Key Western Fest, launching in Key West this Tuesday, marks a groundbreaking shift in the country music festival scene. This year’s edition stands out with an all-women lineup, predominantly featuring celebrated Nineties country stars. Among the headline acts are country music legends Wynonna Judd, Deana Carter, Tanya Tucker, Lee Ann Womack, and Jo Dee Messina, alongside more recent talents like Mickey Guyton, Kylie Frey, and Nikki Lane.
Suzy Bogguss, set to perform alongside Judd and Guyton, expressed her excitement to Rolling Stone about the unique lineup, highlighting the festival’s daring and inclusive approach. This rare women-centric lineup is a significant change from the usual male-dominated country music festivals and aligns with similar initiatives like Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend in Cancún.
Organizer Kyle Carter, inspired by the crowds at Mile 0 Festival, recognized an opportunity to showcase the impact and talent of female country artists. He carefully curated the lineup to highlight women who have significantly shaped country music over decades. Tanya Tucker shared her enthusiasm for the event, noting the rarity of seeing multiple female artists sharing the stage at such a scale.
Carter emphasizes that Key Western Fest 2024 is more than just a gender-focused event; it’s a celebration of country music’s rich history and talent. The festival, named after Jamie Lin Wilson’s catchphrase, aims to offer an experience where the audience can sing along to familiar hits by these iconic women artists, honoring their enduring influence in the genre.
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