Stanford Hall, August 22-22, 2025 – The Long Road Festival 2025 review

From sunshine singalongs to late-night line dancing, The Long Road Festival 2025 promised and delivered three days of country and Americana spirit with a British twist. With standout performances from Rissi Palmer, Alana Springsteen, Kezia Gill and Will Varley, plus dogs in cowboy hats and bandanas, family-friendly fun, and an atmosphere built on community, this year’s edition proved why Long Road remains a highlight for country music fans in the UK. Here’s our full review of the music and moments of the weekend.

The Long Road Festival 2025 review: Day 1 – Friday, August 22, 2025

1. Two Ways Home

The tagline on The Long Road Festival’s extremely Instagrammable sign was ‘Welcome Home Old Friend.’

This concept was made manifest immediately when the first band we saw was our old friends Two Ways Home. They played to the crowd with a cover of Kip Moore’s Beer Money and a Blackberry Smoke inspired new song.

The crowd responded in country-appropriate fashion: “yes for the line dancing!” Isabella Mariee exclaimed.

Always strong on harmonies, the duo sounded great together on Polaroid Kids. After You’re Still The One, they dropped one of their own classics, Push and Pull.

“Apologies if anyone’s seen us before, they will know these lyrics!” – Isabella Mariee

” You could go home two ways, drunk or sober. That’s the country reason for our name!” – Two Ways Home

The Front Porch stage not only lived up to it’s name in theming, it also sat on a crossroad, especially for people returning from the main stage: “We’ll get an influx of people, Lewis!” Izzy exclaimed.

As ever, Two Ways Home’s branding game was hot, so there’s no risk that newcomers wouldn’t be able to tell who they were.

As well as branding everything on display (Cricut ought to sponsor these two), the merch game was on fire too. Socks, caps, umbrellas don’t just make a nice change from the de rigueur black t-shirt, they’re also pretty useful at a festival when the weather can change at any time.

“If any of your kids have been sick, you can come and get a new t-shirt for them!” – Isabella Mariee

2. Drake Milligan

‘The Long Road’ might have something to do with the winding country roads heading to the estate that the festival is held on each year.

However, memories from the inaugural year came flooding back – it’s a surprisingly long road to the main stage from the rest of the site. Great for noise insulation but not great when it’s your second festival of the day! Nonetheless, it was time to shuffle over because Long Road’s first headliner of 2025 was ready to take the stage.

TV talent show contestants can find it hard to make it, but this America’s Got Talent finalist has easily broken that curse.

Drake Milligan thanked the festival organisers and acknowledged the scale of the night: “I’ve always wanted to play it, but I never thought I’d be headlining at this quickly!”

Milligan built up a reputation portraying Elvis on film and TV, and he’s certainly incorporated Presley moves, expressions and vocal mannerisms into his own performance.

Similarly, he’s got the talent to make it seem like he’s performing to everybody in the crowd, so he’s absolutely ready for such big stages.

The crowd responded in kind, singing along to Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ and dancing to his retro style honky-tonk stylings especially, of course, Slow Dancin’ To A Fast Song.

Let’s face it, with lyrics like “your kiss tastes like whiskey and I’m a drinker,” this set was always going to go down well with the country crowd!

3. Madalisto Band

Back to The Front Porch stage, and it was already clear that the festival was more diverse than the first year.

Now recognising the full heritage country and Americana music, Madalisto Band from Malawi provided a roots counterpoint to the slick main stage antics.

Even those not familiar with the different style of music enjoyed it in a roundabout way. One country lovin’ festival goer yelled “it’s the same song for about half an hour.” Although wrong about the increasing complexity of the music, he’d meant it as a compliment as he and his friends danced the night away buoyed on by the strong rhythms and beats.

4. Lil’ Nashville DJ set

We were drawn like moths to the lights of The Hitching Post. The theming of this festival was always good, with The Front Porch stage always being top class, but still the development was clear to see. The brightness and scale of this hay-lined barn made it compelling for 30 people to stay for a chill out karaoke-style line dance to a Drake Milligan song even while Drake Milligan was playing on the main stage!

Karaoke-style? Yes, members of the crowd got up on the stage to showcase and lead others in the dance. There was such respect for the men who danced to Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s I Had Some Help that the DJ, Lil Nashville, spun Footloose for an 80s/country mashup to reprise their dancing skill.

