Out with the old, and in with the new. While the current events of the new year are things we'd probably all like to chuck out the window already (this seems to be an increasingly true statement as every year passes), in the queer country world there is always something to look forward to. No matter what's happening in the country and American industry, or in politics, queer people are here and will always be here – and they'll be making music.
As country and Americana contend with the pernicious influence of AI — a trend that, I would argue, is only possible because mainstream country has made the genre so rote and artistically bankrupt that it's possible to make songs that are indistinguishable from the real thing — queer and trans artists are uniquely positioned to resist this tide. Our stories shatter the mold of preconceived notions of country music — and are as diverse and individual as anyone. Here's a short list of artists to keep an eye on in 2026:
Angie K
Angie K's star simply keeps climbing. Last year's EP, Angie K, made a huge splash, with breakup songs about Mars and ballads about taking in life's simple joys. Angie K's sound is huge, the encapsulation of everything that's right about country music. She's already announced there's an album due out this year on her social media, and her musical endeavors aren't even the full story. As one of the co-founders of the Country Latin Association, Angie K is building bridges between the obvious crossover of Latin and country music -- as well as helping to create safe spaces in Nashville's Latinx community.
