KCRW’s Country In The City Kicks Off

KCRW is Proud to Announce COUNTRY IN THE CITY

Featuring three of the hottest up and comers in the genre alongside headliners Gregg Allman, Shelby Lynne and Wynonna & The Big Noise

Saturdays
July 19 * July 26 * August 2

This summer, KCRW and the Annenberg Foundation are bringing country to the city, with a series of three, free concerts at Century Park in Century City.

With headliners that need no introduction, each show is defined by its opening act; three unique artists that represent the most compelling talents emerging from country music at the moment.

The Country in the City series, created in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation, seeks to shine a light on new voices in the genre carrying the torch for a true American sound.

The concerts, inspired by the exhibit Country: Portraits of an American Sound, are free with RSVP and all details can be found here.

JULY 19
GREGG ALLMAN
Sturgill Simpson

Sturgill Simpson specializes in traditional outlaw country music. Often compared to Waylon Jennings for his conversational singing style and genuine approach, and counting his son Shooter among his fans, Sturgill is a rising star and critic’s favorite.

The Washington Post says he’s released the best album of 2014 (“Metamodern Sounds in Country Music”) so far and he’s on Rolling Stone’s list of 25 Must-See Acts in 2014. He will be making his network television debut on The Late Show With David Letterman just days before joins Gregg Allman to kick off the Country in the City series on July 19.

JULY 26
SHELBY LYNNE
Jamestown Revival

LA’s Jamestown Revival made their U.S. radio debut on KCRW this year and have been a consistent favorite on our airwaves ever since. On their debut full length, Texas natives Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance caught our ear with impeccable harmonies. They merge the sounds of the South with classic American, and Western rock, and draw inspiration from artists like Neil Young. With a couple major festivals under their belt (Bonnaroo, Hangout Fest), the band will return to LA triumphant after a national headlining tour.

AUGUST 2
WYNONNA & THE BIG NOISE
Nikki Lane

Nashville’s Nikki Lane has a fiery spirit, and an unmistakeable sense of style. She’s feisty and unafraid to assert herself in music or life, fitting in well with the strong women in the country canon who have come before her, from rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson to Loretta Lynn.

Earlier this year, we named Nikki as an artist to watch, before we knew that she was recording her sophomore album with Black Key’s Dan Auerbach on board as producer. It’s a rousing collection of song, presented with a fearless attitude and Southern swagger.

The concerts will take place at Century Park, adjacent to the Annenberg Space for Photography. The Photography Space will stay open late on these evenings (until 10pm) so that the public may enjoy both the concerts and the exhibit, which features images of the pioneers, poets and icons of country music.

There will also be food and refreshments available for purchase from a wide variety of cafes and food trucks that can be enjoyed on the grassy lawn beneath the two shimmering Century Plaza Towers designed by Minoru Yamasaki. There will also be a beer garden for those 21 and over to enjoy.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Annenberg Foundation has planned community events throughout 2014, including Country in the City.

KCRW and the Annenberg Foundation first united in 2012 for a string of hugely successful summer music events staged in Century Park to accompany the Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History 1955 – Present exhibit.