Next, we took a walk through the woods for another new-to-us excellently themed stage. Shout out to the crew and organisers for the little touches, including quiet areas in the woods where you’d have no idea that there’s a festival going on all around you or that there’s a fairground just beyond the tree line.

‘Three chords and the truth’ was the unofficial tagline of the festival and that sentiment was expressed by one festival goer as he headed back into the fray: “I may not remember the words but I remember the feeling.”

5. Jess And The Bandits

Unexpectedly, that was echoed by Jess and The Bandits on stage too: “Who knows what we’re playing? We never know! What are we talking about right now?!”

Hooting and hollering suggested that the crowd were enjoying the chaotic mix of originals and covers.

“You should know it and if you don’t, you will in a minute” Jessica Clemmons promised as she led the band into Nitty Gritty.

We took a slow walk past the fairground attractions, taking in how much people were finding enjoyment even away from the performance stages as a small group did the twist to the old-school country music blaring from the big wheel.

We dipped into The Hitching Post once more to enjoy the odd receiving spectacle of a handful of people smoothly crafting a line dance suitable to whatever song came on the PA system and then turned in for the night.

The Long Road Festival 2025 review: Day 2 – Saturday, August 23, 2025

6. Wells Ferrari

If ever in doubt about where to start a day at The Long Road Festival, you can’t go wrong with The Front Porch stage. Simply a great place to be on a summer’s day.

Will Wells explained “we were both just going through it and we felt like we weren’t really doing what we wanted to do.” This resulted in he and Mikey Ferrari writing their first song together, Goldmine, about wasted potential. Their male harmonies spread far and wide across the site

7. Jake O’Neill

Over on the Rhinestone stage, Jake O’Neill talked about the perils of co-writing a song online: “I had the worst Wi-Fi in the world so you can give the verdict whether it’s good or not.”

8. Gareth

Gareth (no last name needed) introduced his set with a flight announcement style sample explaining that he’s from Northern Ireland. This understated performance focusing on strong vocals would go down well with fans of Chris Stapleton, but Gareth’s doing just fine cultivating fans of his own – tens of millions have streamed and watched his performances already.

Gareth played one of the many covers of Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris heard on site over the weekend. [Since when is that a country song?]

9. Fancy Hagood

Jake Hagood, who performs under his nickname Fancy Hagood, was as much a comedian as a musician. He entertained the crowd with dry wit comparisons of what it’s like to be a performer in America: “you’re attentive and listening? I wouldn’t know what that was like!” He carried on the stand-up routine as the crowd lapped it up: “do y’all have Hinge here? I don’t know why I asked that. I know you do ’cause I’m still in it!”

He recognised that he was doing quite a few breakup songs and there was talk about ‘that’ break up again, noting “you can’t write a song about a bunch of different people ’cause you start sounding like a ho!” Ever Really Ready was delivered with a traditional drawl and a modern beat.

10. Elles Bailey

Elles Bailey – who pops up at blues, Americana and country events – injected a bit of blues into what had to this point been largely a Nashville country vibe on the main stage: “Long Road, enjoy the ride!”

11. Chris Linton

Back at The Front Porch stage, Chris Linton played Kentucky Home – a dose of honky tonk rock for those who preferred their sound a little more traditional.

12. Bonnie Dobson and The Hanging Stars

Through the hidden woodland glade, at Buddy’s Good Time Bar, we were given something quite different. 84-year-old Bonnie Dobson teamed up with UK Americana mainstays The Hanging Stars to reinvigorate Dobson’s songs from the Sixties and Seventies. Evidently it wasn’t to everyone’s tastes because it didn’t have they upbeat summer vibe and drawl vocals of the country music playing elsewhere at the same time. Those who stayed were treated to a spellbinding rendition of her hit Morning Dew, and fascinating stories of life in Los Angeles back in the day.

“I’m 100 minus 16 and look at the guys I’m playing with,” Dobson exclaimed. She wasn’t going to let them get away with anything though; when Rich swore – “honestly, it’s fucking beautiful” getting to hear Dobson’s iconic voice from that vantage point – she shot him a look your grandmother would have been proud of and gently admonished “adjectives!”

Overall, the atmosphere combined Judas-era Dylan in 1965 and Laurel Canyon in the early 1970s.

