with music becomes most visible. Live country music venues are not just performance spaces; they are environments built around interaction. Whiskey, in this context, is part of the rhythm of the evening. It slows things down, encourages conversation, and creates a sense of familiarity, even among strangers. The ritual is informal but consistent. A drink poured without ceremony, a glass passed across a worn wooden bar, a quiet moment between songs. These details rarely make headlines, but they define the atmosphere. Holding onto authenticity As country culture has expanded globally, so too has the visibility of whiskey within it. There is now a clear commercial dimension, with brands such as Jack Daniel’s becoming synonymous with the culture itself. Yet the underlying relationship has not fundamentally changed. What continues to resonate is authenticity. Both whiskey and country culture are valued not for how they are presented, but for how closely they remain tied to their origins. Attempts to refine or reposition them too far from that foundation tend to lose what made them compelling in the first place. Within country culture, it is not about knowledge or status. It is about understanding the setting. The whiskey in your hand sits within a wider world, shaped by the same landscapes, histories, and communities that give rise to the music around you.
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Key Takeaways from C2C London 2026
The Maverick Country team had the pleasure of attending this year’s Country to Country (C2C) 2026, at London’s O2 Arena between Friday, March 13 and Sunday, March 15. A week on from the festival, our editor breaks down the team’s biggest takeaways from a phenomenal show. As soon as you make your way through North Greenwich station and step outside, you’re swept away by the jubilant atmosphere, the vast array of cowboy hats and the feeling you’re witnessing something big. Why the O2 Arena remains the perfect home for C2C The O2 Arena offers an excellent staging ground for just one part of Europe’s biggest country music festival. Indeed, across the whole weekend, the festival saw over 100,000 visitors who also flocked to the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and the SSE Arena in Belfast. The reason the O2 offered a great setting for C2C was the harmony of the stages flowing between different sections of the festival ground. These offered moments where artists took the roof off and a more intimate atmosphere alike. Headliners and songwriter moments that defined the weekend The festival was headlined by Brooks and Dunn, Zach Top and Keith Urban. Keith Urban also played host to the CMA’s Songwriter Series, which was a chance for fans to get in deep with the artists and the stories behind their songs, really highlighting the storytelling tradition of the genre. The Songwriter Series took place in the indigo which also hosted the BBC Radio 2 stage. The station also provided coverage on Saturday and Sunday. Discovering emerging talent across every stage The Maverick Country team had the pleasure of experiencing many of the smaller stages such as the Dutton Ranch Stage, the Saloon and the AXS Big Entrance stage, the latter of which offered passers by the pleasure of soaking up just a piece of the festival atmosphere. We got to meet artists from the UK like Hannah Jane Lewis and Olivia Lynn, both of whom have been featured on BBC Introducing. And lest we forget the Aussies: Tyla Rodrigues, who is set to play CMC Rocks in Queensland this weekend, and Max Jackson who is an ambassador for Australia’s biggest country music event, Tamworth Country Music Festival. International artists embrace European audiences We had the privilege of seeing many of the American artists who made the journey across the pond. These included Annie Bosko, Ashland Craft, Dylan Schneider, Liam St. John, Ryan and Rory, Alyssa Flaherty, Solon Holt and Tyler Sjöström. Many of them had also performed at C2C Berlin and Rotterdam the previous weekend, it being their first time performing outside of the States for the vast majority. When we asked the American artists what they had noticed about the European audiences compared to the crowds they are used to playing in front of, overwhelmingly the response was that Europeans tend to “actually listen” to the music. Tuning in and showing up for their favourite artists seems to be something the emerging artists really appreciated about their C2C experience. UK fans prove why country music is booming If there’s one thing we could say about the UK audience, it’s they really did turn up the party. Many of the American artists we spoke to said how impressed they were with the dedication of the fans, particularly through their knowledge of their lyrics and their fashion. Indeed, the popularity of the genre at this current moment in time cannot be overstated; the CMA recently revealed country music consumption in the UK has increased by 181% since 2020 and has been the fastest growing genre in the UK for the past three years. C2C expansion signals a major moment for UK live music With the festival expanding to Manchester’s AO Arena next year, this really is the time C2C marks a big event on the UK live music calendar.
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CMA expands partnership with Country to Country Festival
The Country Music Association (CMA) has expanded its partnership with Country to Country Festival (C2C).
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So Long, Good Friday Line-up Announced For Liverpool
So Long, Good Friday have shared the full line-up for their new all-dayer, taking place in the heart of Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle on Friday 3rd April 2026. Brummie duo GANS and Brighton’s jazz-punk six-piece Opus Kink lead the charge, bringing their energetic live sets to the north west. They are joining previously announced headliners Fat Dog. The second wave announcement also features another selection of future heavyweights from every corner of the country and beyond. The line up also includes electro-punk My First Time, East-London psychedelia enthusiasts Roscoe Roscoe, and Mancunion “Gub Rock”-ers Mleko. East Exchange, Gravy, Hank Bee, Miles Temp, Mleko, and Sunda Blue complete the second wave announcement, showcasing a hand-picked, genre-blurring lineup of some of the best bands on the current live circuit. The first wave announcement included South London haiku-loving trio Honeyglaze, Chicago’s early-millenium indie-rockers Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Halifax Heavenly band The Orielles, Wigan-born alt-rockstar TTSSFU and Manchester’s most high-energy electronic duo Silverwingkiller. The full lineup can be found below. The all-dayer will span several venues in Liverpool’s cultural hub the Baltic Triangle. The venues include Hangar 34, District, 24 Kitchen Street, and Camp & Furnace, all within walking distance of each other. So Long, Good Friday aims to showcase the best upcoming artists at an affordable price, keeping the event accessible to as many new music fans as possible. Organisers HSP and The Good Times shared, “We’re delighted to announce the second wave of acts for So Long, Good Friday, our brand new all-day festival in the heart of Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. We’ve got international and local acts rubbing shoulders on an exciting bill that’s got something for everyone. A Good Friday guaranteed!”
