Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend—a brand new destination concert vacation featuring an all female-fronted lineup produced by Cloud 9 Adventures in partnership with The Bowery Presents—will take place at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico from January 30-February 3, 2019. In addition to multiple shows by Carlile, Girls Just Wanna Weekend will feature Maren Morris, Indigo Girls, Margo Price, Patty Griffin, Lucius, KT Tunstall, The Secret Sisters and Ruby Amanfu.
Of her inspiration behind the event, Carlile comments, “Mainstream festivals in the U.S. habitually exclude women as headline artists equal to men. I was brought up by Lilith Fair to believe that men and women enjoy live music equally and that women can not only headline a festival—they can BE a festival. I’m proud to announce that our festival has an ALL female-fronted lineup. I would absolutely LOVE to see a ton of men there supporting women in rock and roll, I want to see mothers with children, single people, LGBTQ brothers and sisters letting it all go for a weekend together in harmony (with bottomless tequila on hand to assist).”
Girls Just Wanna Weekend will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, a luxurious all-inclusive resort located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Guests can choose from a variety of well-appointed room categories available, including Concert Courtyard rooms, stage front suites and lush tropical views spread throughout the property. Members of the Bramily Fan Alliance—Carlile’s official fan club—will get access to opt-in to an exclusive pre-sale through the Bramily website until July 25, 2018. Those who register will be eligible for a pre-sale beginning Tuesday, July 31 with public on sale starting at 12:00 pm ET on Wednesday, August 1. Complete details regarding the festival and packages are available via www.girlsjustwannaweekend.com.
The festival caps off a triumphant year for Carlile following the release of her new album, By The Way, I Forgive You, which was recently named “Album of the Year” by Elton John on his Rocket Hour radio show on Beats 1 on Apple Music. Produced by Grammy-Award winning producer Dave Cobb and acclaimed musician Shooter Jennings, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart, Rock Albums chart and Americana/Folk Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart—a career high for the Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and performer. Carlile is also nominated for three Americana Music Association Awards & Honors this year: Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“The Joke”) and Album of the Year (By The Way, I Forgive You).
In continued celebration of the album, Carlile will return to “Late Night with Seth Meyers” this Thursday, July 19 for a performance featuring a special surprise guest. This follows performances earlier this year on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Carlile will continue her extensive nationwide tour this summer and fall with upcoming shows at Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (sold out), Los Angeles’ The Greek Theatre and Seattle’s Moore Theatre (sold out) among many others. In addition to the headline dates, Carlile will also make several festival appearances including Newport Folk Festival, Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival and Austin City Limits. See below for complete details.
Released on Low Country Sound/Elektra Records (purchase), By The Way, I Forgive You continues to receive overwhelming critical praise…
“…a raw, stunning demonstration of Carlile’s vocal prowess and offers an inspirational message of empowerment and resilience.”—American Songwriter
The 50 Best Albums of 2018 (So Far): Critic’s Picks—Billboard
“…her new musical masterpiece, By the Way, I Forgive You.”—The Bluegrass Situation
The 15 Best Albums of 2018 So Far—Entertainment Weekly
“…an anthem for the belittled and bullied…evokes the grand crescendos of ‘A Day in the Life’ and the finale of ‘Abbey Road’…”—The New York Times
“…haunting and ethereally beautiful. By The Way, I Forgive You is an album for the ages.”
