Highways Festival has confirmed the final wave of artists set to appear at London’s Royal Albert Hall from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May 2026, completing a line-up that reinforces the event’s status as the UK’s definitive country and Americana gathering. With headliners Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce and Emmylou Harris already announced, the newly revealed names add further depth across the festival’s main Auditorium shows, Songwriters Round, Official After Parties and the family-friendly Country for Kids programme, transforming the Hall into a fully immersive, multi-generational celebration of the genre.
Among the standout additions to the main Auditorium bill is Nashville duo Tigirlily Gold, who will take the stage on Saturday 16 May alongside Carly Pearce and Corey Kent. Known for their contemporary country sound and sharp, confident songwriting, Tigirlily Gold continue Highways’ tradition of spotlighting rising US talent on one of the world’s most prestigious stages. Their inclusion reflects the festival’s commitment to balancing established stars with artists shaping the future of country music.
The festival’s much-loved Songwriters Round also expands with a compelling new line-up. Hosted by Absolute Radio Country’s Ben Earle, the Saturday afternoon session will feature Bec O’Malley, Jack Van Cleaf, Kaitlin Butts and Tigirlily Gold. Held in an intimate setting within the Royal Albert Hall, the Songwriters Round strips songs back to their core, inviting audiences into the stories, influences and moments that shaped them. The event has already sold out, underlining the appetite for this closer, more conversational side of the festival experience.
When the main Auditorium lights go down, Highways shifts gears but not energy. DJ Rattlesnake Johnny returns to host the Official After Parties on Friday and Saturday nights in the Elgar Room, delivering late-night country favourites and dancefloor classics that keep the atmosphere buzzing long after the final encore. These after-hours sessions have become a defining part of the Highways weekend, offering fans a chance to extend the celebration deep into the night.
Sunday morning brings a change of pace with the return of Country for Kids, Highways’ family-focused event designed to introduce younger audiences to country music. This year, First Time Flyers will lead the interactive session, combining live performance with playful participation to create an engaging introduction to the genre for children aged four to eleven, while remaining welcoming to all ages. It’s a reminder that Highways isn’t just about heritage and headliners, but about nurturing the next generation of fans.
Across the weekend, broadcaster and tastemaker Baylen Leonard returns as host of the main Auditorium, guiding audiences through a programme that spans modern country, Americana and timeless songwriting traditions. His presence provides continuity and context, helping frame the festival as both a celebration of where country music is now and where it has come from.
With its full line-up now revealed, Highways Festival 2026 promises three days that move seamlessly from iconic headline performances to intimate songwriting sessions, late-night parties and family-friendly mornings. Set within the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall, the festival continues to carve out a unique space in the UK music calendar, where country and Americana aren’t just genres, but a shared experience stretching from afternoon storytelling to after-midnight dancing. Tickets on sale here.
