The C2C Sit Down with Kezia Gill
UK Live Act of the Year at this year’s Americana Music Association UK Americana Awards Kezia Gill certainly needs no introduction to country Music fans in the UK. With an awards cabinet that fills up on a constant basis and having played pretty much every stage in existence on the UK festival circuit, Derbyshire’s finest will finally get to deservedly fly the British flag and perform inside the main arena at C2C: Country to Country in London at this year’s event. Prior to the festival, Jamie jumped on Zoom with Kezia to look ahead to the event and her forthcoming trip to Australia.
Hey Kezia, thanks for hanging out because I know you’re super busy with getting ready for C2C and then heading down under to Brisbane pretty much straight after.
“Yeah it’s on the Monday that we fly. I feel like when you’re playing C2C it's always busy anyway but we have really packed it in this year and we've got Glasgow as well as London so I'll be lucky if I get a chance to see anyone but that being said I can't wait, it’s one of my favourite weekends of the year.”
The Saturday night at The O2 is going to be a big one. You have played the festival before and done some hosting in the arena but to finally get that slot in there on the Spotlight Stage is something you have worked for and definitely earnt.
“Yeah, I think if I'm being honest, I'll definitely feel the pressure and don't get me wrong I don't feel like I've got something to prove because I feel like I've been really working hard for the last five years to take care of that kind of thing. It's more just the pressure to make everyone proud because it is a big deal, there have only been a very small number of British artists that have ever had this opportunity. You just want it to go well, you want to look great, you want to sound great and you want everyone at the end of it to be like, oh, didn't she do well? I feel that pressure with every show, but there's this certainly no denying that the pressure's up there with this one. You know what though, ten minutes is going to just come and go in the blink of an eye and it will be six months' worth of worrying about it and dreaming about it. I'm going to try and absorb every moment of it, even you know, getting to the stage, walking through the arena, having that moment just before you go on where you appreciate what's about to happen. Because of the way it's all set out, I'm effectively facing the back tiers of the arena, but also remembering all the people behind me, that it's going to be my name on the big screen and my massive face for all to see ha-ha. I'm just going to really try and absorb every moment because it is a big deal. It's a big deal for me and it is a big deal for the fans of British country music because it's something that people have been wanting to see, though it's like with great power it becomes great responsibility. It does feel a bit like that, but ultimately, I just want to make people proud, that's all.”
Hey Kezia, thanks for hanging out because I know you’re super busy with getting ready for C2C and then heading down under to Brisbane pretty much straight after.
“Yeah it’s on the Monday that we fly. I feel like when you’re playing C2C it's always busy anyway but we have really packed it in this year and we've got Glasgow as well as London so I'll be lucky if I get a chance to see anyone but that being said I can't wait, it’s one of my favourite weekends of the year.”
The Saturday night at The O2 is going to be a big one. You have played the festival before and done some hosting in the arena but to finally get that slot in there on the Spotlight Stage is something you have worked for and definitely earnt.
“Yeah, I think if I'm being honest, I'll definitely feel the pressure and don't get me wrong I don't feel like I've got something to prove because I feel like I've been really working hard for the last five years to take care of that kind of thing. It's more just the pressure to make everyone proud because it is a big deal, there have only been a very small number of British artists that have ever had this opportunity. You just want it to go well, you want to look great, you want to sound great and you want everyone at the end of it to be like, oh, didn't she do well? I feel that pressure with every show, but there's this certainly no denying that the pressure's up there with this one. You know what though, ten minutes is going to just come and go in the blink of an eye and it will be six months' worth of worrying about it and dreaming about it. I'm going to try and absorb every moment of it, even you know, getting to the stage, walking through the arena, having that moment just before you go on where you appreciate what's about to happen. Because of the way it's all set out, I'm effectively facing the back tiers of the arena, but also remembering all the people behind me, that it's going to be my name on the big screen and my massive face for all to see ha-ha. I'm just going to really try and absorb every moment because it is a big deal. It's a big deal for me and it is a big deal for the fans of British country music because it's something that people have been wanting to see, though it's like with great power it becomes great responsibility. It does feel a bit like that, but ultimately, I just want to make people proud, that's all.”
