The Setlist & The Script

You know that feeling when you see an artist live and just know they’re on the edge of something good? That’s exactly what we felt watching Amy Jo Clough command the stage at 45 Vinyl. An intimate café-bar steeped in musical nostalgia, it’s the kind of venue that feels like it belongs on a road trip through Tennessee. But this isn’t Nashville, it’s northern England, and Amy Jo brought enough charm, hooks, and heartfelt lyrics to make the comparison legit.

We caught up with her right before another one of her sets, and what unfolded was a candid, charismatic chat with an artist who’s rewriting what UK country-pop can look like. From co-writing revelations to scrapping the sad-girl anthems, Amy Jo is crafting her next chapter, and it’s looking pretty joyful.

“I’m Amy Jo. I am from Morecambe Bay…”

That’s how she starts. Just plain and honest. A country-pop artist hailing from the northwest coast of England, armed with a back catalogue of tracks and a guitar full of new ones not yet released. What’s striking from the jump is how grounded Amy Jo is, there’s no pretence, just passion.

“I sing country pop songs and yeah, I love writing music and I love traveling around and playing my music.”

This isn’t an artist chasing viral fame or TikTok trends. Amy Jo’s mission is simpler, purer: write songs that resonate, share them far and wide, and connect with people. And it’s working.

Live at 45 Vinyl: One for the Bucket List

Her recent double-hearder at 45 Vinyl was a full-circle moment.

“It’s been on my bucket list for quite a long time,” she admits, eyes lighting up. “Mainly because I love venues and cafes that just have all memorabilia… it just feels like such a cool little intimate hub for country lovers.” It wasn’t just the venue that made the night special. Amy Jo opened for the incredible Gina Larner on night one, “a big name in UK country,” as she puts it, who blew her away.

“I’ve actually never heard her play live, but like her voice was so powerful,” she says, clearly still buzzing. “It was really nice to be part of that.” It’s these moments, shared stages, surprise singalongs, spontaneous connections, that shape an artist’s identity, and Amy Jo is drinking it all in.

When asked about her favourite song to play live, Amy Jo doesn’t even hesitate. “It’s a song that’s actually not out yet… but we get the audience singing this really catchy hook in the middle and every time it’s totally different.”

She talks about it like it’s already a fan favourite, and honestly, from the sound of it, it probably is. The track, has been road-tested in venues across the country, and it’s clear it’s striking a chord. “We’re so excited to release the song because that bit just goes down so well.”

She laughs as she recounts forgetting to play one of her own songs the night before: “I was like, why did I not sing that?” That off-the-cuff honesty is classic Amy Jo. No manufactured front, just real love for what she does and who she does it for.

The Evolution: From Sad-Girl Anthems to Sunny Folk-Pop

When we dig into her songwriting evolution, Amy Jo opens up about the creative shifts that have reshaped her process.

“I used to do a lot of solo writing,” she says. “But I’ve really kind of pushed myself to do more co-writing recently. Mainly because I just want to hear other people’s perspectives… It kind of gets boring when you’re always listening to your own thoughts.”

Relatable? Extremely.

The collaboration has clearly sparked something in her, there’s a new energy, a sonic warmth that’s bleeding into the upcoming album. She describes it as “a little bit more folky over time and a little bit more upbeat.”

But what really stands out is this next line: “This next album is a lot more upbeat and a little bit less… sort of sad girl anthems.”

Not because the sad-girl genre’s passé (it’s absolutely not), but because Amy Jo’s in a new place, and she’s not afraid to let that joy shine through. “I’m very happy at the moment,” she beams. “I want the whole album to be quite positive and sort of a reflection of my perspective on the world, which is usually quite positive most of the time.”

UK Country Is Coming… But Where’s the Homegrown Hype?

Talk to any UK country artist and you’ll hear the same frustration: the scene’s growing, sure, but mostly for American acts.

“With C2C [Country to Country Festival] and everything that’s going on… we’re seeing so much growth,” Amy Jo agrees. “But it tends to be like the American artists more.”

It’s a tough truth. The UK’s finally embracing country music, but local talent still fights for the spotlight. Amy Jo’s not bitter, though—she sees the success of American stars as inspiration, not competition.

“If someone’s smashing it, like, it gives me hope that I could one day be at that level.”

And there’s something she’s spotted recently, audiences here are starting to get it. “We’re seeing more people that genuinely just love the genre and the storytelling and the live band experience… that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

Co-Writing, Community, and a Proper Northern Work Ethic

Amy Jo is no overnight success story. Her journey is filled with sweat, sessions, and a serious love for community. She speaks about songwriting with the kind of reverence usually reserved for soulmates.

“There’s only so many things I can think about and only so many experiences I’ve had from my perspective,” she says. “So I’d say it’s evolved… listening to other people’s opinions in the studio.”

That vulnerability, to open up to co-writers, to trust their vision, to strip away ego, is rare. But it’s also the fuel behind the next Amy Jo Clough era: more voices, more textures, more magic.

And let’s be honest—she’s doing it all from Morecambe Bay, not Music Row. That’s grit. That’s hustle. That’s the stuff real scenes are built on.

What Comes Next?

Amy Jo’s not giving too much away just yet, but she’s clearly giddy about what’s to come. A new album’s in the works. A summer single is primed to soundtrack your road trips. And there’s a whole lot more touring on the cards. But for now, she’s just riding the wave—one singalong at a time.

“I feel like this [next release] could be a really good fun summer song,” she says, with that mix of nerves and pride that tells you she knows she’s got something special.

Final Thoughts from The Front Row

Amy Jo Clough is proof that UK country-pop has a heart, a soul, and a serious sense of humour. She’s not chasing fads, she’s building a catalogue that actually means something. And in a genre still searching for its UK identity, Amy Jo might just be the voice that makes it click.

So if you’re looking for the UK’s answer to Kacey Musgraves or Tenille Townes, stop searching. She’s already here, gigging in your local venue, probably making the crowd sing her unreleased track back to her.

Do yourself a favour, go see Amy Jo Clough live, add her to your playlists, and when that summer banger drops… play it loud with the windows down.

Watch the full interview on Youtube right now!