C2C: Country to Country is a country music festival that has been held in Europe every year since 2013. It was first held in London on 16–17 March 2013. The festival was the first multi-day country music event in the United Kingdom, since the demise of the popular International Festival of Country Music, which was held at Wembley Arena and hosted by Mervyn Conn. The event was jointly developed by the O2 Arena and SJM Concerts, collaborating with the Country Music Association. In 2019 it had a capacity of 25,000.
In 2013, it was announced that the festival would come to the 3Arena in Dublin on 14–15 March 2014.
The festival expanded even more into Europe, adding additional dates in Sweden and Norway in 2015, and the Netherlands, Germany and Australia in 2019.
As of the 2015 festival, pop-up radio station BBC Radio 2 Country was set up and runs over 4 days, including a live broadcast of the main stage performances.
Since 2016, the festival has run over three nights.
In 2018, Milly Olykan received the Jo Walker-Meador International Award from the Country Music Association for her role in helping AEG concerts develop C2C. The award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music's marketing development in territories outside the United States.
Venues
Venue City/Country Years O2 Arena London, England2013–present3Arena Dublin, Ireland2014–2023OVO HydroGlasgow, Scotland2018–presentSEC Armadillo2016–2017SpektrumOslo, Norway2015–2016The GlobeStockholm, Sweden2015Hovet2016AFAS LiveAmsterdam, Netherlands2019–2020Verti Music HallBerlin, Germany2019–2020, 2024–presentSydney SuperDomeSydney, Australia2019Brisbane Entertainment CentreBrisbane, AustraliaRotterdam AhoyRotterdam, Netherlands2024–presentSSE ArenaBelfast, Northern Ireland2024–2026AO ArenaManchester, England2027
Festival facts From the inaugural event to the 2026 edition, the festival has been hosted in London by BBC Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris. He was joined by co-host Breland in 2023, Alana Springsteen in 2024, Mickey Guyton in 2025, and Jackson Dean in 2026. Carrie Underwood was the first act to headline the festival twice (2013 & 2016). Little Big Town are the first act to play the festival three times. After appearing at the inaugural 2013 event, they returned in 2016 and headlined in 2018. They were followed by Darius Rucker and Kip Moore, who both appeared for the third time in 2022. Lady A and Zac Brown Band marked their third appearances in 2023, with Brad Paisley headlining for the third time in 2024. Ashley McBryde and Midland both performed for the third time in 2027. Other acts that have played the main stage over multiple years are Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Chris Young, Kristian Bush, Jennifer Nettles, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Cam, Hunter Hayes, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearce, Priscilla Block, Brian Kelley, Brothers Osborne, Old Dominion, Dierks Bentley, Tyler Hubbard, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, Tyler Braden, Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson, and Drake Milligan. Jennifer Nettles was the first artist to play the main stage in consecutive years, appearing as a solo performer in 2017 and as part of Sugarland in 2018. Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Drake White, McBryde, Old Dominion, Breland, Matt Stell, Lindsay Ell, Milligan, Avery Anna, Bayker Blankenship, Kashus Culpepper, and Emily Ann Roberts have been upgraded from their initial appearances on the spotlight stage to the main stage in subsequent years. In 2019, Catherine McGrath became the first UK country artist to perform on the main stage when she joined Hunter Hayes in London for their duet of "Don't Let Me Forget". Ty Myers is the youngest artist to perform on the main stage. He was eighteen years old when he played in 2026. The festival has hosted four members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, and Brooks & Dunn (as well as future member Marty Stuart), and twenty members of the Grand Ole Opry: Lauren Alaina, Luke Combs, Bentley, Gill, Harris, Jelly Roll, Lady A, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, McCreery, McEntire, Old Crow Medicine Show, Paisley, Carly Pearce, Rascal Flatts, Dustin Lynch, Rucker, Stuart, Underwood, Urban, and Wilson.