It was perhaps a leftfield booking for a festival where you’re more likely to hear quotes like “I’m anticipating these being my go to cowboy boots,” but a very welcome addition if you ask us.

13. Gill Landry

Next up on the same stage, Gill Landry – a former member of Old Crowd Medicine Show – played a kind of Western noir Americana bluegrass, an authentic blend that rewarded the listening crowd.

14. Denitia

Singing I Don’t Get High, we were introduced to Denitia as part of the Color Me Country collective that’s now in its fourth year of programming a stage at The Long Road Festival.

“I’m proud of working hard but we’re just hoping for better and easier tomorrow.” – Denitia

Denitia had serious versatility, going from a plaintive number straight into Getting Over It, a jaunty 9 to 5 style song.

15. Evan Horner (with Charles Wesley Godwin)

Evan Horner delivered a heartfelt story song, Mr Meyers, giving chills with with lyrics like: “I think my doctor is a liar/ I’ve got something ’cause all I ever feel is pain/I couldn’t fathom life without you/Now I’m living it/It’s worse than I thought.”

The crowd erupted when his duet partner, Charles Wesley Godwin, admitted that they’ve never done that searing song together live before.

Following on the theme from his predecessor on the stage who had discussed Hinge, one of the amazing musicians here was introduced: “If you’re single in the crowd, make sure to hit him up!”

When we dipped back into the Interstate stage later on during the Evan Horner set, people were roaring like it was a main stage performance. Enclosed in this encompassing canvas, it also felt like they were at a club show during the day.

There was more comedy banter with this performance: “Have you guys ever thrown up on the pavement before well that’s embarrassing for all of you!”

Importantly, he was talking and singing about a different type of masculinity: “My name is Evan Horner and I don’t know shit about cars.” The crowd went wild for Idk Shit About Cars. As he said his goodbyes, old and new fans were baying for more. No encore was possible because it was a festival, so he did a backflip instead!

16. Lil’ Nashville and the Country Roses’ Barn Dance

The Hitching Post barn dance was in full swing. This line dancing workshop was filled with concentration and laughter. “Thank you for sticking around for another difficult dance with me,” said Lil’ Nashville. You could tell people were entertained and impressed when they queued to take photos with the line dancing teacher.

17. David Unlayao 

David Unlayao – ‘The Filipino Cowboy’ – was another of the Color Me Country crowd. He made the absolute most of performing to a large audience away from home, stopping for selfies all afternoon and introducing people to his proud parents who were thrilled at their boy’s well-deserved rising star status.

18. The Rockingbirds

Buddy’s Good Time Bar was an Americana stage on Saturday as it was the Loose Music takeover venue.

Taciturn UK Americana old-timers The Rockingbirds nonetheless had one of the classic closing lines of the festival: “thank you, we’re The Rockingbirds, buy my book!”

19. Rissi Palmer

Rissi Palmer curated the Color Me Country takeover but, having introduced everybody else, she realised: “I didn’t write anything to introduce myself!”

She gave much needed props to the musicians. She explained how the concept had come about for her to choose an array of Black and Latinx artists to perform over an afternoon and her band would be the house band for everyone; “OK, so look, you’re going to be on stage for five hours!” Absolutely sterling work! Palmer also praised the “den of wives” in the front row.

If The Rockingbirds had one at the top exit lines of the festival, Palmer came in strong with the one of the best intros: “I’m going to give you the last bit of energy I got, then I’m going to get some fries with some chicken on top, then I’m going to go to bed!”

Given that country music is the genre that gave us the cancelling of the then-Dixie Chicks‘ career over criticising America while in the UK, Palmer had no qualms in saying: “I’m from Durham, North Carolina, which is in the United States – help!!”

If the political undertone wasn’t clear enough for y’all, she made it explicit, saying that when Michael Brown was killed “quote “they tried to put us down but they didn’t know that we were seeds…do you want to be a seed of chaos?… However the least of us is doing is how all of us are doing.”

The song Seeds exhorted listeners “don’t believe what you’ve been sold…the battle is now/we are the army.”

” So what you’re saying is we can all come stay with y’all when it all goes down at home?” – Rissi Palmer

It’s no secret that country music has a conservative reputation and a number of t-shirt and hat slogans in the crowd indicated that a particularly American brand of conservatism had at least in part migrated over here too. So respect to Palmer and the festival bookers for fearlessly sharing what some there might have incorrectly decried as woke.

