The C2C Sit Down with Rhiannon Paige
Hailing from Bristol, Rhiannon Paige is a country-pop-rock powerhouse making serious waves in the UK country scene. Blending heartfelt storytelling with arena-ready hooks, she’s quickly carving out a reputation as one of the genre’s most exciting rising voices on this side of the Atlantic. With widespread UK airplay, a pair of BCMA nominations last year, an ever-growing following on TikTok and playing a string of high profile shows with the likes of: Kezia Gill, Sam Ryder, Jools Holland, Ella Henderson and First Time Flyers, Rhiannon is set to make her debut at this year’s C2C: Country to Country festival at The O2 in London and we recently caught up with her to talk all about it.
Appreciate you taking the time to hang out this afternoon, I’ll bet you’re looking forward to C2C, have you been there before as a fan or anything?
“No, never.”
Oh, so you've got no idea what to expect whatsoever.
“It's one of these things where it is quite an expensive trip to do, so I've always said that the day that I go to C2C is the day that I'll play it. I always say that with so many things, like I’ve never been to Glastonbury and I say that the day I go is the day I’m going to play it where I just tell myself that it’s going to happen. I honestly didn't even think it was going to happen this year with C2C, it was super last minute and I was with my manager at the time, then I just saw her face and I was like is this what I think it is? I was mid-gigging and couldn’t stop smiling.”
So that's quite fun going in with a complete blank canvas and not really knowing fully what to expect, but obviously you've heard a lot about it and it's obviously something that all the British artists really, really want to get involved in. What excites you most about playing it? What makes it so exciting for you to get that opportunity?
“I think for me, it's just being in the environment and around people that have such a love for country music, you really feel that. Even in 2025, I did my first ever country festival last year and the difference that you feel from doing any other festivals to a country one, you can really sense that environment and I think with C2C, that I'm really gonna feel that, then being around all the artists and all the people that just have the love for it, I think that's what I'm most excited for. Also, meeting new people and seeing people that I've seen so many times online or people that I know really well all in one space, it’s like a little family.”
Are you just playing one day or are you around for a couple of days?
“I'm there on the Friday but not technically playing C2C. I'm playing in a bar that's outside, just like a covers gig the day before, so I am gonna go check things out on the Friday as well, which is nice.”
So, Saturday is your day that you're playing. Do you know how many sets you've got or which stages you're on yet?
“I've got two sets, I'm doing the Roundup Stage and also the Barrelhouse Stage outside.”
So that's really cool, that you’re getting a couple of chances to play. Is it just going to be you or have you got a band with you?
“I'm actually for the first time going as a trio for the Barrelhouse, because unfortunately my two other band members aren’t available and then for the we can't have drums, so we're just doing it as a duo. It will kind of be acoustic, but with a bit more oomph to it.”
Oh, nice. In terms of getting into country music, what was your sort of gateway drug that really attracted you to the genre, firstly as a fan then also in realising that it was the right fit for what you wanted to do musically and sound wise.
“I think for me, I just really like the way that the melodies flow in the way that it is very truthful, very honest. I've been very influenced by my dad's style of music and also I was a massive fan of The Civil Wars, who are a little bit more folky, I guess but that just led me on. I think it's just the way that it stands and the way it makes you feel, it's just so different to more mainstream stuff and I like the freedom of country music. There's a lot you can do with it and there's no limitations.”
You had some nominations at the BCMAs last year, you've had some really cool support slots, had BBC Introducing support and the TikTok numbers are really healthy so you’ve getting a foot in the door at a time when the genre is really starting to boom. How cool does it feel to be part of a genre that's very welcoming over here at a time when the ceiling continues to rise?
“It feels really nice because I think for a long time, you don't think it's possible to be known in that genre, and then now it's massively grown. It's like your silly little dreams don't feel too far away now, because there is such a need and a want for it from the public and it's nice to know that. I mean, there are still some definite aspects where people are like you can't be country if you're from the UK, but it's so much more accepted now and it's nice to see that it's going in the right direction where I think that I speak for all artists in the genre but it's really nice to see.”
What do you think is the step that's really needed to kick it to the next rung of the ladder and see British acts getting opportunities in the mainstream over here and being able to take it internationally on a scale like the Canadians and Australians are starting to do more?
“Things like this, it all comes down to the fans and it's having the people believe in us because obviously, we can believe in ourselves but we need the support to be back behind us and I think it's letting people see that we can do it. People like Kezia, she’s doing amazing on her tour and I think people are really starting to recognise that she can do it. That’s just allowing everyone else to join an alongside her and have that push together. It's people believing that we can make it and in America, they're not too far behind, they are starting to see that there is a country scene in the UK, whether they believe it at first or not. It’s just for people to really back us because you don't have to be American to be a great country artist and there are so many amazing American artists, but also some of the biggest people for me are people like The Shires and Ward Thomas. I've seen them so many times and I will continue to do that, because I just love what they do and I think it's really special where I want them to keep having that success and pushing it further.”
