The UK Americana Awards 2025, powered by Sweet Home Alabama, took center stage on Thursday, January 23, with a glittering ceremony at Hackney Church, London. The event celebrated the finest talent in UK and international Americana and roots music, showcasing remarkable performances and honoring industry achievements.

US singer-songwriters Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were among the night’s biggest winners, taking home both Best International Album for ‘Woodland’ and Best International Single for ‘Empty Trainload of Sky.’ Released in 2024, ‘Woodland’ marks their first album of original material since 2017 and has garnered widespread acclaim.

On the UK front, London-based artist Hannah White triumphed with two major awards: UK Artist of the Year and UK Album of the Year for her celebrated record ‘Sweet Revolution.’ Known as a leading voice in the homegrown Americana scene, White’s album has been praised for its artistic growth and impact.

Other standout winners included Robert Vincent, who earned UK Song of the Year for his poignant track ‘Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow’ and Keiron Marshall, named UK Instrumentalist of the Year. Meanwhile, Jason Isbell, hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation, received the prestigious International Artist of the Year Award.

Kezia Gill, known for her electrifying live performances, took home the Live Act of the Year Award, while the Grassroots Award went to independent promoter David Messer for his outstanding contributions to Americana music. Bob Harris’s Emerging Artist Award was given to rising English guitarist Toby Lee.

Special honors were a highlight of the night, with legendary soul icon Candi Staton receiving the International Lifetime Achievement Award. Four-time Grammy winner Lyle Lovett was honored with the International Trailblazer Award, and groundbreaking Irish artist CMAT was celebrated with the UK/Ireland Trailblazer Award.

The evening featured an eclectic lineup of live performances, including Lyle Lovett, CMAT, Hannah White, Robert Vincent, Kezia Gill, and others, culminating in a show-stopping group rendition of Candi Staton’s iconic hit ‘You Got The Love’ featuring Staton herself.

Hosted by broadcaster Baylen Leonard, the ceremony welcomed a star-studded crowd of artists, industry executives, and media representatives. Presenters included Bob Harris OBE, Ralph McLean, Paul Sexton, and representatives from London’s renowned venue The Green Note.

The awards marked the grand finale of the UK Americana Music Week 2025, which included two nights of showcases across Hackney and a thought-provoking conference exploring the theme “Can Songs Change the World? Americana in 2025.” The week featured performances by artists like Danni Nicholls, Robert Vincent, and Willie Watson, alongside panels and discussions at Night Tales in Hackney.

Supported by Sweet Home Alabama, along with partners such as CIMA, PPL, PRS for Music, and Uncut, the UK Americana Awards 2025 reaffirmed the genre’s vibrancy and its global appeal.

Award Winners:

UK ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Elles Bailey  

Ferris & Sylvester 

Hannah White – WINNER

Katherine Priddy 

Robert Vincent 

The Heavy Heavy 

UK ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Elles Bailey - Beneath The Neon Glow

Hannah White - Sweet Revolution – WINNER

Kathryn Williams & Withered Hand - Willson Williams

Nina Nesbitt – Mountain Music  

The Hanging Stars - On A Golden Shore

The Heavy Heavy - One of a Kind

UK SONG OF THE YEAR

Blue Rose Code – “Sadie” 

Brown Horse – “Stealing Horses” 

Jack Francis – “Failure” 

Nina Nesbitt – “Pages” 

Our Man In The Field – “L’Etranger” 

Robert Vincent – “Follow What You Love and Love Will Follow” – WINNER

UK INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR

Ashley Campbell 

Henry Senior Jr 

Joe Coombs 

Joe Harvey White 

Joe Wilkins 

Keiron Marshall – WINNER

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Bonny Light Horseman 

Charley Crockett 

Jason Isbell – WINNER

Larkin Poe 

Sierra Ferrell 

Waxahatchee 

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

American Aquarium - The Fear Of Standing Still

Bonny Light Horseman - Keep Me On Your Mind/See You Free

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland – WINNER

Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well

Kyshona – Legacy  

Willie Watson – Willie Watson  

INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – “Empty Trainload of Sky” – WINNER

Hurray For The Riff Raff – “Buffalo”  

Julian Taylor & Allison Russell – “Pathways” 

Kyshona – “The Echo” 

Lizzie No – “The Heartbreak Store” 

Sierra Ferrell – “American Dreaming” 

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR

Ben Ottewell & Ian Ball (of Gomez) 

Campbell Jensen 

Danny & The Champions of the World  

Kezia Gill - WINNER

Lola Kirke 

Morganway 

Savannah Gardner 

Skinny Lister 

The Heavy Heavy 

Wunderhorse