The performance was joyful despite the realism, and there was humour and light-heartedness throughout, such as when Palmer noted her newly single status and said: “Let’s give it up for all the single people. Oh, OK, there’s only five of us?!”

When we returned to this stage (it was hard to stay away), Palmer was recognising opposition head on, speaking to ‘stubborn people’ when she said: “I am still here and I ain’t going nowhere!”

“I’m going to take you to church we’re going to have a little revival here we go!” – Rissi Palmer

One festival goer was so moved by the quality of the performance that they threw a shoe as a compliment; a variant of a standing ovation.

20. Charles Wesley Godwin

Returning to The Interstate stage for his own set, Charles Wesley Godwin had an in-built crowd having won everybody over performing with Evan Horner. It was quite evident that his patented brand of stompy-tonk had a dedicated fanbase of its own too.

21. Midland

We passed somebody exhaling a groan of such relief upon taking off their new cowboy boots. It looked like they were going to be walking barefoot towards the main stage well in advance of the headline performance.

That was a good call – the field was absolutely packed. Midland was clearly the major draw of this festival.

“Making music that moves us… this might be the most beautiful setting we’ve ever played music on” – Midland

This was an undeniably polished and time-tested performance. Even the big screen footage was Midland branded! Their retro country look and sound made it seem like they’d been on the scene much longer than 11 years.

22. Danny and the Champions of the World

How you doing? Everyone all right? – Danny George Wilson

Headlining the Loose Music takeover, Danny and The Champions of The World entranced those in the know that had made it through the woods. The stage came alive at night like a roadhouse bar.

The band’s 2025 festival set incorporated new songs from the album You Are Not A Stranger Here as well as Champs favourites like These Days and (Never Stop Building) That Old Space Rocket.

Although it is billed as a country and Americana festival, aesthetically and programming-wise it does tend to skew towards country. Nonetheless, there was a packed crowd here who knew all the words to singalong with this pioneering UK Americana band.

23. First Time Flyers

“Shall we be best friends forever?” – First Time Flyers

We’ve said before that The Front Porch stage is the stand out venue of this festival. We’ll go one further and say that headlining the stage on a Saturday could be the slot of the festival for an up-and-coming band. If you had an early afternoon slot on the main stage, those ensconced in the lawn chairs might feel you have something to prove to them while they’re tired out by the hot sun and their increasing tally of beers or ciders. Whereas here, on a crisp night in a wide field, everyone gets a good view and you get the chance to unexpectedly impress. Plus, when the main band is over, you get an influx of thousands to stop in their tracks when they realise that their night isn’t over yet after all.

First Time Flyers saw this opportunity and absolutely nailed it. If you’ve seen the constituent parts – Jake Morrell, Tim Prottey-Jones, Poppy Fardell and Vicki Manser – in their previous bands or solo incarnations, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Manser’s West End theatre background shone as she performed to the back of the field as much as the fervent fans up front: “Scream it for me…so that Midland can hear us!”

Prottey Jones and Morrell kept up a comedic double-act throughout: “We enjoyed eight hours of aggressive sex,” quickly clarifying that they didn’t mean personally or together, but because their accommodation was between two brothels.

As for the music, like other emerging artists at the festival they played a few covers, but a bit more cleverly – medleying them with their own songs. Originals were greeted even more eagerly by their fans, who were already word perfect to the brand new single, Primadonna.

“We want every single one of you on this journey with us for the rest of our lives” – First Time Flyers

24. Everette After Party

We have to admit that when we saw artists like Janet Devlin listed twice on The Long Road line-up poster, we feared there’d been an unfortunate typo. We were pleased to discover that it was instead because several bands were booked to play to slots on different stages. We love this idea as it mitigates clashes and gives big or new fans of the artist a second chance to see their (new) favourites in a different setting.

Since Everette impressed so much playing multiple stages in 2022, they were invited back to lead the key Saturday night post-Midland after party slot on the Interstate stage. They broke out their single Dang The Whisky to keep the party going late into the night.

25. Josh Mitcham

This was another success story of The Long Road’s policy of booking artists for multiple stages because otherwise we would have missed what ended up being one of the most entertaining artists of the festival.

