Tennessee Vibes 7 to Watch in 2026
These seven artists have entertained me in 2025 and all of them have new music for you in 2026... and this is the last article of the year!
These are the seven independent artists I wrote the most about in 2026. I listen daily to all of them, and they also happen to be the ones who resonated most with my words this year too. Although I had no strategy when I started in February, I quickly realised it would be more than a full-time job to chronicle the enormous number of talented performers in Nashville alone, never mind taking in other voices from around the USA. So I gradually evolved a policy of trying to keep my own quality levels high, and the way I did that was to focus mainly on these seven artists.
Ali Angel
Stone Cold was the first Ali Angel song I heard, and I played it so much during February and March that it became one of my top five most-played songs of the year. Her new album is out on January 16 and I will review all the tracks in due course.
Chloe Kimes
Lola Kirke introduced me to Chloe Kimes during their tour together in the US back in the summer. Chloe’s 2025 songs are thrilling and hilarious, catchy and infectious. If you prefer something a little more reflective then her 2022 debut is for you, a more traditional country sound.
Cyrena Wages
Cyrena has become a regular on my CD player this year. Her infectious laughter echoes through the corridors here at Tennessee Vibes HQ as we keep finding new things to talk about on our podcast. This might be the last written piece of the year, but there is one more podcast episode coming on 20 December so make sure you follow and subscribe wherever you listen. That one features special guest and fellow Substackian Ellie Norris.
Cyrena is busy on her second record, Miss Melancholia, and the tracks I have heard indicate it will be every bit as good as 2024’s Vanity Project. I wanted to re-share my first ever profile of Cyrena, before I got to know her, and before my 2025 took a thrilling 180, in part due to her encouragement.
Cyrena has a single out on January 9 and you can pre-save it here.
Lilly Winwood
It was Lilly Winwood’s music that inspired me to write my first musician profile for about 8 years back in February, and I loved watching her release some old-time covers this year. Lilly has been busy playing and touring solo and with father Steve, but her recorded music highlight of 2025 was an EP, The Waiting Room. I forecast an enormous 2026 for her as she plans the release of a new album of original songs.
Miller Campbell
Watching an artist live is seeing them in their true environment, and has more impact than even the most expensive record player. Miller’s appearance at Bush Hall, London felt like a special treat because she had told me of the show herself. I was the only one in the audience who had bought a Lera Lynn ticket just to see Miller’s support set.
Miller is so busy, claiming to perform up to 160 times a year, which I find staggering. She’s on the up and I hope I played a small part in bringing her music to a UK and European audience in 2026. She’s even nicer in person than you would expect from her interviews!
Pearl Charles
Pearl Charles was my first solo gig of 2025, the one where I realised it can be just as much fun sometimes to turn up on your own. Pearl was so engaging and easy to chat to on the merch stand. I have seen Pearl twice now and have recently obtained a third ticket for 1st May 2026.
Zoee
Zoee easily has the fewest letters of any artist I wrote about this year, even with her trademark double E. I loved her debut album in the summer and she was such a pleasure to work with on several song reviews. For a few weeks before and during the album release she was always one DM away and the very first artist to agree to a Q&A with me. She’s really blowing up in Nashville and we’re all hoping she can tour in the UK and Europe soon!
Encore
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the first year of Tennessee Vibes. Most of my more successful projects have happened by complete accident. British Gangs is not a topic I knew anything about and I was shocked to be asked to write a hardback book about them. That relationship with Pen & Sword opened the door for next year’s two-volume history of Fleetwood Mac.
When I wrote the very first Lilly Winwood profile in February I had no plans to write any more. But it was the second profile, of Cyrena Wages, that really opened up a door into the Tennessee music scene. Fast forward to the autumn and I found myself not only meeting Pearl Charles, Chloe Kimes and Miller Campbell in person, but all of them recognised me! Such a surprising and rewarding end to a really fun year.
Thanks for coming on the journey, and do recommend Tennessee Vibes to your friends. I have no plans to paywall any content, although I do promise that all new content is free for at least 6 months.
See you in 2026!
