Nashville,TN -For the eighteenth year in a row Nashville, Tennessee hosted AmericanaFest which included over 225 bands at 40 of Nashville’s most unique venues.

The only way to describe AmericanaFest is a marathon scavenger hunt of new and established bands. Each day throughout the festival and across the city bands are playing from sun up to sun down. What makes the festival interesting is that the bands only get forty-five minutes to play a set. Which means around every hour a new band is taking the stage. Which leaves the attendees bouncing from place to place to see the next awesome band i.e. a scavenger hunt.

The venues range from rooftop bars, churches, concert halls, record labels, local’s bars, and production studios. Some venues have better lighting, some have better sound, but it’s truly the uniqueness of the venue that adds to the amazing performances. It seems as if each band is perfectly curated to the personality of the venue. It’s this attention to detail that really makes the experience unforgettable.

The artist’s that play come from around the world and range from new to established. This year featured bands such as The Lumineers, Jamtown, The Dead South, The Accidentals, and Colin Hay just to name a few. The festival brings an eclectic group of music ranging from folk, country, blues, and soul. Many of these styles influenced early rock music whose traces can be heard throughout. One of the greatest things about the festival is the chance to discover new bands and also hearing your favorite band in an intimate setting.

AmericanaFest sets itself apart from other festivals in two ways. One, it gives you a different experience at each new venue. The attendees, the locals, and the ambiance vary widely. This creates a unique experience for every show. Number two, it takes place mainly in the heart of Nashville. It’s a hustle and bustle city with southern charm. The streets are alive and the people are friendly.

In this photographers opinion, AmericanaFest ranks within my top 3 all-time best festivals. It’s great for those who want to experience the Nashville music scene or just the city. Those who love discovering new music will be right at home. Maybe you just like to party and have a good time… Well AmericanaFest incorporates that too. What if you are a business professional in the music industry? A new band? Or maybe you’re trying to break into the music industry and want to make the right connections? The festival also hosts a separate conference that caters to all of the aforementioned. It’s an all-encompassing festival that truly is an awesome time.

To learn more about AmericanaFest please visit http://americanamusic.org/about-americanafest