C2C: Country to Country 2013 The first C2C: Country to Country festival was announced in late November 2012, and was held on 16–17 March 2013 at the O2 Arena in London. Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood headlined the first and second nights respectively. 16 March17 March Tim McGraw Vince Gill Little Big Town Kristian Bush Carrie Underwood Darius Rucker LeAnn Rimes Brantley Gilbert Headline acts in bold
London pop-up stages
Ags Connolly Alan West Dean Owens James Riley Jill Johnson Raevennan Husbandes Raintown Robert Vincent The Good Intentions The Robbie Boyd Band
C2C: Country to Country 2014 The second C2C: Country to Country festival was held on 15–16 March 2014 at the O2 Arena in London, and on 14–15 March 2014 at The 3Arena in Dublin; aside from Martina McBride, who only played the London show. The Zac Brown Band and Brad Paisley headlined the two nights. Dublin – 14 MarchLondon – 15 MarchDublin – 15 MarchLondon – 16 March Zac Brown Band Dixie Chicks Dierks Bentley Martina McBride (London only) Brad Paisley Rascal Flatts Chris Young The Band Perry Headline acts in bold
London pop-up stages
Alan West Amelia Curran Ann Doka Carolynne Poole Dexeter Dirty Beggars Emma Jade Frankie Davies Gary Quinn Hannah Jane Lewis Hometown Show Jessica Clemmons Jill & Kate Lisa Marie Fischer Lisa Redford Luke & Mel Maria Byrne Tim McKay Raintown Star Lane Stephen Kellogg Stevie Agnew Striking Matches The Diablos The Shires The Sonny Walters Band Thorne Hill Tom Wright Ward Thomas
C2C: Country to Country 2015 The third C2C: Country to Country festival was held on 7–8 March 2015 at the O2 Arena in London and The 3Arena in Dublin. Extra dates were held in Stockholm and Oslo from 28 February to 1 March 2015 with very similar line-ups. Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum headlined the two nights. Two events under the C2C banner were also held in Glasgow at the SEC Armadillo. Bryan, Florida Georgia Line and Lindsay Ell played the venue on 3 March, while Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore and Brandy Clark performed on 5 March.
The CMA Songwriters Series took place on 6 March and starred Kix Brooks, Brandy Clark, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall and Sam Palladio.
Stockholm – 28 FebruaryOslo – 1 MarchLondon – 7 MarchDublin – 8 MarchOslo – 28 FebruaryStockholm – 1 MarchDublin – 7 MarchLondon – 8 March Luke Bryan Florida Georgia Line Lee Ann Womack Brandy Clark (London & Dublin) Doug Seegers (Stockholm & Oslo) Lady Antebellum Jason Aldean Brantley Gilbert Kip MooreLondon Satellite Stage Sam Hunt Sam Palladio The Shires Ward Thomas Headline acts in bold
London pop-up stages
Acoustic Journey Angel Snow Ann Doka Aubrie Sellers Balsamo Deighton Callaghan Carolynne Poole Case Hardin Chloe Chadwick Claydon Connor David Bradley Dexeter Ellie Dibben Emma Jade Emma Swindells Fitzwallace Flats & Sharps Gary Quinn Goat Roper Rodeo Band Hannah Jane Lewis Holloway Road Hometown Show Honey Ryder InBlauK Jeannine Barry Jess and the Bandits Jess Roberts Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander Katie Armiger Katie Nicholas Kimmie Rhodes Laura Oakes Lewis & Leigh Lisa Redford Liv Austen Loud Mountains Lucy May Megan O'Neill Michele Stodart Miller's Daughter Mim Grey Paul Carella Pauper Kings Raintown Sam Hunt Sasha McVeigh Sonia Leigh Stephanie Manns Steve Young Striking Matches Talia Simone The Cains Trio The Dirty Beggars The James Clode Band The Rising The Shires The Tuesday Syndicate Ward Thomas Winter's Hill Woody Pines Worry Dolls
C2C: Country to Country 2016 The fourth C2C: Country to Country festival was held over three nights from 11 to 13 March 2016. Glasgow joined London and Dublin as the third venue. Carrie Underwood was the first headliner to be announced at all three venues, becoming the festival's first returning headliner following her appearance in 2013. The launch party was held at the Brooklyn Bowl inside the O2 Arena in London on 6 October 2015, the event was followed by a headlining Little Big Town concert. At the launch party it was announced that Miranda Lambert and Eric Church would join Carrie Underwood as the other headliners, although Miranda Lambert's involvement was leaked earlier that day by her own website, which also listed her three support acts on the bill. The full line up for the Yamaha Music Stage in London (formally named the Satellite Stage) was announced on 16 November 2015.
