COUNTRY TO COUNTRY SONGWRITERS REVIEW, O2 ARENA LONDON, 13TH MARCH 2025

Darius Rucker hosting Songwriters, C2C Festival, 13th March 2025, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

C2C festival in the UK started with a bang with the best night of the festival in my opinion, Songwriters. Hosted by the legend that is Darius Rucker, Songwriters night featured Wyatt Flores, Mickey Guyton, Tucker Wetmore and Jessi Alexander joining us for the night to tell us stories on a more personal level.

For me, being a country music fan is about connecting with the songlyrics. I find I can connect with a lot of country music songs on a personal level, and that is what I loved about songwriters night - getting the chance to hear the songwriters tell the meanings behind thier songs before singing them for us. One of the songwriters that took me by surprise was Mickey Guyton. As a perfomer, her voice is phenomenal and her lyrics beautifully meaningful. Another favourite performance on the night was 'Alright' by Darius as this is one of my faves and getting to hear it acoustically and in the songwriters session was so cool!

Wyatt Flores, C2C Festival, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

I could tell Wyatt Flores was nervous but when it comes to performing and telling stories he has to be one of the best. He is also very funny and one particular story had everyone in hysterics. I love the versatility of his lyrics and getting to sing along to them at songwriters on the second to front row was a pretty great experience. I loved getting to see Tucker perform at songwriters as he is a more upcoming artist and getting to hear him talk about his experiences so far in country music was great. I also loved getting to see two of my favourite songs of his 'wine into whiskey' and 'wind up missin you' performed with Darius, Jessi, Mickey and Wyatt all there too. A very cool experience!

However, as great as all the songwriters were on the night, my favourite to see has to have been Jessi Alexander. She has written many hits for massive artists, such as 'the way I talk' for the legend that is Morgan Wallen! (this is my favourite Morgan song so getting to hear Jessi sing it and sing along was a dream!) Not performed on the night, but another country music staple written by Jessi is 'I drive your truck' by Lee Brice. A masterpiece of country music and one of the many songs that showcase Jessi's talent for songwriting. Jessi's last song performed was another major hit, 'the climb.' This was again, great to see performed by Jessi herself being the talent behind the song and had everyone singing along.

Songwriters night was definitley my favourite night of the festival, and I got to experience it with my best friend, my mum and my Mary. The four of us have all had heavy years and getting to see some of our favourite country songs together was everything. For me, this is what country music is all about - brigning people togehter, and I have made some amazing friends. The night ended with 'Wagon Wheel' performed by Darius and had everyone stood up singing along and just having the best time - in our country bubble ignorning the daily strsses of life and just enjoying the thing that ties us all together in our happy place.

I can't wait for next year's session, and I look foward to the next group of songwriters over here.

Mickey Guyton, C2C Festival, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

Tucker Wetmore, C2C Festival, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

Jessi Alexander, C2C Festival, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy