Jade Helliwell has rapidly become one of the most compelling figures on the UK country music scene, blending a notably British sensibility with the storytelling heart of Nashville. See her in Newcastle this April.

Jade Helliwell’s rise to prominence is the kind of modern fairy tale that fuels the industry. In 2017, a spontaneous duet of ‘Hallelujah’ with a busker on a night out in Leeds went viral, amassing over 23 million views and giving the former teaching assistant the momentum to pursue music full-time. What makes Helliwell truly exciting, however, is how she has moved far beyond that viral moment to establish herself as a decorated powerhouse. A multi-time British Country Music Association (BCMA) award winner, she has scooped up titles including Female Vocalist of the Year and UK Single of the Year for her track ‘Heroes & Heroines’. Most recently, her album ‘How Love Goes’ was crowned UK Album of the Year at the 2025/2026 BCMA Awards, cementing her status as a leading voice in the genre. Her sound is a refreshing mix of contemporary pop-country, drawing inspiration from legends like Dolly Parton and modern stars like Maren Morris and Taylor Swift. This versatility allows her to navigate between bombastic, high-energy festival anthems and intimate, vulnerable ballads. GM

Jade Helliwell, Thursday 23 April, Cluny 2, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £20, thecluny.com