In terms of the actual performance, are you just going up there on your own or are you going to somebody else with you?
“I do have Luke (Thomas) joining me as second guitarists and backing vocals. We played around with it for a while, I got to play the OVO Hydro in 2023 and I just did it on my own. I think there's something really powerful about just getting up there on your own but I think at the same time when you are given an opportunity like that, you need to make it as big and as much as it can be. Luke's a great guitar player, the difference having those two sections and the added male BV as well on top of my voice, I think it's going to bring just a bit of extra shine to it.”
I know you're doing the stage in Glasgow again this year as well, but I guess having done that before, it really helps in terms of doing a short set on an acoustic set within an arena where you can gauge what worked and what you can maybe play around with for this time.
“Exactly and as well, you've got all the technical stuff like the sound in an arena as when you sing in a space like that, there's so much echo that is bouncing off and you’re wearing your in-ear monitors. One piece of advice that someone said was when you have finished your set and hopefully people are applauding, just pop an ear out and hear the room because obviously you’re miked up in your ear so it will be like listening to headphones applause, so take one out to hear the arena as the noise in an arena is unreal. I did that at the OVO and I’ll definitely be doing it in London, where if I wait until the end I will hopefully hear the cheer.”
We touched on it earlier but straight after C2C, you are off to Australia to play CMC Rocks which is their huge country festival down under. I know you have been to Aus before but this time to be a part of such a big event and is something you are really looking forward to.
“Again, it's that layer of responsibility where I'm you know carrying the flag really and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's just life changing performances and life changing moments, sometimes something will happen in life and you don't know it's a life changing moment until it happens, but the weird thing is with this is that I know it's going to be massive and all I can do is think about it. What was really funny is that I was chatting with Imogen Clark who was the Australian artist that opened up for me on the first leg of my tour and she was saying this sort of time of year in Australia is their autumn. She was like, it will be warm, but it's not going to be like crazy summer warm. I thought, that's fine as obviously being a ginger woman I can deal with that. Then I got talking with the guy that is going to be looking after my stage crew, running tracks and things like that, who said we always have a backup computer because in the 40-degree heat, the computers can fail on stage and I went WHAT? He went oh yeah! It's gonna get hot as it's basically their late summer. So, Imogen's done me dirty and now I'm probably just going to slither out as like a ball of factor fifty. I need to be like one of those regal princesses where I just walk out with an umbrella ha-ha. I would have to make sure it had a Union Jack on it though!”
Love it. Through summer back here where we’re hoping for a nice sunny one but nowhere near that kind of temperature, it’s looking busy and not just with pure country events. It’s great to see more and more festivals incorporating country and Americana artists where it is more open and it doesn’t feel as taboo or a novelty in the mainstream thanks to people like Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and everything on TikTok.
“You're absolutely right. I think for so long it was that whole Country and Western idea where we're all line dancing, cowboy wannabes but actually no. Whether you decide to wear the country fashion is just your prerogative, it's definitely hot right now. You only have to go onto the high street to see boots, tassels and all that kind of thing but for me, it was just always about the music and I'm a big fan of the rockier side of country. The Brothers Osborne vibe and a lot of the stuff that Luke Combs does as I'm a massive fan of the Twister soundtrack, you know, I love that kind of music. There's nothing twangy or ye-haw about this, it's great music, it's big, it's anthemic, it's big melodies and that's a lot of what I try and carry in my music. What is great, like you were saying, not only is there more country specific festivals, but more genre bending festivals and crossover festivals that are having country stages or having country artists play the big top stage, the second stage or even the main stages in some cases. I'm actually being booked as a country artist, I'm not stuck on some stage in the back with hay bales, it's like no, you're playing the main stage or you're playing the big top. That's amazing because all you want is for more people to find this music and walk away, where ultimately, it's all about growing the genre, growing as an artist, getting more fans and it is happening. It really is happening!"
“I do have Luke (Thomas) joining me as second guitarists and backing vocals. We played around with it for a while, I got to play the OVO Hydro in 2023 and I just did it on my own. I think there's something really powerful about just getting up there on your own but I think at the same time when you are given an opportunity like that, you need to make it as big and as much as it can be. Luke's a great guitar player, the difference having those two sections and the added male BV as well on top of my voice, I think it's going to bring just a bit of extra shine to it.”