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Country to Country festival is coming to Manchester in 2027
Country to Country is set to come to Manchester in 2027. The multi-arena event will be coming to the North of England next year, with organisers announcing the news one day before the festival kicks off in London, Belfast and Glasgow. AO Arena and New Century Hall to host performances Next year, Country to Country will be coming to AO Arena over three days and festival goers will also be able to catch acts at the city’s New Century Hall. More venues in Manchester and a full line up are yet to be announced. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 20. The event will be supported by Manchester Accommodation BID, a ground-breaking initiative led by the city’s hotel and serviced apartment providers to help bring new events to Manchester and Salford. Country to Country 2026 festival lineup and locations This year, the multi-location event will light up The O2 Arena in London, the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, and the SSE Arena in Belfast over three days. Headlined by Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn, the festival will also include songwriter showcases, daytime stages, and immersive fan experiences.
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Bailey Zimmerman adds 8 new RIAA certifications to his hit-filled catalogue
Multi-platinum country star Bailey Zimmerman adds eight new certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), further solidifying his status as one of country music’s most dominant hitmakers. Zimmerman celebrated the milestone backstage at his sold-out arena show of the Different Night Same Rodeo Tour in Boston, MA at the TD Garden. In addition to the eight new certifications, Zimmerman’s debut album Religiously is notably 2x Platinum. Upon its release in 2023, the album was not only the biggest streaming debut for a country album in history, but also the biggest all-genre streaming debut since 2021. His newly certified titles include: “Rock and a Hard Place” – 8× Platinum “Fall in Love” – 6× Platinum “Where It Ends” – 3× Platinum “Backup Plan” – Platinum “Holy Smokes” – Platinum “House On Fire” – Gold “New To Country” – Gold “You Don’t Want That Smoke” – Gold Previously certified titles Religiously. The Album – 2× Platinum “Religiously” – 4× Platinum “All The Way” – 2x Platinum “Never Comin’ Home” – Platinum “Change” – Gold “Fix’n to Break” – Gold “Get to Gettin’ Gone” – Gold “Never Leave” – Gold “Chase Her” – Gold These certifications come on the heels of Zimmerman’s first-ever headline arena tour – the Different Night Same Rodeo Tour where he will be bringing the dynamic live show to 30+ venues across the US and Canada. The tour will also hit Europe later this summer, kicking off in Glasgow on August 27. He is set to make stops in Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, London, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Stockholm before wrapping in Oslo, Norway on September 12. The European leg will feature support from Chandler Walters. Last year, Zimmerman released his sophomore album, Different Night Same Rodeo, which debuted in the Top 15 of Billboard’s Top 200 All Genre chart and Top 3 of Billboard’s Country Albums chart via Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville. Produced by longtime collaborator Austin Shawn, Different Night Same Rodeo showcases Zimmerman’s continued evolution with arena-ready rock-powered country anthems. The album features the Top 10 newly Platinum-certified single “Holy Smokes,” alongside newly Gold-certified fan favourite “New To Country.” It also includes the chart-topping collaboration “Backup Plan” featuring Luke Combs, which hit No. 1 in September, as well as standout tracks “Comin’ In Cold,” “Lost” with The Kid LAROI, and “Ashes” with Diplo, among other tracks. DIFFERENT NIGHT SAME RODEO TOUR 2026 Thu, Feb 19 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena * Sat, Feb 21 – Athens, GA – Akins Ford Arena * Thu, Feb 26 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena * Fri, Feb 27 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center * Sat, Feb 28 – Pikeville, KY – Appalachian Wireless Arena * Thu, Mar 5 – Boston, MA – TD Garden * Thu, Mar 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena * Fri, Mar 13 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena * Sat, Mar 14 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center * Fri, Mar 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater * Thu, Apr 2 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena * Fri, Apr 3 – Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center * Sat, Apr 4 – Corpus Christi, TX – Hilliard Center Arena * Thu, Apr 9 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena * Fri, Apr 10 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena * Sat, Apr 11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center * Thu, Apr 16 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center * Fri, Apr 17 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center * Sat, Apr 18 – Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center * Thu, Apr 30 – Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center Propst Arena * Fri, May 1 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater * Sat, May 2 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater * Thu, Jun 4 – Airway Heights, WA – Northern Quest Amphitheater * Fri, Jun 5 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater * Sat, Jun 6 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater * Wed, Jun 10 – Abbotsford, BC – Rogers Forum * Thu, Jun 11 – Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place * Sat, Jun 13 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place * Thu, Jun 18 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre * Fri, Jun 19 – London, ON – Canada Life Place * Sat, Jun 20 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre * Thu, Aug 27 – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy + Mon, Aug 31 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia + Tue, Sep 1 – Belfast, UK – The Waterfront Hall + Thu, Sep 3 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse + Fri, Sep 4 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton + Sun, Sep 6 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg The Max + Tue, Sep 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks + Thu, Sep 10 – Stockholm, Sweden – Fållan + Sat, Sep 12 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum + * Support from Hudson Westbrook & Blake Whiten + Support from Chandler Walters
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Ryan and Rory – “Wasn’t Thinkin'”
It’s exactly the sort of joyful chaos that great country party songs are about.
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