As part of the 2025 recap, Country Music France publishes, for the first time, a ranking of the best Live Albums released last year. In my opinion, live albums are not enough appreciated and valued, compared to studio albums. That’s why I wanted to launch this new ranking, that I will keep on carrying out each year, from now on.
As I live in France, I’m not able to see a lot of artists on stage. That’s why live albums are so important, for me : if you can’t see your favorite artist or band at a gig, listening to a live album is undoubtedly the best way to appreciate the quality of the performance.
This ranking is a Top 5 Live Albums, with an additional list of 7 other live albums that I also particularly appreciated last year. If you can, I strongly recommend you to buy vinyl or CD’s. Live records are always amazing, and it’s the best thing that you can do to support an artist. That said, let’s go !
#5 The Band of Heathens – All That Remains (Live)
After a splendid album in 2024, in collaboration with Carll Hayes, “Hayes and the Heathens“, the Band of Heathens released a wonderful live album in 2025, “All that Remains (Live)“. It’s a brilliant record that let us appreciate the talent of the Texan band and the quality of their performance. Tremendous live album !
#4 Wyatt Flores – Live at Cain’s Ballroom
Wyatt Flores is an artist whose capacity to stir our emotions thanks to his tremendous voice is particularly impressive. After three wonderful studio records, his first live album was particulary awaited, and it was worth the wait. “Live at Cain’s Ballroom” is an unmissable record for all those who love red dirt music and, beyond, for all those who want to feel a bunch of emotions, listening to authentic and brilliant songs.
#3 American Aquarium – Live at Red Rocks
American Aquarium, who was Country Music France’s 2021 Artist of the Year, is unanimously praised for the quality of their live performances, and I’m a witness of their fantastic energy on stage, after seeing them at la Boule Noire, in Paris, in februrary of 2023, an unforgettable concert for me. BJ Barham is one the best actual songwriters and also a tremendous performer. With such musical quality and such energy, their live album at the legendary Red Rocks is a wonderful gem.
#2 Red Clay Strays – Live at the Ryman
After two stellar studio albums, “Moment of Truth” and “Made by these Moments” (Country Music France’s 2024 Album of the Year), the Red Clay Strays released in 2025 their first live album, “Live at the Ryman“. The band from Mobile, Alabama, doesn’t disappoint with a record that highlights the tremendous quality of their live performances and the prodigious voice of their singer, Brandon Coleman.
#1 Charles Wesley Godwin – Live from the Steel City
Charles Wesley Godwin is awarded for the second time on this blog as part of the recap of 2025: his EP “Lonely Mountain Town” was Country Music France’s EP of the year, and now “Live from the Steel City” is Country Music France’s Live Album of the year 2025. This record, released in September of 2025, and three months later as a 3xLP vinyl, is a real gem for all those who love country music. Listening to his music played live, you feel all the energy and the authenticity of Charles Wesley Godwin on stage. An unmissable live album !
Other excellent live albums released in 2025
- Billy Strings and Bryan Sutton – Live at the Legion
- Whitey Morgan & the 78’s – Live From Bandit Town USA
- Arlo McKinley – Live at the Burl
- Drayton Farley – Live & Acoustic from Germany
- JD Graham and Justin Clyde Williams – Live at the Vulcaan
- Ward Davis – The Bordello Sessions
- Brad Russell Band – Live at Fort Worth Sound
Nicolas Davelu
Country Music France 
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