Arriving at his set mid-story, and knowing that Mitcham had just played the VIP stage, “that poor bloke, he doesn’t know I was about to fuck him up” is certainly not what we expected to hear! Judging from Mitcham’s entertaining and honest soliloquies throughout this set on The Front Porch stage, that guy might have escaped a beating but might not have escaped being immortalised in songs and stories in the future.

“This feels like home right here!” – Josh Mitcham

Country music is full of songs valorising small towns and their inhabitants. Mitcham took the opposite view: “I’m just from some itty, bitty town. The people in Kentucky are assholes and they don’t come to my shows.” Whether tongue-in-cheek or real contempt, he had a strong argument about how you can’t be famous in your hometown where they remember your childhood antics, dropping lyrics like “it’s hard to be someone in the middle of nowhere.” He knew that townsfolk seeing his ‘Facepage’ would be perplexed: “what the hell’s Josh doing in England? They have no idea!”

Mitcham kept the crowd laughing with his easygoing manner and strong songs. There clearly was a ‘three chords and the truth’ impulse behind his prioritisation of connection and conversation: “It’s a risk to put yourself out there and play songs for people.”

Mitcham was loving his time here: “The people of England have been so wonderful to me. You all don’t have the same traps, and all of the categories, and the genre limitations that Americans do. Listen, I’m one of them too, we’re a bunch of assholes, you guys are fantastic. Music is either good or it’s not…you’re real honest about it.”

That honesty hit straight away when, straight after that heartfelt moment, some tin-hearted folks yelled “play a song” and “play some Mellencamp.” No need to do that, of course, for Mitcham had a song of his own about gravy instead. The American kind, which is more like white sauce that goes with ‘biscuits,’ which are kind of like a savoury scone (in case you’re were confused as to why Southerners were enjoying Digestives and Bisto for breakfast).

“They were lovely people and [English breakfast] is wonderful but I’m not eating black pudding anymore!” – Josh Mitcham

“This is the perfect day for a festival. Stages like this make it special for people like me.” – Josh Mitcham

26. Country Karaoke

Despite the late hour, the crowds were immense for karaoke at Buddy’s Good Time Bar.

Judging from the quality of singing, we may have had some ringers of emerging artists showcasing their talents. None was introduced more aptly than: “Glen Campbell, get yourself up to the stage!”

Not everyone was a pro, though. Jack was full of nerves when he was volunteered to duet to Need You Now. The crowd welcomed him warmly and helped him sing it home.

The Long Road Festival 2025 review: Sunday, August 24, 2025

27. Steady Habits

Although it was early for musicians to be up and about at a festival, an artist’s artist was taking the stage. Steady Habits had the full package: powerful songs, tight musicianship, and ultimate honesty. Throughout the set, the musicians in the crowd were whispering in disbelief about just how good Sean Duggan was.

Good, and resolute. Duggan explained: “As queer adults, we’re constantly trying to unlearn the things we thought we were supposed to be.” He described the formative experience of uncharacteristic bravery on taking a scrapbook of photos of dresses stolen from catalogues into show-and-tell at school.

Deviate was dedicated to anyone who’s ever felt different and it had soul-cutting lyrics such as “a funny word I heard in the schoolyard/my greatest fear had a name… they always speak with a kindness intention thinking somehow I’ve got to change… I’m more than just a limp wrist.”

Sure, blue jeans and pick-up trucks must be the lived experience of some country singers, but this was a completely different level of truth and authenticity.

The observational minutiae in the words hits differently, like “there’s a picture of your boyfriend in a popsicle frame.” The song Garden State was particularly memorable, followed up by songs reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Gin Blossoms.

28. Robbie Cavanagh

It was an early set on the Buddy’s Good Time Bar stage but Robbie Cavanagh came correct with a Nudie suit-style look, singing I Almost Loved You Back.

He jokingly referred to the early time slot, saying last night “I could see people saying I’d love to dance to that but I need to reserve a bit of energy because Robert Cavanagh is playing at 12:30 PM.”

29. Jam Session at The Showground Stage

There’s a picturesque offshoot part of The Long Road Festival that has a small classic car showground and it’s own stage. We passed by during the jam session where the performer was giving it everything as if they were on a much better stage performing to a bigger crowd. Promising.

30. Halle Kearns

Anyone wanting to keep an eye on Rhinestone stage but wanted to avoid the crowds could stick to the showground and gaze across the water to watch the performance on the big screen. Here, Halle Kearns performed Homemade Margaritas with the fancy lyric “kitchen cabinet libations.”

31. Kellie Loder

Kellie Loder knew we had a different phrase for ‘yard sale’ but wasn’t expecting the answer: “Car boots? You don’t ever do it in your yard or in your garage?!”

They explained that after growing tired of their music options on a long road trip, they bought an Elton John CD, only to discover it only had three songs: “I never felt so ripped off at a yard sale!” This experience inspired Drive to Nowhere.

32. Evan Bartels

“You guys showed up early and filled out the tent. God bless you!… I’m really tickled to be here.” – Evan Bartels

Understandably though, his mind was partly on the next gig too; a headlining show at London’s St Pancras Old Church in a few day’s time: “even if you don’t like my music, come down for some architecture, it will be a great time!”

33. The Hitching Post Barn Dance

We’ve talked about a strain of conservatism in country music and culture – we didn’t expect this to be undercut at a barn dance, of all places: “Reach your left arm towards your new man…the ladies are progressing around the dance.”

34. Alan Fletcher’s Talent Show

One of the positive aspects of The Long Road Festival is that one of the main curators is a visible presence on-site, taking in and enjoying the music. Baylen Leonard has a distinguished radio career and is now recognised as a genre expert on Absolute Radio Country.

He’s clearly also an expert in absolute legends as he introduced Alan Fletcher AKA Dr Karl Kennedy from Neighbours: “he has been part of most of our lives.”

Fletcher, who is a musician with Americana and country influences himself, introduced the inaugural talent show within unenviable prizes.

The winner would be awarded a slot at Long Road Festival 2026, a recording session courtesy of Snakefarm Records, brand building workshops with Lime Tree Music PR, AND a slot at CMA Fest in Nashville plus two tickets to the legendary event.

The judging panel was made-up of Baylen Leonard, Luke Roberts from Lime Tree, Mark “I have the privilege of working Bob Harris from behind” Hagan and Gillian Stanwick, another Long Road creative curator. Each act had 10 minutes to impress this industry panel.

The finalists were reassured that everyone was a winner, having been shortlisted down to six acts from 400 and having already performed to a packed crowd at a major festival.

Nevertheless, there had to be one overall winner.

After an obligatory dramatic pause, Liam Price was announced. This was a crowd favourite choice.

Price looked stunned and emotional but showed professionalism already with an unplanned, stripped back performance of Little Star of August, dedicated to his daughter.

The intensity of the crowd singalong boded well for future success on bigger stages.

35. Nolan Taylor

Nolan Taylor’s honesty was off the charts: “If you ever had a mother like my mother, I’m very sorry for that.”

With searing lyrics like “I’ve cut you out of my life/you love me when you need a high,” the Interstate stage was undeniably the high watermark for soaring sounds and authentic narratives.

36. Will Varley

“Tim and I spent a night in a Premier Inn in Hemel Hempstead and it’s probably the most rock’n’roll nights of our lives.” That was quite a statement from Will Varley because Tim looked pretty damn rock and roll by default.

Seven Days was razor-sharp, with the cut through line of the festival: “We are here/this is happening now.”

“My daughter started listening to my music recently…’Daddy, your music is really sad.’

So, this is the happy song for my daughter that hopefully she doesn’t have therapy in the future.

‘Don’t you worry’ – a nice upbeat line for seven-year old!

“Don’t you worry/I’ll be home before the world ends.”

– Will Varley

Varley has to get the award for the most patience and perseverance as he sang to an intense front row of two people well ahead of the rest of the sizable crowd a much more relaxed distance away.

” This really beats the Premier Inn Hemel Hempstead” – Will Varley

Incredibly, given the recognisability of his rich voice after we’ve been away from the scene for a hot minute and thinking this feels like home, Varley explained that he’d lost his voice for six months. The size of the Long Road crowd and the warmth of their welcome clearly meant something to him.

” Whatever happens with the machines and shit, they can never recreate this.”

– Will Varley

You can never be sure of an artist’s fans being at a festival when they’re not on the main stage and especially when they don’t obviously fit into either of the event’s genres. However, Seize The Night, one of Varley’s most recognisable and effective songs had a passionate singalong from the front rows (the intense one and the more numerous lawn one).

Still, he was pragmatic and realised that a lot of the crowd would be seeing him for the first time: “Will Varley kind of rhymes with Bob Marley, That’s how I remember it!”

To close out a relaxed but spellbinding set, King For A King was meaningful in spine-chilling way, as per usual.

37. Color Me Country

Once again, respect to the Long Road organisers for correcting an early lack. Not only did the Color Me Country collective get a day of The Front Porch stage slots, they then got a showcase on the main stage too, Revival Tour style. This initiative stemmed from a popular radio show on Apple Music Country called Color Me Country Radio. After four successful years, Palmer was still very grateful for this opportunity: “Every year we have a ball and y’all show out!”

Radio led directly to the next performance happening. Palmer explained that “I heard him at 3:00 am” and she knew then that she had to bring him to Long Road. Chris Linton’s performance of Kentucky Home was even more impassioned on this large stage.

Palmer always makes sure to include a UK artist or, in this case, a UK-based artist because, as Ben Jordan explained, “don’t let my Cornish accent fool you, I’m actually from Virginia!”

We must, again, take the time to praise the house band. Top quality with an excellent musical director right here.

38. Chuck Ragan

We’re only sorry that we couldn’t stay longer but The Revival Tour and actual Chuck Ragan was playing The Front Porch. Ragan’s the real deal, from “up in the foothills of gold country.” In fact, he’s got a voice deep and loud enough to be heard there without much amplification from here in the UK.

Ragan introduced Bedroll Lullaby as “trying to connect with nature, trying to connect with something that puts the hair up on the back of our neck.” Next, Vagabond was dedicated to White Buffalo’s Jake Smith.

Then we got one of the most adorable moments of the entire festivals. This little sheriff heard Ragan playing harmonica and ran up to show off his own skills!

“The best stage that we’ve ever known (at the Long Road Festival)!” – Chuck Ragan

There was humour in that, but also quiet nod to the fact that it wouldn’t be the only stage that the duo would play on site. As far as we’re concerned the only thing better than one Chuck Ragan shows is two Chuck Ragan shows!

The Long Road’s community ethos extends to the eagerness of so many artists and fans to meet each other and have sincere conversations.

39. Kellie Loder

If we thought the sarcasm was strong during Loder’s first set, this was something else. Loder dissected the singalong to the previous song, saying those at The High Falootin’ VIP stage who sang “right down the middle, you probably sell insurance… the people who sell insurance can’t tell the difference… I want you to notice if you’re dead inside.”

Despite the sass to the VIPs, Loder went down well, especially when they made the set interactive. The crowd got to choose between I Want To Be Gross With You about the messy beginning of a relationship, or Suit and Tie. Unsurprisingly, the former won.

“You ever write a song and you don’t know what to say anymore, you just say ‘darling.’ It works every time. – Kellie Loder

40. Lil’ Nashville Goes Lainey!

Lainey Wilson was one of the success stories of Long Road, having booked her early in her career and now she’s an award-winning country superstar. The festival celebrated their Lainey heritage with a line dance workshop in her honour.

41. Alana Springsteen

Alana Springsteen jumped onto the big stage like she war born to play stages of this size.

Her ability to play to and involve the entire audience was quite the sight.

Most of the good ol’ boys who headlined Rhinestone stage came complete with cowboy hats so it was a nice change for Springsteen to make a point of valorising the humble snapback cap

Having worked extensively with Americans, we definitely are divided by a common culture and the way they order “two” drinks in a UK pub will never not be funny. Here, Springsteen and her bassist inadvertently demonstrated the wrong way and the right way.

As far as we can tell, Alana Springsteen was the ‘Lainey Wilson’ of this edition of Long Road, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see her headlining it herself one day.

42. Robbie Cavanagh

Robbie Cavanagh got his second set of the day; his turn on the fabled Front Porch stage.

The scale of the expansive crowd hit as he reminisced about an iconic Isle of Wight performance: “If, for a a moment, you can just imagine we’re Crowded House?” he asked.

43. White Buffalo

Fittingly for the high-octabe Interstate stage, White Buffalo bounded in and raised the roof with energy and volume. “Give it up for the fucking machine up here,” Jake Smith said about one his bandmates, but he was just as much describing himself. Sounding tonally very much like Chuck Ragan, he returned the favour in paying respects back to him: “He’s another old fucker like me!” The band’s high lonesome gothic rock generated instant interaction with raucous clapping and dancing.

