COUNTRY TO COUNTRY REVIEW SUNDAY 16TH MARCH, O2 ARENA, LONDON, UK

Nate Smith, o2 arena, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

Sunday was my favourite day outside of the main arena as there were some really great acts on in the Indigo that I got to go and see. But I enjoyed having a more relaxing morning and afternoon at the festival where I went to go and explore some of the stalls and head over to the signed CD and viynl shop in the Wayside. I really enjoyed going into the market town and looking round all the authentic country stalls. I didn't buy anything in there this year apart from some really nice cheesy chips. There was everything from hats, to clothes, to yetis and food stalls. I took myself off to the Wayside shop where I managed to find two signed CDs from Charles Esten! There were so many from loads of artists but I had to get the Chip ones, and they are going to be framed on my music wall! This was fun though, and it was really cool to have a look through them all and see what ones there were.

I spent most of my afternoon in the Indigo on Sunday where I discovered some awesome artists. My favourite was Drew Baldridge as his songs were meaningful and he had great interaction with the audience and really encouraged kindness in hard times. My favourite performance of his was 'Tough People' - a heart-felt, powerful track that explores the different hardships of people in life. It was interesting getting to hear Drew talk about his ideas for the song too, and how he and his friend sat down and decided to write about experiences that shape people into who they are. The meaning behind his songs are powerful and humbling, which is what country music is all about and the lyrics do so well. Another few favourites I discovered were 'She's Somebody's Daughter' and 'Can She Have This Dance.' Along with Drew, it was great to watch Kassi Ashton as she had a really energetic and boss girl energy. The way she interacted with the audience was lovely too, encouraging everyone to love themselves and not compare themselves to others. It was also great to see Bob Harris come out on stage and talk for a short time too about the artists and what was happening around the festival.

Drew Baldridge, Indigo, o2 arena, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

As I was away from everyone for most of the day it was nice to meet up for drinks and food before the main arena getting to spend time together and chatting about the acts we'd seen. This did mean that we ended up missing The Castellows which I was sad about as I would have loved to see them, and Avery Anna! However, I did get to see her at the afterparty and she was great. Her lyrics are powerful and one song in particular that stood out to me was 'Narcissist' as it is relatable and the lyrics are powerful. Hopefully Avery and The Castellows return soon as it would be great to see them at thier own shows.

In all honesty, Sunday was my least favourite arena day as I just found the line-up too slow for a festival like c2c. The acts consisted of: The Castellows, Avery Anna, Shaboozey, Nate Smith and Cody Johnson. I was taken by surprise at Shaboozey as I thought he was pretty good as I didn't know what to expect from him to be totally honest. I only knew 'A Bar Song' before the festival as it was in the charts all summer, but I thought he was really good and great with the crowd and seemed to be really well recieved. I thought he also seems like a really nice, genuine guy and it would be nice to see him back in the UK at some point maybe with his own solo gig. Nate Smith wasn't an act I was too exited to see over the weekend as I didn't know much of his music. In all honesty I found the first half of his set really slow and not very upbeat for a before the headliner act. However the second half I found a lot more enjoyable and I enjoyed hearing 'World on Fire' and 'Whiskey on You' being two of his most popular and catchy songs.

Shaboozey, o2 arena, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

Cody Johnson was wonderful as the Sunday headliner. I didn't really know what to make of him being a headliner as most of his songs are incredible but slow. He was great and I find it hard to describe CoJo apart from simply just calling him lovely because his lyrics just are! I love how exited he was to be playing in the UK as it was hist first time here, and the audience definitley made him feel welcome by singing all the words to his songs. Some of my favourite songs performed were 'The Painter', 'Dirt Cheap', 'People in the Back', Diamon in my Pocket' and of course 'Til You Can't.' Hearing this song live was very wholesome as I got to hug three people I love for the whole time and really just look around and appreciate life and the people I am lucky enough to share it with. Cody's headlining performance brought many emotions for me such as happiness, sadness, optimism and joy. I left the arena that night with a very full heart as I got to spend time with my loved ones listening to the music I love the most.

Cody Johnson, o2 arena, London, UK. Photo credit: Orla Duffy

The weekend was busy but so much fun. It's definitley the music that makes it but also the people I get to share it with creating priceless memories. I woke up on Monday with a very full heart from the music I got to listen to all weekend and the people I got to share it with. Can't wait to do it all again next year!