Page 26 - BiTS_05_MAY_2023

Elles Bailey Wins Big at the UK Americana Awards 2023

Ever-rising star of Americana, Blues, Rock and beyond, Elles Bailey earned
further acclaim in the UK music scene by picking up two awards from the
UK Americana Awards 2023. Not only did Elles win the highly coveted
Artist of the Year Award, she also walked away with the very first
Live Act of the Year Award (a brand-new category voted for by the
music-loving public). What’s more, Elles’ guitarist Joe Wilkins was
also nominated as Instrumentalist of the Year, showing the high regard
he’s earned on his own merit.

“In 2018, I went to my first Americana Awards at the Hackney
Empire after showcasing for the first time,” Elles remembers,
“Back then, I was a completely unknown artist to almost
everyone there, but over the last five years this community
has welcomed me, and so many other artists, with open arms.

“To win Artist of the Year means absolutely everything
(especially when so many of my favourite artists, whom I
look up to and respect, have previously won this award).”

As fans know full well, Elles has been a passionate performer
and champion of live music, so winning the AMAUK’s inaugural
Live Act of the Year Award has special significance for her. “There
is nothing more special than the magical connection that sparks
between artist and audience in a live setting,” says Elles, “It’s
honest, real, raw and utterly spectacular. To win the inaugural
‘Live Act of the Year’ (as voted for by the public) is quite frankly
the hugest of honours. This award is a testament to all the incredible musicians who share the
stage with me and help me tell my story, and I am so grateful to each and every one of them.

The nominations and wins were earned by another year of passionate creative effort, inspiration,
and achievement, in particular the release of Elles’ hit, critically acclaimed, third album ‘Shining
in the Half Light’; also, her deep commitment to live touring STOP PRESS
and performance. Elles Bailey picked up three
awards at the UK Blues Awards.
This self-confessed ‘rolling stone’ will soon be rolling out her
headline 2023 tour and enthusiastically appearing at festivals Having won Artist of the year for
in the Summer. The 18-date 2023 headline UK tour starts next the third time since 2020, she’s
week, 3rd February. She’ll also be appearing at the Black Deer now inducted into the UK Blues
Festival and Maid of Stone Festival this Summer. Hall of Fame.

“The UK Blues community have championed me from the off” says Elles. “I am thrilled to have
picked up three nominations at this year's awards. A huge thank you to everyone one who
nominated me. I am also delighted to see “Shining in the Half Light” pick up a nomination for
album of the year. I am very proud of this record's story both the writing and recording process
and subsequently its release story. To have this nomination and recognition for this body of work
is the icing on the cake.”

Check out the video to ‘Who’s That’ taken from “Shining in the Half Light”. The track is currently
number 20 in the global Spotify blues chart and “Shining in the Half Light” made its way to the
top 40 biggest selling Americana albums of 2022.

Who's That https://youtu.be/X1DXfdKa1WQ