The CMA Songwriters series acted as the beginning of C2C, taking place on 9 March and featuring Shane McAnally, Charlie Worsham, Ashley Monroe, Lori McKenna and Charles Esten as well as a special surprise appearance from Miranda Lambert.
Stockholm – 4 MarchOslo – 6 MarchLondon – 11 MarchDublin – 12 MarchGlasgow – 13 MarchGlasgow – 11 MarchLondon – 12 MarchDublin – 13 MarchDublin – 11 MarchGlasgow – 12 MarchLondon – 13 MarchMain Stage Carrie Underwood Lauren Alaina Jill Johnson Pauper Kings Miranda Lambert Dwight Yoakam Thomas Rhett Ashley Monroe (Dublin & Glasgow) Carrie Underwood Little Big Town Sam Hunt Maddie & Tae (London & Dublin) Eric Church Kacey Musgraves Chris Stapleton Andrew Combs (Glasgow & London)London Yamaha Music Stage Ashley Monroe Charles Esten High Valley Maren Morris Striking Matches Frankie Ballard Headline acts in bold Satellite Stage acts in italics
London pop-up stages
A Thousand Horses Alan West and Steve Black Alice Wallace American Young Ashley Campbell Ashton Lane Balsamo Deighton Barry Dean Benjamin Folke Thomas Brooke Eden Callaghan Carolynne Poole Case Hardin CC Smugglers Charles Esten Charlie Worsham Chisum Cattle Co. Cooper & Davies Crash N Recovery Darline David Nail Dexeter Gary Burr Georgia Middleman Western Tears Emma Stevens Erin Kinsey Frankie Davies Foreign Affairs High Valley Holloway Road Honey Ryder ILONA Jeannine Barry Jess and the Bandits Jessi Alexander Laura Oakes Lauren Alaina Lori McKenna Lucy May Luke and Mel Kimmie Rhodes Knoxville Highway Maren Morris Megan O'Neill Old Dominion ORFILA Outlander Paul Carella Pauper Kings Phil Vassar Rackhouse Pilfer Ray Peters and the Smokey Turtle Band Red Pine Timber Company Red Sky July Robert Vincent Sadie and the Hotheads Sam Coe and the Longshadows Sarah Darling Shane McAnally Sonia Leigh Southern Companion Southern Junction Striking Matches The Rising The Shires Texas Martha and the House of Twang Wire and Wool
C2C: Country to Country 2017 The fifth C2C festival was announced at the conclusion of the previous year's festival. It ran over three nights from 10 to 12 March 2017. Early bird tickets for the o2 Arena in London went on sale at 9.00am on 18 March 2016. The line-up was announced in "waves", with the first wave being announced on 24 October 2016 via a launch event at the Brooklyn Bowl. The 3-day breakdown was released on 1 November, with Reba McEntire and Marty Stuart announced as the final two acts the following day at 4pm. Una Healy appeared on the Spotlight Stage in Dublin on 12 March, opening for Reba.
The remainder of the Yamaha Music Stage acts for London were announced on 24 January 2017.
The CMA Songwriters Series returned to kick off the festival on 9 March and featured Kristian Bush, Maren Morris, Mac McAnally, Drake White and Liz Rose.
London – 10 MarchDublin – 11 MarchGlasgow – 12 MarchGlasgow – 10 MarchLondon – 11 MarchDublin – 12 MarchDublin – 10 MarchGlasgow – 11 MarchLondon – 12 MarchMain Stage Brad Paisley Chris Young Jennifer Nettles Cam (Dublin & Glasgow) Reba McEntire Darius Rucker Hunter Hayes Dan + Shay (London & Dublin) Zac Brown Band Marty Stuart Maren Morris