Appreciate you taking the time to hang out this afternoon, I’ll bet you’re looking forward to C2C, have you been there before as a fan or anything?
“No, never.”
Oh, so you've got no idea what to expect whatsoever.
“It's one of these things where it is quite an expensive trip to do, so I've always said that the day that I go to C2C is the day that I'll play it. I always say that with so many things, like I’ve never been to Glastonbury and I say that the day I go is the day I’m going to play it where I just tell myself that it’s going to happen. I honestly didn't even think it was going to happen this year with C2C, it was super last minute and I was with my manager at the time, then I just saw her face and I was like is this what I think it is? I was mid-gigging and couldn’t stop smiling.”
So that's quite fun going in with a complete blank canvas and not really knowing fully what to expect, but obviously you've heard a lot about it and it's obviously something that all the British artists really, really want to get involved in. What excites you most about playing it? What makes it so exciting for you to get that opportunity?
“I think for me, it's just being in the environment and around people that have such a love for country music, you really feel that. Even in 2025, I did my first ever country festival last year and the difference that you feel from doing any other festivals to a country one, you can really sense that environment and I think with C2C, that I'm really gonna feel that, then being around all the artists and all the people that just have the love for it, I think that's what I'm most excited for. Also, meeting new people and seeing people that I've seen so many times online or people that I know really well all in one space, it’s like a little family.”
Are you just playing one day or are you around for a couple of days?
“I'm there on the Friday but not technically playing C2C. I'm playing in a bar that's outside, just like a covers gig the day before, so I am gonna go check things out on the Friday as well, which is nice.”
So, Saturday is your day that you're playing. Do you know how many sets you've got or which stages you're on yet?
“I've got two sets, I'm doing the Roundup Stage and also the Barrelhouse Stage outside.”
So that's really cool, that you’re getting a couple of chances to play. Is it just going to be you or have you got a band with you?
“I'm actually for the first time going as a trio for the Barrelhouse, because unfortunately my two other band members aren’t available and then for the we can't have drums, so we're just doing it as a duo. It will kind of be acoustic, but with a bit more oomph to it.”
Oh, nice. In terms of getting into country music, what was your sort of gateway drug that really attracted you to the genre, firstly as a fan then also in realising that it was the right fit for what you wanted to do musically and sound wise.
“I think for me, I just really like the way that the melodies flow in the way that it is very truthful, very honest. I've been very influenced by my dad's style of music and also I was a massive fan of The Civil Wars, who are a little bit more folky, I guess but that just led me on. I think it's just the way that it stands and the way it makes you feel, it's just so different to more mainstream stuff and I like the freedom of country music. There's a lot you can do with it and there's no limitations.”
You had some nominations at the BCMAs last year, you've had some really cool support slots, had BBC Introducing support and the TikTok numbers are really healthy so you’ve getting a foot in the door at a time when the genre is really starting to boom. How cool does it feel to be part of a genre that's very welcoming over here at a time when the ceiling continues to rise?
“It feels really nice because I think for a long time, you don't think it's possible to be known in that genre, and then now it's massively grown. It's like your silly little dreams don't feel too far away now, because there is such a need and a want for it from the public and it's nice to know that. I mean, there are still some definite aspects where people are like you can't be country if you're from the UK, but it's so much more accepted now and it's nice to see that it's going in the right direction where I think that I speak for all artists in the genre but it's really nice to see.”
What do you think is the step that's really needed to kick it to the next rung of the ladder and see British acts getting opportunities in the mainstream over here and being able to take it internationally on a scale like the Canadians and Australians are starting to do more?
“Things like this, it all comes down to the fans and it's having the people believe in us because obviously, we can believe in ourselves but we need the support to be back behind us and I think it's letting people see that we can do it. People like Kezia, she’s doing amazing on her tour and I think people are really starting to recognise that she can do it. That’s just allowing everyone else to join an alongside her and have that push together. It's people believing that we can make it and in America, they're not too far behind, they are starting to see that there is a country scene in the UK, whether they believe it at first or not. It’s just for people to really back us because you don't have to be American to be a great country artist and there are so many amazing American artists, but also some of the biggest people for me are people like The Shires and Ward Thomas. I've seen them so many times and I will continue to do that, because I just love what they do and I think it's really special where I want them to keep having that success and pushing it further.”
For you, in terms of where you are with music, you’ve been on a couple of collabs quite recently, but what's the plan with new music? Are you currently working on new music? Have you got things that you've written or recorded that are on the way soon as either some more singles or maybe even a project later this year?
