**Festivals 22nd - 24th August 2025**
Notable performances by artists such as Midland, Mackenzie Carpenter, Alana Springsteen, and others highlighted this year’s expanded edition of the country, Americana, and blues festival.
Throughout The Long Road festival site, dogs wander about, enjoying the aromas of BBQ ribs and brisket, with tiny cowboy hats perched atop their heads. Families and friends set up camping chairs in front of the main stage, ready for the day ahead. Several attendees test the frigid waters of the River Avon, which flows through the arena, with cold-water swimming providing an invigorating start to their day. As the UK’s leading outdoor country music festival and a midpoint in the year following the Country To Country Festival, The Long Road shines with its grassroots emphasis and exploration of country’s various sub-genres. Each stage presents both emerging talent from the US and local UK artists, with many blending country music with Americana, folk, roots, rock, and pop. Stanford Hall looms over the venue, which is thoughtfully designed to evoke a classic American atmosphere. Across six stages, attendees can enjoy cooking showcases, a fairground, hay bales, axe throwing, quizzes, panels, songwriter rounds, and a continuous lineup of performers from morning until the early hours. This year, the festival expanded to include a third day, now offering a complete schedule from Friday to Sunday, along with the addition of a new stage, The Hitching Post—a Texas-inspired dance hall featuring a variety of events, including a local talent competition, line dancing lessons, artist interviews, album listening parties, and a lively disco rodeo hosted by Girls in Low Places, complete with sparklers, confetti, and an hour of country hits.
On Friday, songwriter Maya Lane graces The Front Porch, performing some of her newly released music alongside a Fleetwood Mac cover. The intimate setting, surrounded by flowers and dim lighting on the porch of an old house, allows the audience to savor every note. Later, Drake Milligan’s honky-tonk inspired by Elvis brings an energetic close to the first day, marking his ascent as a headliner. The following day features contemporary country pop acts dominating the lineup, with Mackenzie Carpenter singing tracks from her recent album 'Hey Country Queen' and Megan Moroney’s ‘I’m Not Pretty’ (which Carpenter co-wrote). Jeorgia Rose performs in the VIP area, combining personal and witty songwriting with a sound reminiscent of Taylor Swift’s 'Fearless' era. Relaxing on the grass under the sun, the audience hears organ sounds wafting on the breeze from one direction and Henry Webb-Jenkins playing pedal steel for Maria Byrne from another. As the sun sets, the musical vibe shifts, with Charles Wesley Godwin focusing on Americana and folk before Midland takes to the main stage to wrap up the evening (or kick off the night). Rattlesnake Johnny then energizes the crowd with a lively DJ set, while attendees have the opportunity to take the stage themselves at Buddy’s Good Time Bar for country-oke.
On the festival's final day, Halle Kearns and Fancy Hagood open the main stage. Hagood, in particular, wins over many new fans with his performance, which includes a rendition of Robyn’s ‘Dancing On My Own.’ Dressed in ABBA-inspired outfits, Trousdale showcases their three-part harmony before Alana Springsteen demonstrates why she is a staple on any festival lineup, delivering a set filled with catchy hooks and memorable choruses. The festival's diversity is evident as Springsteen is succeeded by Seasick Steve—two artists unlikely to share a bill again, let alone perform consecutively on the same stage. Seasick Steve introduces himself with, "I don’t play country, I play loud," before showcasing his minimalist style with just his drummer, playing guitars that are missing strings or, in some cases, entirely homemade (one being simply a plank of wood with one guitar string and an old can of sweetcorn as an amplifier). Steve proves that sometimes simplicity is best, creating a sound that feels like the essence of guitar-making. The variety of artists featured at The Long Road highlights the greatest strength of country music: its diversity. This evidence suggests that the UK’s most rapidly growing genre shows no signs of slowing down.
They’re flourishing, baby, flourishing: Wolf Alice’s fourth album ‘The Clearing’ signifies a daring new phase of development and transformation for the English group, merging punk influences with expansive alt-rock soundscapes, cinematic endings, and a fresh lyrical closeness.
Lindsey Rose Black’s "CUNT HONEY" is a playful and cathartic country-pop break-up anthem—a sparkly reclamation of femininity, queerness, and Southern heritage that confidently embraces attitude while critiquing purity culture.
By embracing change and stepping outside her comfort zone, Billie Marten’s fifth album, which focuses on collaboration, stands as her most assured work to date.
JADE, Chloe Qisha, and the last-minute addition FKA twigs were significant highlights at the sold-out event in Victoria Park on Saturday.
After a breakout year characterized by international tours, headline performances, and remixing Pet Shop Boys, I. JORDAN returns with a fresh release titled ‘Without’.
Indie Christmas is in full effect, thanks to artists like Bombay Bicycle Club, CMAT, The Cribs, and others, making for an unforgettable final night of the festival.
Artists such as Midland, Mackenzie Carpenter, Alana Springsteen, and others shone brightly at this year's larger edition of the country, Americana, and blues festival.