Yola
Joseph Ross SmithIt took the pandemic for Yola to realize she needed balance while on the road -- and she's making sure she remembers that on her upcoming trek.
The British singer is set to embark on her largest U.S. headlining tour yet, beginning in February with two nights at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, Chicago’s landmark Thalia Hall and plenty more. The nearly 40-date tour follows her triumphant new album Stand for Myself, and fans can expect a bolder onstage presence than they’ve seen before.
“I misunderstood that I was an extrovert, but I am an introverted extrovert,” says Yola. She adds that while she felt a bit guilty enjoying alone time during the pandemic, it gave her time to discover that such solitude was necessary to recharge "because of the nature of my job and my humor, which I developed primarily as a defense mechanism to white supremacy, which then developed into a coping mechanism. It’s how I amuse myself -- and keep everything making sense.”
Stand for Yourself -- Yola's second studio album produced by her label boss and the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach -- is a departure from her first as the music is glitzy and conjures images of line dancing and roller rinks. Listeners can almost see the light reflected from a disco ball on solemnly named tracks like “Dancing Away My Tears.” And for as much as the album celebrates black feminine strength through vulnerability, it also proves Yola is unafraid to tackle issues of racism and cultural divides.
She's quick to attribute much of the album’s success to new co-writers, most of whom were women. When she first entered Auerbach’s orbit years ago, they decided to create a record together in Nashville before they even met. At the time, Yola knew few people in the States and, as a result, created her 2019 breakout album Walk Through Fire with a room full of white American men.
“There wasn’t anything in my life experience that they would instinctively know about,” she recalls of her first co-writers. “I finally got to pick the co-writers for this record because I knew enough people. One thing that really makes it sound different is that I have women of color [contributing] that can help me speak on something.”
The Bristol native tapped The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, H.E.R. co-writer Ruby Amanfu and rising star Joy Oladokun, among others. She credits their voices for helping her complete songs that had previously stalled, like “Break the Bough,” which she began writing in 2013. As Yola says: “To be able to have some agency is a really big thing that stands out [on this album]."
And while Yola’s work has always been difficult to categorize -- though many have called it everything from country to soul to folk and beyond -- she’s doubling down on the idea of genre-bending not only on the album, which is equal parts reckoning and romp, but also with her new merch that should be available at her upcoming 2022 headlining dates.
Tickets for Yola’s 2022 headlining dates will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. local time. An exclusive Spotify Fans First presale will begin Thursday. Yola will hit the road this year for select festivals, as well as rescheduled opening dates with Chris Stapleton. See the singer’s full list of dates below.
2021
Aug 21 - Globe Life Park - Arlington, TX - w/ Chris Stapleton
Aug 22 - Outlaw Music Festival - Austin360 Amphitheater
Sep 3 - Summerfest
Sep 5 - Jazz Aspen Snowmass
Sep 10 - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival
Sep 11 - Moon River Festival
Sep 12 - Sing Out Loud Festival
Sep 16 - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - Maryland Height, MO - w/ Chris Stapleton
Sep 17 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre - Birmingham, AL - w/ Chris Stapleton
Sep 18 - The Wharf Amphitheatre - Orange Beach, AL - w/ Chris Stapleton
Sep 25 - Ruoff Music Center. Noblesville, IN - w/ Chris Stapleton
Sep 26 - Ohana Music Festival
Oct 7 - Harvester Performance Center - Rocky Mount, VA
Oct 8 - Madison Square Garden - NYC, NY - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 14 - Mizzou Arena - Columbia, MO - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 15 - Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, NE - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 16 - Denny Sanford Premier Center - Sioux Falls, SD - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 21 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 22 & 23 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 28 - United Supermarket Arena - Lubbock, TX - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 29 - Isleta Amphitheater - Albuquerque, NM - w/ Chris Stapleton
Oct 30 - AK-Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ - w/ Chris Stapleton
Nov 4 - Frank Erwin Center - Austin, TX - w/ Chris Stapleton
