Four emerging artists selected from nearly 150 submissions: The Goudies in Cardiff, Luke Hart in London, Katie Rigby in Manchester, and Abigail Pryde in Glasgow
Follows the release of introspective, self-produced new album ‘The Acrobat’
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tenille Townes has officially revealed the opening acts for her long-awaited return to the UK next month with The Living Room Tour. In a special effort to champion local talent, each night’s support artist was hand-selected by Townes herself from a pool of emerging singer-songwriters who entered an exclusive competition hosted by Headliner Magazine. This initiative directly reinforces the grassroots, storyteller spirit of the upcoming acoustic tour, which will visit Cardiff, London, Manchester and Glasgow.
Tickets are available now here.
Announcing the support, Tenille shared, “It was such a joy listening through all of the submissions from artists who entered to open these UK shows! I loved learning about such amazing talent throughout the UK and witnessing the heart in every entry, from everyone creating beautiful and brave art. Thanks to every artist who shared a piece of themselves with us, and to Headliner for partnering with us on this. I still can’t believe we had nearly 150 submissions – incredibly tough to narrow in! But I can’t wait to share the stage with The Goudies in Cardiff, Luke Hart in London, Katie Rigby in Manchester, and Abigail Pryde in Glasgow. So excited to get to know them all and for everyone to hear these incredible artists on this tour!”
Paul Watson, Founder and CEO of Headliner Group, shared: “It has been a real honour for Headliner to work with Tenille Townes and her team on this initiative ahead of her upcoming UK headline dates. Tenille’s commitment to storytelling, creativity and supporting emerging talent feels completely aligned with what Headliner exists to champion. We’re proud to have helped create a platform for independent UK artists to be heard, and we can’t wait to see the winners take their place on stage.”
This support lineup perfectly mirrors the raw, stripped-back nature of The Acrobat – a deeply personal record completely written, played, produced, and mixed by Townes herself. Designed to feel like a living room session, the tour highlights the JUNO and ACM Award winner’s emotional truth and soaring vocals up close. Having previously shared stages with legend-status artists like Stevie Nicks, Shania Twain, and Miranda Lambert, Townes is set to deliver an authentic, songcraft-focused experience to the UK next month.
TENILLE TOWNES’ THE LIVING ROOM UK TOUR DATES:
Tuesday, 29th September, 2026 – The Gate, Cardiff
Wednesday, 30th September, 2026 – EartH, London
Thursday 1st October, 2026 – Stoller, Manchester
Friday 2nd October, 2026 – Mackintosh, Glasgow
FULL DETAILS OF ALL UK TOUR DATES ARE ON THE COUNTRY LOWDOWN GIG GUIDE
ABOUT TENILLE TOWNES:
Canada-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tenille Townes has become one of country music’s most compelling voices, known for deeply human storytelling rooted in empathy, honesty, and emotional clarity. Over the past five years, her music has earned her two JUNO Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards including ACM New Female Artist of the Year, and 17 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, alongside more than 315 million global streams.
Townes is also the first female artist in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two No. 1 singles, with the Platinum-certified “Somebody’s Daughter” and Gold-certified “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking).” A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she has toured with artists including Stevie Nicks, Miranda Lambert, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Reba, George Strait, and Zac Brown Band while building an international fanbase drawn to her ability to balance heartfelt vulnerability with uplifting optimism.
Now stepping fully into her independence, Townes is entering a new creative era on her own terms. Following the release of her self-produced and independently released album The Acrobat on April 10, 2026, she returns with ‘Sunshine’s Free‘, a radiant new song featuring Keith Urban on guitar.
ABOUT THE GOUDIES:
The Goudies are a South Wales husband-and-wife folk-country duo, known for their close harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and moving performances. Compared to The Civil Wars and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, their Laurel Canyon-coloured sound has been praised for its “radiant warmth and authenticity,” with harmonies and raw lyrics that captivate audiences. Their debut album ‘Hold On Honey’ is due for release in Autumn 2026.
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ABOUT LUKE HART:
Hailing from Southport, Luke Hart is earning his place as one of the newest names in the music scene. Luke’s uncompromising priority for making people around him feel happy reflects in his music and profile. After recording dozens of songs about everything from love to loss to carnivals that speak to people all over the world via his social media, Luke has taken his songs on the road exploring the towns and cities that will have him. An exciting year is yet to come for Luke as he moves into his debut release campaigns.
ABOUT KATIE RIGBY:
Winner of the BCMA (British Country Music Association) Horizon Artist award, UK singer-songwriter, Katie Rigby, delivers her own take on country folk music. Priding herself on her authenticity, Rigby became known for her single, ‘past life cowgirl’, which saw her placed a semi finalist on the American Songwriter competition and has amassed over 200,000 global streams. 2026 has been a huge year for Rigby as she continues to go from strength to strength; she’s debuted at festivals across the UK & Europe, spent time performing and writing in Nashville, supported female power houses like Kylie Morgan and Harper O’Neill on their tours and has now sold out her own headline show at Deaf Institute Manchester and York. Imagine Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour meets Taylor Swift’s Evermore.
Her thoughtful lyrics and detailed melodies bring a fresh twist to the UK country scene.
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ABOUT ABIGAIL PRYDE:
Whether it’s a tale of heartbreak, revenge or just a sweet love story, Abigail Pryde’s emotive songwriting has all the country feeling you could ask for. Throw in a backing band featuring some of Scotland’s top folk musicians and it will surely get your ears twitching! If you’re a fan of Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves and Tenille Townes- Abigail’s music is certainly for you.
Having written and recorded with other artists such as folk band Heron Valley for much of her career, she is now stepping out on her own with her debut album under Wee Studio Records.
Abigail grew up in rural Argyll with music at the heart of her family and local traditions. Fiddle was her first instrument, however she learned guitar and vocal stylings at home with her father, Alan, before moving to Glasgow to pursue music at University and eventually full time. Music is in her blood and in her heart, and there is no denying that you can hear that in her music.
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