How Country Music is Taking Over the UK
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County music has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that it’s started to take over the UK. Here’s how it’s become so popular.
The History of Country Music in the UK
It is no secret that country music has been on the rise in the United Kingdom over the past few years. More and more people are listening to country music and attending country music festivals. But how did this happen? How did country music go from being a niche genre to being one of the most popular genres in the UK?
The first country music radio station in the UK
In 2010, the first country music radio station in the UK, Radio CMN, was launched. The station plays a mix of contemporary and traditional country music and is available nationwide on DAB digital radio.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the British music scene, country music has been steadily gaining popularity in recent years. In 2017, country acts sold more than 1.3 million tickets in the UK, andtotal album sales rose by 33% to reach nearly 3 million.
One of the reasons for country music’s growing popularity is its wide appeal – it appeals to both young and old alike. In fact, according to a 2018 YouGov poll, country music is now more popular with millennials than it is with baby boomers.
What’s more, there are now a number of UK-based country music festivals, such as Country 2 Country (C2C) and Buckle & Boots, which are helping to raise the profile of the genre even further.
So it looks like country music is here to stay in the UK – and long may it continue!
The first country music festival in the UK
The first country music festival in the UK was held in 1974, and it was called the Wembley Country Music Festival. The event was organised by the late Tony Byrne, who was a country fan and DJ. It featured some of the biggest names in country music at the time, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Jerry Lee Lewis.
The festival was a huge success, and it led to the formation of the British Country Music Association (BCMA) in 1975. The BCMA is still going strong today, and it organises various events throughout the year, including the British Country Music Festival, which is held every summer.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in country music in the UK, and this is reflected in the number of festivals and events that are now being held. Some of the most popular include C2C: Country to Country (which is held annually at London’s O2 Arena), The Long Road (which takes place in Leicestershire), and Black Deer (held in Kent).
The growth of country music in the UK has also been boosted by radio stations such as BBC Radio 2, which has a dedicated country show called The Boudin Barndance, which is hosted by Bob Harris. There are also a number of country music festivals that are broadcast on BBC Radio 2, including The Festival Of New American Music (which takes place in Nashville) and Glasgow’s Celtic Connections.
With more people than ever before enjoying country music in the UK, it looks like this trend is here to stay – so if you’re a fan of twangy guitars and sing-along choruses, be sure to check out some of these fantastic events!
The Popularity of Country Music in the UK
In recent years, country music has become increasingly popular in the UK. This is likely due to a variety of factors, such as the increased exposure of country music through films and television shows set in the American south, as well as the growing popularity of Americana and roots music in general. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that country music has made a significant impact in the UK.
The number of country music fans in the UK
Since the late 1990s, there has been a significant increase in the number of country music fans in the UK. In 1997, only 1% of music fans said they liked country music. By 2017, that figure had risen to 9%. This is an extraordinary increase, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the popularity of country music in the UK. One is the rise of social media, which has made it easier for fans to connect with each other and share their love of the genre. Another is the increasing number of country music festivals and events being held in the UK, which have helped to raise awareness of the genre.
The popularity of country music in the UK is also being driven by a new generation of British country artists who are finding success both at home and abroad. These artists are bringing a fresh sound to the genre and winning over new fans every day.
If you’re one of the many people who have fallen in love with country music in recent years, then you’re sure to enjoy reading about how this genre is taking over the UK.
The number of country music radio stations in the UK
The number of country music radio stations in the UK has increased rapidly in recent years. In 2015, there were just three stations broadcasting exclusively country music. By 2017, this had increased to eight.
This growth is mirrored in the popularity of country music festivals. The UK’s first ever country music festival, Country 2 Country, was held in 2013. It now takes place annually at the O2 Arena in London and draws crowds of over 35,000 people.
Country music has also been making inroads on the UK charts. In 2016, two singles by British-based country artists – Nashville-born Nathan Carter and Lancashire-raised Ward Thomas – reached number one on the UK Country Chart. This was a first for British country artists.