I know you're doing the stage in Glasgow again this year as well, but I guess having done that before, it really helps in terms of doing a short set on an acoustic set within an arena where you can gauge what worked and what you can maybe play around with for this time.
“Exactly and as well, you've got all the technical stuff like the sound in an arena as when you sing in a space like that, there's so much echo that is bouncing off and you’re wearing your in-ear monitors. One piece of advice that someone said was when you have finished your set and hopefully people are applauding, just pop an ear out and hear the room because obviously you’re miked up in your ear so it will be like listening to headphones applause, so take one out to hear the arena as the noise in an arena is unreal. I did that at the OVO and I’ll definitely be doing it in London, where if I wait until the end I will hopefully hear the cheer.”
We touched on it earlier but straight after C2C, you are off to Australia to play CMC Rocks which is their huge country festival down under. I know you have been to Aus before but this time to be a part of such a big event and is something you are really looking forward to.
“Again, it's that layer of responsibility where I'm you know carrying the flag really and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's just life changing performances and life changing moments, sometimes something will happen in life and you don't know it's a life changing moment until it happens, but the weird thing is with this is that I know it's going to be massive and all I can do is think about it. What was really funny is that I was chatting with Imogen Clark who was the Australian artist that opened up for me on the first leg of my tour and she was saying this sort of time of year in Australia is their autumn. She was like, it will be warm, but it's not going to be like crazy summer warm. I thought, that's fine as obviously being a ginger woman I can deal with that. Then I got talking with the guy that is going to be looking after my stage crew, running tracks and things like that, who said we always have a backup computer because in the 40-degree heat, the computers can fail on stage and I went WHAT? He went oh yeah! It's gonna get hot as it's basically their late summer. So, Imogen's done me dirty and now I'm probably just going to slither out as like a ball of factor fifty. I need to be like one of those regal princesses where I just walk out with an umbrella ha-ha. I would have to make sure it had a Union Jack on it though!”
Love it. Through summer back here where we’re hoping for a nice sunny one but nowhere near that kind of temperature, it’s looking busy and not just with pure country events. It’s great to see more and more festivals incorporating country and Americana artists where it is more open and it doesn’t feel as taboo or a novelty in the mainstream thanks to people like Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and everything on TikTok.
“You're absolutely right. I think for so long it was that whole Country and Western idea where we're all line dancing, cowboy wannabes but actually no. Whether you decide to wear the country fashion is just your prerogative, it's definitely hot right now. You only have to go onto the high street to see boots, tassels and all that kind of thing but for me, it was just always about the music and I'm a big fan of the rockier side of country. The Brothers Osborne vibe and a lot of the stuff that Luke Combs does as I'm a massive fan of the Twister soundtrack, you know, I love that kind of music. There's nothing twangy or ye-haw about this, it's great music, it's big, it's anthemic, it's big melodies and that's a lot of what I try and carry in my music. What is great, like you were saying, not only is there more country specific festivals, but more genre bending festivals and crossover festivals that are having country stages or having country artists play the big top stage, the second stage or even the main stages in some cases. I'm actually being booked as a country artist, I'm not stuck on some stage in the back with hay bales, it's like no, you're playing the main stage or you're playing the big top. That's amazing because all you want is for more people to find this music and walk away, where ultimately, it's all about growing the genre, growing as an artist, getting more fans and it is happening. It really is happening!"
Looking at releasing new music, “Misfit” came out back in 2023 so where are we in terms of the next project coming out? Are we still writing? Waiting to get in and cut it or now at the position of just waiting the right time to push the button?
“Yeah, we are all queued up and ready to go which is really exciting because it’s the making of the music which can really absorb the time. I went out to Nashville at the back end of last year we recorded the record so it's all lined up and it's just a case of dotting the T’s and crossing the I’s then making sure that we're in a position where it's like, right campaign time let's go. Everyone knows there is new music coming and we're keeping everything cross that the announcement is literally going to be imminent. We want to make a big splash because people have been waiting a year and a half for this new music, I'm super proud of it, in my opinion, it's the best music I've ever made and I'm excited for people to hear it and hopefully love it as much as I do. It's kind of the calm before the storm but I’m buzzing for it, I really am.”
