So I think Cam has just done the best show I've ever seen. The songs. The voice. The band. The pacing. The setlist. Perfect.

We're a disgrace in the UK, Madi Dias couldn't sell enough tickets at modest venues on a headline tour. Only London is going ahead. She's a super talent, written songs you'll know so well, and he own music is brilliantly understated.

Great paragraph from Simon Price about the price of gig tickets. I've had a bugbear about the gig going experience for a few years now. Nothing about it is nice. Nothing. Yes the show can be good, but the venue is almost always shit, as Simon says you enjoy the show despite it

Where it started to where it is. My first Substack. Short recaps of encounters with Sturgill, Fulbright, Maren, Amanda, and Jason. open.substack.com/pub/campfire...

This is one of the greatest gig lineup's of all time

What even is this festival these days?? Who goes??? Wet Leg into Lewis Capaldi??? The Looks into The Cure??? Rick Astley, Five, Anastasia and KT Tunstall main stage on Saturday? What am I looking at???? #IOW2026

Giving the lovely pink @dinkededition.bsky.social of Courtney Marie Andrews new record a spin. It's her best yet, building on everything she's done before to make something beautiful.

Fust tonight at The Louisiana. If you don't know their record Big Ugly, check it out, you'll like it. tidal.com/browse/album...

With Fust kicking off their UK tour in London tonight, check out my interview with Aaron Dowdy to find out where their stories and inspiration comes from. www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/int...

Interesting article, I've literally been saying this for about two years. Look at I'm A Celeb too. It's not just people.of colour... app.independent.co.uk/2026/01/07/2...

2025 retro. EPs are not always my thing but Minna's Camino was a terrific 5 song package of quiet Americana rock. tidal.com/browse/album...

2025 retro. Too many people slept on Madeline Edwards excellent second album, FRUIT. Beautiful and heartbreaking yet full of hummable melodies. There was nothing else like it. tidal.com/browse/album...

If you're looking for something to listen to today I've been getting into Sophia Zamani 's 2024 and 2025 records. She's country leaning Americana, with some grit about her. tidal.com/browse/album...

New feature launched for the holidays over on Campfire Tales. Turn Back Time. It's a treasure trove of interviews I've conducted over the years with anyone who's anyone. Starting today with Cam, Gabby Barrett, and Katie Toupin from 2020 and lockdown. campfiretales.uk/turnbacktime...

RIP Chris Rea. One of my top 3 Christmas songs. Love it. Plus 'Auberge', great tune. tidal.com/browse/track...

So many great records represented here. It's so tough putting these lists together. Kudos to Carter Faith, Madeline Edwards, Kelsey Waldon, Margo Price, Ashley Monroe, Jake Owen, Caylee Hammack, Kristina Murray, Charley, Brandi, and Tyler in particular. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Miranda Lambert's 'Tourist' is such a Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda vibe I don't even have to check if they wrote it. I know they did. tidal.com/browse/track...

Have always thought Maddie & Tae were underrated. They were so much more than just Girl In A Country Song - though that is a stone cold classic. people.com/country-duo-...

What to buy...

Tidal Rewind is back for 2025. Self Esteem, Caylee Hammack, and more British rock than I'd expected.

One of 2025's underrated records. Ashland Craft - Dive Bar Beauty Queen tidal.com/browse/album...

About damn time. Now get on and implement a law. www.theguardian.com/money/2025/n...

Big Wet Leg fan here. Mostly loved their live show. Read all my thoughts below

Kelsea Ballerina just gets better and better. Her new EP is a lovely thing. tidal.com/browse/album...

Would it be bad to include these as a joint entry in my favourite records of the year list...

Roundhouse in London tomorrow and I can't wait. D R E A M S I C L E is one of the underrated records of 2025. Listen to 'this is how a woman leaves' after reading my chat with Maren and you'll hear a lot of what she was talked about; vocals, layering, melodies.

Enjoying this bro-country-turns-authentic trend. Chase Rice has pulled a trio of decent records out in the last year or so and now Jake Owens has released his first decent record. Very sad-trad type stuff and it's good. tidal.com/browse/album...

This is journalism 🙏🏻 www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

Joshua Ray Walker released the most original and incentive record I can remember for a long time. 'Bowling Ball' is such a cool song tidal.com/browse/album...

What a song this is. Brandi's new record is just beautiful. tidal.com/browse/track...

This is such a great song. Written by Maren with Madi Diaz and Sarah Buxton it's no surprise. Interviewed Maren today for an upcoming Nine Songs feature and her performance on this song resonates with our conversation about vocal styles.

Exciting news! The Fust band will be heading to the UK in January. 100% will be at their Bristol show

Missed this on release but on first listen it's a beaut of a record. Kinda folk-y, kinda country, definitely worth a listen. Nice work Thelma & James (aka MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge)

Genuinely adore Lauren Watkins voice, and there are a couple of crackers here - 👍🏻 Britches - but I want for such better songs for her.

Really want her to be better than this. Nice voice and showed some attitude on her debut, this is just all a bit meh

Saw Kelsey's show in Phoenix earlier this week and she (and her band) were unbelievable! Great interview

With some trepidation I'm about to listen to Hardy's new record. His usual solo stuff is shit but his Hixtape's are actually great. Too bro heavy but still tidal.com/browse/album...

Oooph. Hits hard.

Recommended records of the month, September 2025 Nicholas Jamerson - The Narrow Way #2 tidal.com/browse/album...

Recommended records of the month, September 2025 #1 Miles Miller - Mr. Runaway tidal.com/browse/album...

Can't wait for Mae Estes record, due in a couple of weeks. tidal.com/browse/track...

Snap thoughts on the C2C 2026 announcement campfiretales.uk/gigs-festiva...

One of my favourite songs of the year, thanks @cmatbaby.bsky.social sorry Jamie. tidal.com/browse/track...

Well lads, probably shouldn't have sold for the corporate dollar then

The most vital British band around tidal.com/browse/artis...

American friends I need help... If I book a booth in a dive bar for a live show I assume I need to buy admission tickets as well?

Had first time listens to both these records today. Both good in their own right, but one is far more innovative and interesting.

What an album. Wolf Alice just go from strength to strength. The songwriting has improved immeasurably since their debut, as has their ability to craft the songs in the studio. The Clearing, and Blue Weekend, are their arena ready records.

I know I'm not the audience for Sabrina Carpenter but I'm not really for Lorde, Billie Eilish & Olivia Rodrigo either and there's lots to admire & enjoy in their music. It comes down to authenticity & the overly cynical attempts to be "sexy". It bleeds into the music, which makes it so try hard

Great review this. Have never understood why Margo hasn't got the recognition she deserves. Her first two are two of the best country albums of the last 10 years and Hands Of Time is an all-time classic.