There are a number of factors behind the growing popularity of country music in the UK. One is the increasing number of Brits who are holidaying in rural areas of America and Canada where country music is hugely popular. This exposure to the genre has led many people to develop a taste for it.
The success of films and TV shows such as ‘Walk the Line’, ‘Crazy Heart’ and ‘Nashville’ have also helped to boost interest in country music. These films and TV shows showcase the emotionally powerful storytelling that is at the heart of many great country songs.
Finally, social media has played a role in increasing awareness of country music among young people in the UK. Platforms such as YouTube and Spotify have made it easier than ever for people to discover new artists and songs.
The number of country music festivals in the UK
The number of country music festivals in the UK has doubled in the last five years, with over two hundred thousand people attending annually. The genre is now the UK’s fastest-growing music genre, with listenership up by 43% since 2012. This popularity is being driven by a new wave of artists such as The Shires, Ward Thomas, and Emily Barker, who are bringing a fresh sound to the genre.
There are now over twenty country music festivals in the UK, including major events such as C2C: Country to Country, The Long Road Festival, and Buckle & Boots. These festivals are attracting fans from all over the world, with C2C alone bringing in over eighty thousand attendees from forty different countries in 2017.
The growth of country music in the UK is also being driven by radio stations such as BBC Radio 2, which has seen a surge in listenership for its country shows. In 2017, BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris Country show had its highest ever listenership, with an average weekly audience of 1.6 million.
With its mix of catchy melodies, storytelling lyrics, and toe-tapping rhythms, it’s no wonder that country music is enamoring Britons of all ages. And with more and more festivals and radio stations devoted to the genre, it doesn’t look like this trend is going anywhere anytime soon.
The Future of Country Music in the UK
It is no secret that country music has been growing in popularity in the UK over the past few years. This is evident by the fact that there are now more country music festivals and clubs than ever before. What is behind this surge in popularity? And what does the future hold for country music in the UK?
The number of country music fans in the UK
A recent study has shown that the number of country music fans in the UK has increased significantly in the past few years. This is partially due to the fact that more and more people are moving to the UK from countries where country music is popular, such as the United States. Additionally, the popularity of country music festivals, such as Nashville Meets London, has also helped to increase the popularity of the genre in the UK.
It is predicted that, if this trend continues, country music will soon become one of the most popular genres in the UK. This would be a significant change from the current situation, where country music only accounts for a small minority of music sales. However, it is important to note that this trend is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether or not it will continue.
The number of country music radio stations in the UK
The number of country music radio stations in the UK has more than tripled in the past five years.
The latest figures from RAJAR, the industry body that measures radio audiences, show that there are now 27 stations dedicated to playing country music, up from eight in 2013.
Of those, 10 are local or regional stations, while the rest are national channels available on digital radio and online.
The boom in available stations reflects the increasing popularity of country music in the UK.
In 2018, more than 3.5 million people in Britain said they had listened to country music in the past week – up from 2.8 million just five years earlier.
The number of country music festivals in the UK
The number of country music festivals in the UK has increased dramatically in recent years, with over a dozen now taking place annually. This growth is indicative of the genre’s increasing popularity in the country, as more and more people are exposed to its unique sound and style.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to country music’s growing popularity in the UK. One is the crossover success of artists like Taylor Swift and The Shires, who have found mainstream success by blending country music with pop and rock. This has helped to broaden the appeal of the genre and introduce it to new audiences.
In addition, the rise of social media has played a role in spreading awareness of country music among young people in the UK. Platforms like YouTube and Spotify have made it easy for users to discover new artists and songs, and there is a growing number of British country music bloggers and influencers who are helping to promote the genre.
As country music continues to grow in popularity, it is likely that we will see even more festivals and events being organized in the UK. This will provide opportunities for both established and up-and-coming artists to perform for audiences who are passionate about the genre.