Last time I saw you was obviously in Hackney where it was a very nice surprise seeing you win the award at Americana. That must be up there as one of your biggest accomplishments and most validating because not to kiss your arse, but in country circles over here, you are who everybody talks about. It’s you, it’s Jade (Helliwell), Gary Quinn, it’s (Matt) Hodges and the twins (Ward Thomas) but in Americana, you’re not the same golden child, so it’s a real testament to what you are doing to get the recognition there.
“I think I was honestly as surprised as anyone and I think what was really my saving grace with that was a publicly voted category. I think I have an extremely loyal and organic following online and I tour a lot, I tour every year, I do a lot of shows and I'm known for my live performance. I wasn't up on Facebook begging people to vote for me, I said, if you've seen a Kezia Gill show, if you enjoyed it, you want to pop a tick next to my name, I'd be super grateful then I think people just really got behind it and that's such a lovely thing. I think the first award I ever won in this industry when I got discovered back in 2018 was people's choice. On one hand you could argue, oh, you know, it's just family and friends voting for you, but I don't care, they voted for me and I won it, it's the first award I ever won, you go on to win all of these and it’s the same with that one. To win Live Act, I am a live performer, I love playing live, I love making people happy, I love that buzz of a crowd in a room and I think that’s how I won it, because people just got behind me. I'd love to be more widely accepted in Americana and as in any music, you know, songwriter, you could even say it blurs folk, blues and rock. I think recognition in any genre is super, I'm proud of it.”
“Yeah, we are all queued up and ready to go which is really exciting because it’s the making of the music which can really absorb the time. I went out to Nashville at the back end of last year we recorded the record so it's all lined up and it's just a case of dotting the T’s and crossing the I’s then making sure that we're in a position where it's like, right campaign time let's go. Everyone knows there is new music coming and we're keeping everything cross that the announcement is literally going to be imminent. We want to make a big splash because people have been waiting a year and a half for this new music, I'm super proud of it, in my opinion, it's the best music I've ever made and I'm excited for people to hear it and hopefully love it as much as I do. It's kind of the calm before the storm but I’m buzzing for it, I really am.”
Last time I saw you was obviously in Hackney where it was a very nice surprise seeing you win the award at Americana. That must be up there as one of your biggest accomplishments and most validating because not to kiss your arse, but in country circles over here, you are who everybody talks about. It’s you, it’s Jade (Helliwell), Gary Quinn, it’s (Matt) Hodges and the twins (Ward Thomas) but in Americana, you’re not the same golden child, so it’s a real testament to what you are doing to get the recognition there.
“I think I was honestly as surprised as anyone and I think what was really my saving grace with that was a publicly voted category. I think I have an extremely loyal and organic following online and I tour a lot, I tour every year, I do a lot of shows and I'm known for my live performance. I wasn't up on Facebook begging people to vote for me, I said, if you've seen a Kezia Gill show, if you enjoyed it, you want to pop a tick next to my name, I'd be super grateful then I think people just really got behind it and that's such a lovely thing. I think the first award I ever won in this industry when I got discovered back in 2018 was people's choice. On one hand you could argue, oh, you know, it's just family and friends voting for you, but I don't care, they voted for me and I won it, it's the first award I ever won, you go on to win all of these and it’s the same with that one. To win Live Act, I am a live performer, I love playing live, I love making people happy, I love that buzz of a crowd in a room and I think that’s how I won it, because people just got behind me. I'd love to be more widely accepted in Americana and as in any music, you know, songwriter, you could even say it blurs folk, blues and rock. I think recognition in any genre is super, I'm proud of it.”
