The Long Road festival has quickly established itself as being one of the premier Country music and Americana festivals in not only the UK but Europe too. Set in the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, the festival is a wonderful mix of Country and Roots music across a number of stages. Add in a series of eclectic and interesting events (like car shows, dog shows and a number of food and drink showcases) and you've got an amazing couple of days on your hands. This year the festival is on Friday 23rd August through to Sunday 25th. You can get your tickets here.
The USP of the festival is not only the beautiful setting and the wide range of lifestyle experiences you can have but also in the music too. Long Road is also an eclectic mix of Americana, Folk, Blues and Country music featuring some of the most talented musicians from all over America and Europe. Because of that mix it can be tricky sometimes working out who you want to see across the various stages on offer during the three days so, given that we are a Country music platform, we've put forward a guide to help you get the best out of your festival in terms of pure Country music with a bit of Americana thrown in for good measure.
Friday 23rd August
4pm (interstate) Gangstagrass – one of the breakout stars from Long Road 2022, their set in the Interstate tent that year is the stuff of festival legend. This will be a scintillating and energetic start to your weekend.
5.30pm (Buddy’s Bar) Gina Larner – We saw Gina opening for Jade Helliwell on her tour late last year and she has a fun, slick, Pop/Country vibe that will work well in the intimate setting of Buddy's bar.
7.15pm (Front Porch) Bailey Tomkinson – From the south west of the UK, Bailey has been working relentlessly these past few years to build a name and a brand for herself. As the sun sets on the Front Porch stage we couldn't think of a more perfect way to spend your Friday night.
8.45pm (interstate) Chapel Hart – Making friends wherever they are in the UK you know that Chapel Hart are going to bring the harmonies and energy to the Interstate tent and this will be a 75 minute slice of Country joy.
Or
9pm (Buddy’s Good time Bar) The Round Up with Two Ways Home, Gasoline & Matches, Dolly Mavies, Joe Martin – If you'd prefer to round off your night in a more intimate setting with a songwriter's show then Two Ways Home are your guys. Funny, clever and talented, they are hosting a round in the intimate setting of Buddy's bar.
11.30pm (Interstate) Redferrin after show – one for all you late night Larrys who want a bit of Morgan Wallen adjacent fun in the Interstate tent before heading back to your tents and vans for a good night's sleep to rest and re-cooperate before a full day tomorrow. Yeah, right!
Saturday 24th August:
Dan Davidson (Interstate) 11.30am till 12.15pm – Canadian artist Davidson has a slick and catchy brand of Country leaning Pop/Rock. He'll be bringing some big tunes with him across the Atlantic and is someone who never fails to entertain
Morganway (Rhinestone) 12.30 to 1.15pm – One of the UK's finest Roots music bands, Morganway always give 100% and their brand of fiery Americana and Fleetwood Mac esque folk will light up the ‘big' stage for sure.
Adeem the Artist (Buddy’s) 1.15 to 2pm – A big decision here. Do you go and see the fabulous Adeem the Artist playing his brand of eclectic Country meets Americana in an intimate setting……..
or
Kristian Bush (Rhinestone) 1.30pm to 2.15pm – …… half of Sugarland playing a range of songs that Kristian has written and recorded throughout his whole career in his various guises? This is a tough one that you might just have to vibe on the day.
Kyle Daniel (Rhinestone) 2.45 to 3.30pm – A no-brainer here. Kyle has just released a new album and has a fierce and loyal following here in the UK after previous visits. He'll rock out on the big stage and entertain for sure in one of the most obvious ‘where you there?' moments of the festival.
Wyatt Flores (Rhinestone) 4pm to 4.45pm – Lots of interest in Wyatt at this festival as he makes his UK debut. He's been making a name for himself over the past year with a series of strong releases and after having to cancel an appearance at this year's C2C festival, all eyes will be on him on Saturday afternoon
Angie K (Front Porch) 5.30 to 6.15pm – What a lovely setting to see rising artist Angie K in. Intimate and warm, the Front Porch will suit this rising artist's music down to the ground. This will be another of those festival moments that you wish you'd have been at in a few years when she is playing much larger stages.
Red Clay Strays (interstate) 7.45 to 9pm – After 18 months of viral and media love, it's great to finally have this talented band playing here in the UK. Their brand of southern folk / rock with an edge of Country will go down a storm as they promote brand new album, ‘Made by These Moments.' You can finish this set and then pop across to the Rhinestone stage to catch the rest of Don Mclean's set and the inevitable rousing finish of ‘American Pie' too.
Sunday 25th August:
Kaitlin Butts (Interstate) 12.30 to 1.15pm – Start your Sunday with Kaitlin and her brand of earthy, retro Country music right out of Texas. She'll be promoting excellent new album ‘Roadrunner' which is full of fiddle and fun and it'll be the perfect start to your toe-tapping day!
Color Me Country (Rhinestone) 1.30 to 2.15pm – A staple of the festival on a Sunday now, the Color Me Country all stars will consist of a revolving door of artists who have played the festival across the three days and haven't flown home yet! Curated by the very talented Rissi Palmer and playing their own songs, covers, duets and more, this will be a fun set to get your musical juices flowing. Expect Tiera Kennedy, Brittney Spencer, RVSHVD and more.
Remember Monday (Rhinestone) 2.45 to 3.30pm – The UK's finest harmony trio, Remember Monday will bring their style and fiery personas to the Rhinestone stage and entertain all who are there. Be ready for a singalong and a laugh too as the girls tell their stories with sharp & sardonic style.
Brooke Eden (Rhinestone) 4pm to 4.45pm – Brooke is a frequent visitor to these shores now and she'll bring the sunshine no matter what the weather is on the Sunday afternoon. Slick, laid-back Pop/Country of the highest order is what you are in for here.
Dasha (interstate) 5.30 to 6.15pm – The tent is bound to be full for the arrival of Dasha and her viral hit of 2024 ‘Austin.' We saw Dasha at CMA Fest in Nashville in June and she isn't just a one-song wonder, so dust off your dancing boots and be prepared to be entertained for the whole 45 minutes.
Randall King (Rhinestone) 6.30 to 7.30pm – Probably the artist we are looking forward to seeing the most. Randall has been a regular visitor to the UK for about 18 months now and has built up a loyal following with his Texas meets Nashville brand of Country music. Like a young Garth out of Austin, Randall King will be an absolute show-stopper on the Rhinestone stage, come rain or shine.
Flatland Cavalry (Interstate) 7.30 to 8.45pm – This talented band impressed at the C2C festival a couple of years ago so it will be great to see them back in the UK in a more intimate setting. Musically excellent, Flatland Cavalry straddle that line between the Panhandle and Texas and their brand of earthy ballads and gritty folk tunes is sure to be a 2024 highlight.
Russell Dickerson (Rhinestone) 8.45 to 10.15pm – Closing down the whole festival with a trademark ‘RD Party,' Dickerson is bound to be an energetic and effervescent presence up on the big stage with his huge singalong anthems and tender, heartfelt love songs.
What a three days of Country music on the menu there! We hope you get the best out of the festival and that we have been some help in planning out your weekend. You can get your tickets here.