Nov 5 - BOK Center - Tulsa, OK - w/ Chris Stapleton
Nov 6 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion - The Woodlands, TX - w/ Chris Stapleton
Nov 24 - Bristol, Eng - Rough Trade
Dec 3 - FedEx Forum - Memphis, TN - w/ Chris Stapleton
Dec 4 - Mississippi Coast Coliseum - Biloxi, MS - w/ Chris Stapleton
Dec 5 - Thompson-Boling Arena - Knoxville, TN - w/ Chris Stapleton
2022
Feb 1-5 - Girls Just Wanna Weekend
Feb 8 - Big Night Live - Boston, MA
Feb 11 - Lincoln Theatre - Washington D.C
Feb 13 - Jefferson Theatre - Charlottesville, VA
Feb 15 - Philadelphia, PA - venue TBA on sale TBA
Feb 17 - Thalia Hall - Chicago, IL
Feb 19 - Hoyt Sherman Place - Des Moines, IA
Feb 23 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Mar 3 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN - w/ Allison Russell
Mar 4 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN - w/ Devon Gilfillian
Mar 11 - Saint Andrew’s Hall - Detroit, MI
Mar 13 - The National - Richmond, VA
Mar 15 - The Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Mar 16 - The Ritz - Raleigh, NC
Mar 18 - Charleston Music Hall - Charleston, SC
Mar 19 - The Eastern - Atlanta, GA
Mar 20 - Saturn - Birmingham, AL
Mar 22 - Little Rock, AR - venue TBA on sale TBA
Mar 23 - The Joy Theater - New Orleans, LA
Mar 25 - Studio at the Factory - Dallas, TX
Mar 26 - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX
Mar 27 - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater - Austin, TX
Mar 29 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
Mar 30 - The Jones Assembly - Oklahoma City, OK
April 1 - Belly Up Aspen - Aspen, CO
April 2 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
April 3 - Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO
Apr 5 - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT
Apr 6 - Knitting Factory - Boise, ID
Apr 7 - The ELM - Bozeman, MT
Apr 9 - The Wilma - Missoula, MT
Apr 10 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
Apr 11 - Roseland Theater - Portland, OR
Apr 14 - The Fillmore - San Francisco, CA
Apr 15 - Ace of Spades - Sacramento, CA
April 20 - Huntington Center. Toledo, OH - w/ Chris Stapleton
April 21 - Schottenstein Center. Columbus, OH - w/ Chris Stapleton
April 23 - A Concert for Kentucky – Kroger Field. Lexington, KY - w/ Chris Stapleton
Apr 27 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
May 1 - Stagecoach Festival
Dave, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Jim Legxacy are some of the biggest names in the running for this year’s Urban Music Awards.
Now in its 24th year, the ceremony is heading back to London on December 15 to recognise talent from across the UK and the international urban music scene.
With ten nominations, Dave has earned more nods than any other artist this year. His nominations include Artist of the Year (UK) and Best Album for The Boy Who Played the Harp, while his Tems collaboration ‘Raindance’ is competing in three categories. Olivia Dean, RAYE and Jim Legxacy have each received eight nominations. Skepta is close behind with seven, with ‘Victory Lap’, his track alongside Fred again.. and PlaqueBoyMax, also earning recognition.
Central Cee, Dave, Finn Askew, FLO, J Hus, Jim Legxacy, Lola Young, Nemzzz, Odeal, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Scorcher and Skepta are all competing for Artist of the Year (UK). The Best Album shortlist features Central Cee’s Cant Rush Greatness, Little Simz’s Lotus, RAYE’s This Music May Contain Hope, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving and FLO’s Access All Areas. Meanwhile, Ezra Collective, D Block Europe, NSG, SAULT and FLO are competing for Best Group.
The ceremony is also giving more attention to music from around the world, with awards recognising artists from the USA, Africa, the Caribbean, France, Asia and South America. Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Doechii, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Tyla, Vybz Kartel, Aya Nakamura, Diljit Dosanjh, Bad Bunny and Karol G are among the international names nominated.
Speaking about this year’s nominations, Cressida Oppenheimer, Vice President of the Urban Music Awards, said: “For 24 years, the Urban Music Awards have championed the artists, producers, DJs and creators who drive our culture forward. This year's nominees show just how strong, diverse and global urban music has become. Now it's over to the fans: get voting, and we'll see you on 15 December for a night of elegance, fashion, performances and the biggest celebration of the year.”
Fans can cast their votes at urbanmusicawards.org/voting. Tickets and VIP tables can also be purchased through the awards’ official website, with the evening featuring a red carpet, live performances, the award presentations and an official afterparty. Viewers will be able to watch the celebration live on Channel One TV.