44. Weber BBQ

Real talk: festivals aren’t easy when walking isn’t easy, but just as the last semblance of energy drained away, a miracle appeared. A free BBQ spread, and it wasn’t a mirage. We were too late for the delicious-looking meat but very gratefully hoovered up the fixings in a burrito which brought us back to life.

Taking a moment of calm to sit and watch the entertaining presentation, followed by unusually fascinating discussions about cuts of meat and how to cook them well. This was just what we needed so I wholeheartedly echo the call for Long Road to invite @mcbagleybbq, @whatmasiecooked and the crew back next year. It’s only fair to let GrillMaster Shane McBagley have his birthday fun while doing what he does best, isn’t it?

Absolutely loved the baller move of selling some of the barbecues at a discount so they didn’t have to take them home or deep clean them fully. We hear that one festival goer got an incredible deal on a piece not easily available in the UK.

45. Kezia Gill

Kezia Gill’s career has gone from strength to strength and the year started with an Americana Association UK award for Best Live Act. This set proved why. This seemed like the most packed tent of the festival. You know an artist have developed a strong following when they say “why don’t we kick off with my brand new single” and people as far as the eye could see knew the words already. “Don’t make me cry yet, Long Road!” she exclaimed.

We have to support an ally as Gill asked “if you turn around and there’s someone short in behind you, let them in. If you’re tall, get back, and if you’re wearing a Stetson, double get back!” No-one took any notice of this, being unwilling to give up their hard-earned spots, but we appreciate the impulse nonetheless!

Gill acknowledged Long Road’s support as she’d now played four years in a row including, intriguingly, “technically done the main stage by default.” Now she suspects her career will go even further because she’s signed a record deal with Snakefarm Records. She got deep about it: “I was really starting to think I wasn’t going to get a break in this industry.” Dead Ends and Detours was introduced to screams of delight.

What an absolute pro, playing to everyone in the sea of people, not just the hardcore fans in the front. When she was told she’d earned one extra song, Gill broke out into a rousing sing along performance of Sweet Caroline: “That is proof, ladies and gentlemen, that a girl from the pubs in Derby can make it!”

46. Chuck Ragan

With zero energy to walk anywhere, let alone down that long road to the main stage, we didn’t get to see how James Bay did in winning over the country crowd who’d been suspicious online about his suitability for the festival (rumour is that he did impress and change some minds).

Excellently for us, though, Chuck Ragan was due on same stage that Kezia Gill had left so there was really nowhere else we wanted to be anyway. This was a beautiful set; probably the best we’ve seen over dozens of iterations.

The sound was crystal clear, the stage theming really added to the atmosphere, and Ragan took requests like California Burritos, absolutely delighting the fans at the front.

47. The True Strays

We had no time to stay to enjoy The True Strays but they sounded sweet across the crisp night air.

48. Alana Springsteen Afterparty

Springsteen had so impressed on the main stage that we dragged our poorly legs, quite literally, over to Interstate for her after party. Although the set started out similar to her main stage performance earlier in the day, the setting and lighting gave it a very different night vibe.

When you meet someone on the front row who travelled from Europe to this festival specifically for this artist, you get a pretty good sense she’s going to make it big. All hail, Alana Sprinsgteen.

49. Country Karaoke

Day two of Country Karaoke saw fewer secret ringer singers and more potentially alcohol-fueled questionable confidence. As is the way with karaoke, that’s entertaining in itself.

Whatever their skill level, it’s great to give people the chance play perform on stage with a live band – and this live band was great.

50. The Hitching Post Line Dancing

We took the long way back by The Hitching Post to watch one last nostalgic round of line dancing and then bid our farewells to the festival.

So long, Long Road. Here’s to welcoming old friends home for years to come!

Bonus Photos!

Dogs of The Long Road Festival 2025

The Long Road community

The Long Road Festival 2026: Tickets on sale now!

If you want to join in the fun next year, the time to act is now to avoid disappointment! Several tiers of discounted super early bird tickets have already sold out, and specialist ticket types and add-ons like premium camping, live-in vehicle pitches, and dog tickets (for live-in vehicle or pitch and park ticketholders) sell out quickly. Check out your ticket options now, and don’t forget to get your car parking pass or railway station shuttle bus depending on your transportation preference.

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