Int’l Festival Of Country Music Rides Again

Missing in action for two decades, the International Festival Of Country Music returns for dates in the U.K., Switzerland and Germany with Reba, Ricky Skaggs, Lonestar, Little Big Town and more.

Photo: AP Photo

46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Las Vegas, Nev.

Dates include London’s Wembley Arena Feb. 26; Belfast at the Odyssey Arena Feb. 29; Zurich at Hallenstadion March 2 and Mannheim at SAP Arena March 4.

Also on the lineup are Narvel Felts, Jo-El Sonnier, George Ducas, George Hamilton IV, Will Banister, Raymond Froggatt and John McNicholl. Expect more acts to be added in the weeks to come.

Why did it take so long to resurrect the tour? In a statement announcing its return, International Festival Of Country Music founder Mervyn Conn cited the growth of country music in the U.K. along with popular demand.

“I’m bringing the International Festival Of Country Music back after over twenty years due to popular demand,” Conn said in a statement. “The regard for country music has grown significantly in the U.K. since the first year I promoted this event and I believe that now is the time to reintroduce this once hugely popular event to converted fans of country music and to a new and emerging group of country music lovers.”

Photo: Jason Moore

"Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival," Empire Polo Field, Indio, Calif.

Ticket sales for Belfast and London begin Oct. 10 via Ticketmaster.co.uk.