The 2026 Urban Music Awards nominations:
Artist of the Year (UK)
Central Cee
Dave
Finn Askew
FLO
J Hus
Jim Legxacy
Lola Young
Nemzzz
Odeal
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
RAYE
Scorcher
Skepta
Best Male Act
Aitch
Central Cee
Dave
Donaeo
Elmiene
Fuse ODG
Jim Legxacy
Kojey Radical
Myles Smith
Nemzzz
Odeal
Sampha
Scorcher
Skepta
Best Female Act
Cleo Sol
FLO
JADE
Jorja Smith
kwn
Little Simz
Lola Young
Mahalia
Nia Smith
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
Rachel Chinouriri
RAYE
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Sonna Rele
Tamera
Best Newcomer
Chy Cartier
CRISTALE
DC3
EsDeeKid
Finessekid
Finn Askew
Jim Legxacy
kwn
LeoStayTrill
Namesbliss
Nectar Woode
Nia Smith
Nippa
Olympia Vitalis
Owen Saward
Sekou
Skye Newman
YT
Best Group
D Block Europe
Ezra Collective
FLO
House Gospel Choir
NSG
SAULT
Sol and The Gang
STXRM Collective
WSTRN
Best Album
Central Cee – Cant Rush Greatness
DAMEDAME – Dreams on the Passenger Seat
Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp
FLO – Access All Areas
Griminal – Grimace
Kojey Radical – Dont Look Down
Little Simz – Lotus
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Best Single
AJ Tracey feat. Jorja Smith – Crush
Akelle and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It
Bugzy Malone – Tears
Dappy feat. Renaya – Straight Facts 2 Remix
Dave and Tems – Raindance
Dionne Bromfield – Greenlight
Donaeo feat. Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This
Durrty Goodz – Fight For England
Finn Askew – Music All Over Her Body
Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Fuse ODG – 54 Countries
kwn – Do What I Say
Kyla x Moliy – Do You Mind Remix
Mr Eazi feat. Moliy – Comfort
Nippa feat. Blxst – Homegrown
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
Owen Saward, ANGEL and WSTRN – Not Mine OWA Remix
Papoose – Jezebel
RAYE – Where Is My Husband!
Stormzy and Odeal – 24 Hours
Best Collaboration
Akelle and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It
Ama Louise and Wilfy D – Love Or War
Ayo Beatz and DJ Ironik – Lil Bit
Clean Bandit, Chloe and Omah Lay – Company
Coki and Durrty Goodz – We Nah Business
Dave and Tems – Raindance
Deyah and Mercston – Switch
Donaeo feat. Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This
Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Jim Legxacy and Dave – 3X
Kyla x Moliy – Do You Mind Remix
Lioness feat. Queenie – Savage 4 Who
Nippa feat. Blxst – Homegrown
Sam Fender feat. Olivia Dean – Rein Me In
Stormzy and Odeal – 24 Hours
Tamera feat. Aitch – Undeniable
Tinie Tempah and Daecolm – Living Life
Yourboywonder and Stylo G – Keep It Sweet
Best Music Video
Akelle and Dexta Daps – Tink Bout It
Ayo Beatz and DJ Ironik – Lil Bit
Casper Walsh – Hustler Boogie
Dave and Tems – Raindance
Donaeo, Omar, Lemar and House Gospel Choir – Nights Like This
Dopebwoy and AJ Tracey – Stupid Move It
DJ MAC, MDot R and George P feat. CrashDummy – Confessions
Durrty Goodz – Fight For England
FKA twigs – Eusexua
Jim Legxacy – Father
Lioness feat. Queenie – Savage 4 Who
Little Simz feat. Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly – Flood
Olympia Vitalis – Painted Smiles
PinkPantheress – Illegal
Pozer – Shanghai Noon
RAYE – Where Is My Husband!
Best Live Act / Performance
Dave
FLO
J Hus
Jorja Smith
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
Oritse Williams
RAYE
Sampha
Skepta
Best Singer / Songwriter
Elmiene
Jorja Smith
Lola Young
Michael Kiwanuka
Myles Smith
Odeal
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Sampha
Sasha Keable
Best Producer
Fred again..