“I am working on new music and I will have some new music coming out very soon. The plan is for an album in 2027, I've spoken about it and it's gonna start getting in the works very, very soon. It’s something that I've put off for the longest time, where everyone's like are you going to release an album? But I didn’t see the point, because I want it to get appreciated and appreciate it right as when you put so much into something, you want it to be heard, whereas now, I can feel that I am getting people that are genuinely interested in my journey so I think now would be a good time to do it. I don't know if you’ve seen on my socials, but I'm trying to go down a little bit more of a country rock route, just because I've got quite a powerful voice and I sometimes feel like I don't actually lend it to my songwriting and the way that I choose to sing. So hopefully, the album is gonna give country rock queen!
Beyond that, how's the rest of this year looking? I see you've got quite a few dates listed on your website but are you hoping for other festivals and plenty more dates?
“It’s really exciting, I've got like loads of exciting festivals and I'm really pleased with like how 2026 is looking, I'm doing a touring festival with Summer in Nashville and I've got some plans for a potential collab tour at the end of the year with some folks, but that will come out at some point. So yeah, lots of exciting things in the pipeline. I feel like it's not gonna kickstart until March and then I'm on the roll and back into the summer, back into the swing of things.”
Then lastly, whilst you are playing at C2C but are there any other artists on the bill that you are hoping to catch sets from over the weekend?
“I really want to watch Emily Ann Roberts. Now, I don't know if I'll be able to as she is playing on the Friday but I'm gonna try my best to see her. To be honest, I really want to see all the acts on the smaller stages, because I’m in that same position and I'm just rooting for them all, so anyone else I get to see is just an absolute bonus because I know that the weekend's gonna be absolute chaos with a million things going on. We're just gonna go on the Friday, suss it all out and see who we can get a chance to see.”
I'm really excited for Emily Ann too, I spoke to her about a week ago and she's just the most adorable thing you'll speak to in your entire life. I hope you have the absolute best time over the weekend and have a lot of fun. Thank you very much for the chat, have a good weekend and good luck with getting things ready for your move as well.
Rhiannon Paige will be performing at this year’s C2C Festival at The O2 in London and you can find details of all the other shows that she has coming up on her WEBSITE or you keep up to date with all that Rhiannon is up to by checking out her socials on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK or FACEBOOK.
C2C: Country to Country will take place in London, Belfast and Glasgow over the weekend of the 13th to 15th of March which you can more details and ticket information on their WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK)
“I am working on new music and I will have some new music coming out very soon. The plan is for an album in 2027, I've spoken about it and it's gonna start getting in the works very, very soon. It’s something that I've put off for the longest time, where everyone's like are you going to release an album? But I didn’t see the point, because I want it to get appreciated and appreciate it right as when you put so much into something, you want it to be heard, whereas now, I can feel that I am getting people that are genuinely interested in my journey so I think now would be a good time to do it. I don't know if you’ve seen on my socials, but I'm trying to go down a little bit more of a country rock route, just because I've got quite a powerful voice and I sometimes feel like I don't actually lend it to my songwriting and the way that I choose to sing. So hopefully, the album is gonna give country rock queen!
Beyond that, how's the rest of this year looking? I see you've got quite a few dates listed on your website but are you hoping for other festivals and plenty more dates?
“It’s really exciting, I've got like loads of exciting festivals and I'm really pleased with like how 2026 is looking, I'm doing a touring festival with Summer in Nashville and I've got some plans for a potential collab tour at the end of the year with some folks, but that will come out at some point. So yeah, lots of exciting things in the pipeline. I feel like it's not gonna kickstart until March and then I'm on the roll and back into the summer, back into the swing of things.”
Then lastly, whilst you are playing at C2C but are there any other artists on the bill that you are hoping to catch sets from over the weekend?
“I really want to watch Emily Ann Roberts. Now, I don't know if I'll be able to as she is playing on the Friday but I'm gonna try my best to see her. To be honest, I really want to see all the acts on the smaller stages, because I’m in that same position and I'm just rooting for them all, so anyone else I get to see is just an absolute bonus because I know that the weekend's gonna be absolute chaos with a million things going on. We're just gonna go on the Friday, suss it all out and see who we can get a chance to see.”
I'm really excited for Emily Ann too, I spoke to her about a week ago and she's just the most adorable thing you'll speak to in your entire life. I hope you have the absolute best time over the weekend and have a lot of fun. Thank you very much for the chat, have a good weekend and good luck with getting things ready for your move as well.
Rhiannon Paige will be performing at this year’s C2C Festival at The O2 in London and you can find details of all the other shows that she has coming up on her WEBSITE or you keep up to date with all that Rhiannon is up to by checking out her socials on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK or FACEBOOK.
C2C: Country to Country will take place in London, Belfast and Glasgow over the weekend of the 13th to 15th of March which you can more details and ticket information on their WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK)