I hope it goes really well both at The O2 and in Glasgow but most of all, I hope that you have the best time kind of doing it. I think that there will be a day when we will see somebody from over here on the stage but it has to be down to merit. The talent is unquestionably here but for me it’s when the profile and exposure to the causal audience warrants it because as great as it would be to see a British artist up there, I don’t like the notion of it being a token gesture because that would just fuel the hate of the haters. Some people use “UK Country” as almost a brand similar to what “UK Garage” was when we were growing up and if you compare “UK Country” to “Country” as a whole it is not comparable. The day when it will come to have someone up there and is warranted, I don’t think is far off because the talent level is already here.
“You are absolutely right, I feel like the talent pool is growing here and I'm hearing new names all the time, you see new people coming up on Facebook and through things like TikTok. As much as us as older lot can moan about it, it is a great tool and I don't think it's going to be long at all. I agree with you completely, I always say that I'm not a British country artist, I’m a country artist from Great Britain. I think it's going to be a weekend in terms of performing and personally but it will also be a big weekend for us all.”
With you as well, you have really grafted and worked hard for it, you know, you have played those shitty little gigs to like ten people.
“Many of them!”
There are all of these new people coming in that develop and grow through socials like TikTok and things but for you who has being doing it on the grass roots level for a long time, when you are up on the spotlight stage, you will be able to look back and remember what got you there.
“Sometimes you get so hell bent on the destination and getting to wherever you want to get and it's always what's next? My manager Donna is amazing and always forward thinking, we have these strategy meetings where we're thinking about summer 2026 already, but going back to how we started the conversation, for me that 10 minutes is 25 years’ worth of hard work because I did my first gig when I was 13 years old. I'm 37 now so for that 13 year old that dreamt that she would one day be singing in arena and I'm not there opening up for someone, I'm not there because someone pulled a favour or I had a little moment on TikTok. I've worked my arse off for that 10 minutes so I'm going to do everything I can to enjoy it, not pass out with nerves and I hope that everyone else enjoys it you know and then I'll see you after in the bar for a whiskey over ice.”
Kezia Gill will be appearing at C2C: Country to Country in London on Saturday 15th March on the CMA Spotlight stage in addition to the BBC Radio 2 stage plus she will also be heading to Glasgow on Friday 14th March. Full festival details and ticket information are available on the WEBSITE and socials (INSTAGRAM / X / FACEBOOK).
Kezia has a busy year ahead of her so you can find all of her upcoming tour dates on her WEBSITE and keep up with her socially on FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM X & TIKTOK.
“You are absolutely right, I feel like the talent pool is growing here and I'm hearing new names all the time, you see new people coming up on Facebook and through things like TikTok. As much as us as older lot can moan about it, it is a great tool and I don't think it's going to be long at all. I agree with you completely, I always say that I'm not a British country artist, I’m a country artist from Great Britain. I think it's going to be a weekend in terms of performing and personally but it will also be a big weekend for us all.”
With you as well, you have really grafted and worked hard for it, you know, you have played those shitty little gigs to like ten people.
“Many of them!”
There are all of these new people coming in that develop and grow through socials like TikTok and things but for you who has being doing it on the grass roots level for a long time, when you are up on the spotlight stage, you will be able to look back and remember what got you there.
“Sometimes you get so hell bent on the destination and getting to wherever you want to get and it's always what's next? My manager Donna is amazing and always forward thinking, we have these strategy meetings where we're thinking about summer 2026 already, but going back to how we started the conversation, for me that 10 minutes is 25 years’ worth of hard work because I did my first gig when I was 13 years old. I'm 37 now so for that 13 year old that dreamt that she would one day be singing in arena and I'm not there opening up for someone, I'm not there because someone pulled a favour or I had a little moment on TikTok. I've worked my arse off for that 10 minutes so I'm going to do everything I can to enjoy it, not pass out with nerves and I hope that everyone else enjoys it you know and then I'll see you after in the bar for a whiskey over ice.”
Kezia Gill will be appearing at C2C: Country to Country in London on Saturday 15th March on the CMA Spotlight stage in addition to the BBC Radio 2 stage plus she will also be heading to Glasgow on Friday 14th March. Full festival details and ticket information are available on the WEBSITE and socials (INSTAGRAM / X / FACEBOOK).
Kezia has a busy year ahead of her so you can find all of her upcoming tour dates on her WEBSITE and keep up with her socially on FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM X & TIKTOK.