Inflo
JAE5
Knucks
M1OnTheBeat
P2J
PinkPantheress
Sammy Virji
Steel Banglez
TSB
Best DJ
Charlie Sloth
Conducta
DJ AG
DJ Ironik
DJ Maximum
DJ Semtex
DJ Target
Jamz Supernova
Kenny Allstar
Larizzle
Mak 10
Sammy Virji
Sherelle
Genre Awards
Best Hip Hop Act
Aitch
Ceebo
Central Cee
D Block Europe
Dave
Jim Legxacy
Knucks
Kojey Radical
Little Simz
Loyle Carner
Nemzzz
Youngs Teflon
Best R and B / Soul Act
Elmiene
Jim Legxacy
Jorja Smith
kwn
Mabel
Nectar Woode
Nia Smith
Nippa
Odeal
Olympia Vitalis
Owen Saward
Sampha
SAULT
Sasha Keable
Shae Universe
Best Grime Act
Chip
D Double E
Durrty Goodz
Griminal
Jayahadadream
JME
Kano
Kasst 8
Scorcher
Skepta
Wiley
Best Drill Act
36
Booter Bee
Chy Cartier
Digga D
EsDeeKid
Headie One
K Trap
LeoStayTrill
Nemzzz
Pozer
Twin S
Wohdee
Best Afrobeats Act
Asake
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
Moliy
Mr Eazi
Rema
Shallipopi
Tems
Tiwa Savage
Wizkid
Best Reggae / Dancehall Act
Koffee
Lila Ike
Masicka
Popcaan
Protoje
Shenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Vybz Kartel
Yung Bredda
Best Jazz Act
Blue Lab Beats
Chelsea Carmichael
Kokoroko
Moses Boyd
Nubya Garcia
Shabaka
Yussef Dayes
Best Gospel Act
Aaron Cole
CalledOut Music
DC3
Faith Child
Limoblaze
Rachel Kerr
Triple O
Volney Morgan and New Ye
Yourboywonder
International Awards
Artist of the Year (USA)
Cardi B
Clipse
Doechii
Kehlani
Kendrick Lamar
Leon Thomas
Mariah the Scientist
Papoose
SZA
Tyler, The Creator
Artist of the Year (Africa)
Abigail Chams
Ayra Starr
Black Sherif
Burna Boy
Davido
Diamond Platnumz
Fally Ipupa
Fuse ODG
Moliy
Mr Eazi
Rema
Tems
Wizkid
Artist of the Year (Caribbean)
Amanda Reifer
Armanii
Kes
Koffee
Machel Montano
Masicka
Popcaan
Shenseea
Skillibeng
Spice
Vybz Kartel
Artist of the Year (France)
Aya Nakamura
Dadju
Franglish
Gazo
Gims
Hamza
JADE
Ninho
SDM
Tayc
Tiakola
Artist of the Year (Asia)
AP Dhillon
Diljit Dosanjh
DIVINE
Hanumankind
Jackson Wang
Jay Park
Karan Aujla
KEI
Keshi
Artist of the Year (South America)
Anitta
Bizarrap
Blessd
Emilia
Feid
J Balvin
Karol G
Nicki Nicole
Ryan Castro
Trueno
Best International Act
Ayra Starr
Bad Bunny
Dina Ayada
Doechii
Kehlani
Kendrick Lamar
Leon Thomas
Papoose
Sarah Black
Shenseea
SZA
Tems
Tyla
Vybz Kartel
Culture, Media and Digital
Best Entertainer
Big Zuu
Boris Becker
Chunkz
Harry Pinero
KSI
Munya Chawawa
Niko Omilana
ShxtsNGigs
Sol and The Gang
Stephen Sarpong
Zoe Baptiste
Best Podcast
3 Shots of Tequila
90s Baby Show
Cocktails and Takeaways
HC Pod
No Behaviour Podcast
Saving Grace
ShxtsNGigs
The Day After TNB
The Diary of a CEO
The Receipts Podcast
Best Radio Show
DJ Target – DJ Target, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Kenny Allstar – Radio 1s Rap Show, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra
Chuckie – 1Xtras R and B Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
DJ Edu – 1Xtras AfroSounds Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Seani B – 1Xtras Dancehall Show, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Remi Burgz – Remi Burgz, BBC Radio 1Xtra
Robert Bruce and Shayna Marie – Capital XTRA Breakfast, Capital XTRA
DJ Semtex – DJ Semtex, Capital XTRA
Manny Norte – The Norte Show, Capital XTRA
Ras Kwame – Reggae Recipe, Capital XTRA
Ace – The R and B Show, KISS XTRA
Juls – Afrobeats with Juls, KISS XTRA
Esi – The Rap Show, KISS XTRA
Davda – The Dancehall Show, KISS XTRA
Nick Gibbons – Nick Gibbons, Reprezent Radio
DJ GBE – ONDECKWITHGBE, Reprezent Radio
TEEQS – New Music Mondays with TEEQS, The Beat London 103.6 FM
Lashana Camille – Lunchtime with Lashana Camille, The Beat London 103.6 FM
Best Radio Station
BBC Radio 1Xtra
Capital XTRA
Capital XTRA Reloaded
Foundation FM
KISS XTRA
KISSTORY R and B
No Signal
Reprezent Radio
Rinse FM
The Beat London 103.6 FM
Best Music Discovery Platform
Spotify
TikTok
Apple Music
YouTube Music
SoundCloud
Audiomack
Bandcamp
Shazam
Kick
Amazon Music
Best Record Label
0207 Def Jam
Merky Records
Atlantic Records UK
Black Butter Records
Dirty Hit
EMI Records
Since 93
Sony Music UK
Universal Music UK
Warner Records UK
Young
Best Viral Breakthrough Song
EsDeeKid – Phantom
Fred again.., Skepta and PlaqueBoyMax – Victory Lap
Jim Legxacy and Dave – 3X
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
PinkPantheress – Illegal
RAYE – Where Is My Husband!
Shenseea feat. Vybz Kartel – Talk to Me Nuh
Skye Newman – Family Matters