—No Depression
40 Favorite Albums of 2018 (So Far)—NPR Music
“Opting to reject bitterness, self-pity or revenge, Carlile’s form of forgiveness—in her music and in these real-life gestures—carries a mighty strength.”—NPR Fresh Air
“On By the Way, I Forgive You, she aims higher than ever before, this time with her best songs and exquisite production on her side.”—Paste
“…this is her moment.”—Pitchfork
“My Favorite Songs of 2017” (“The Joke”)—President Barack Obama
“…an Adele-meets Joni Mitchell tour de force.” éééé—Rolling Stone
50 Best Albums of 2018 So Far—Rolling Stone
“If there’s any justice in the world, By The Way, I Forgive You should catapult Brandi Carlile into music’s upper echelons.”—Salon
The 50 Best Albums of 2018 So Far—UPROXX
“Carlile can hit diva-like highs but knows the devil is in the details. Dig in, and you might even forgive yourself for not discovering Carlile sooner.”—Variety
Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, By The Way, I Forgive You includes ten new songs written by Carlile and longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth. Of their close relationship, Brandi comments, “The Twins and I have been in a band for so long now. And not just a band, we are literally a family. When you create art with twins, it becomes unclear when I end and where they begin.” In addition to Carlile (vocals, guitar, piano), Tim Hanseroth (vocals, bass), Phil Hanseroth (vocals, guitar), Cobb (guitar, percussion) and Jennings (piano, organ), the album features Chris Powell (drums), Josh Neumann (cello), John Mark Painter (French horn) as well as string arrangements and conducting by the late Paul Buckmaster (Elton John, The Rolling Stones).
Over the course of their acclaimed career, the band has released six albums, including 2015’sThe Firewatcher’s Daughter, which garnered a Grammy nomination for “Best Americana Album.” Additionally, last year, they released Cover Stories: Brandi Carlile Celebrates 10 Years of the Story (An Album to Benefit War Child), which features 14 artists covering the songs on their breakthrough album The Story with all proceeds benefiting War Child. Artists included on the acclaimed project, which Rolling Stone calls, “tender and powerful,” includeDolly Parton, Adele, Pearl Jam, Kris Kristofferson, The Avett Brothers, Margo Price and Jim James as well as a forward written by President Obama. More details can be found here.
In addition to their work as a band, Carlile and the Hanseroth twins remain committed to social activism and advocacy. Together, they are founders of the Looking Out Foundation, which aims to amplify the impact of music by empowering those without a voice. From neighborhood to nation, the foundation helps fund causes and organizations that often go unnoticed. $1 from every concert ticket sold goes directly toward efforts to support the diverse demographic they aim to serve. For more information on how to volunteer, donate or advocate visit lookingoutfoundation.org.
BRANDI CARLILE CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
July 20—Canandaigua, NY—CMAC*
July 21—Portland, ME—Thompson’s Point* (SOLD OUT)
July 22—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion*
July 26—Brooklyn, NY—BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
July 29—Newport, RI—Newport Folk Festival
August 3-5—Ninilchik, AK—Salmonfest
August 9—Boulder, CO—FMQB Triple A Conference at the Fox Theatre
August 12—Denver, CO—Red Rocks Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)
August 13—Salt Lake City, UT—Red Butte Garden (SOLD OUT)
August 16—San Diego, CA—Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay
August 17—Los Angeles, CA—Greek Theatre
August 18—Santa Barbara, CA—Arlington, Theatre
August 21—San Luis Obispo, CA—Fermont Theatre
August 22—Saratoga, CA—Mountain Winery
August 24—Jacksonville, OR—Britt Festival Fairgrounds
August 25—Bend, OR—Les Schwab Amphitheatre
September 1—Seattle, WA—Moore Theatre (SOLD OUT)
September 7—Burgettstown, PA—Outlaw Music Festival
September 8—Indianapolis, IN—The Murat
September 9—Cincinnati, OH—Taft Theatre
September 22—Athens, GA—Classic Center
September 23—Franklin, KY—Pilgrimage Festival
September 25—Greenville, SC—Peace Center
September 26—Columbia, SC—Township Auditorium
September 28—Charlottesville, VA—Sprint Pavilion
September 29-30—Asbury Park, NJ—Sea Hear Now
October 5-7—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 12-14—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival
January 30-February 3, 2019—Riviera Maya, Mexico—Girls Just Wanna Weekend
*co-headline with Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit