Zandi Holup is an emerging folk-country singer, songwriter and actress whose music is rooted in raw storytelling and delivered with world-weary, slightly raspy vocals. Originally from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, Holup eventually relocated to Nashville to pursue music full-time, drawing on personal experiences and observations to shape her songwriting.
She took the stage at the Sound of Nashville Open Air 2026 barefoot, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar and delivering her songs with a direct, unvarnished vocal style. A female fiddle player joined her on stage, adding a warm, rootsy layer to the otherwise stripped-back arrangements and reinforcing the country-folk character of the performance.
Holup describes her repertoire simply as “sad songs,” but there is more to them than melancholy alone. Her songwriting explores difficult and often deeply personal subjects, including addiction, family conflict and the struggles that come with trying to make sense of complicated relationships. Rather than dressing these themes up, she approaches them with a striking honesty that gives the songs their emotional weight. Songs performed were ‘Mountain Man’. Mary Jane’, ‘Gas Station Flowers’, ‘Cowgirls Don’t Cry’ ‘Go Find LEss’ and closing the set with ‘Wildflower.
German language review: CountryMusicNews.de
Accreditation: Semmel Concerts
