AN UNFORGETTABLE CELEBRATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC IN ALL ITS FORMS, AS OVER 40,000 FANS CAME TOGETHER ACROSS THE WEEKEND

The UK country music community came together in true stetson style this weekend, as over 40,000 fans across the weekend descended on the stunning grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire for The Long Road Festival. Across four unforgettable days, festival-goers celebrated the very best of country, roots and Americana music, alongside great food, classic cars, community and everything that makes the country scene so special.

From legendary and international stars to the very best homegrown talent, The Long Road once again celebrated the incredible breadth of country music. From traditional sounds and Americana to rock, folk, funk and contemporary country, the festival proved that there truly is a place for everyone at The Long Road.

Despite the unpredictable British weather, festival-goers were determined to make the most of every magical moment. Fans sang in the rain, danced in the sunshine and forged new friendships beneath rainbows. As Dolly Parton famously said, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” And the Long Road crowd certainly embraced that spirit, making the most of every twist and turn the weekend had to offer.

Across the weekend festival goers and artists alike paid tribute to the late Country music legend Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away just days before the event. With a specially dedicated Dolly Forever Wall, performers and festival attendees wrote down personal messages, reminiscing on her incredible legacy and how she paved the way for every country artist that came after her. 

The Long Road Festival’s Creative Director, Baylen Leonard, said: “This year’s Long Road was a fantastic celebration of the spirit and community at the heart of country music. Offering a welcoming and inclusive environment, it’s a place where everyone can feel accepted, connected and part of something special. There’s a real sense of coming home at The Long Road, and we want everyone who joins us to feel that the festival is a place where they can truly be themselves. As we continue to grow, we look forward to welcoming new faces, whilst seeing familiar ones return year after year.”

Friday got the weekend off to a flying start with The Shires headlining and delivering a triumphant performance on the glittering Rhinestone Stage. The duo’s continued growth is perfectly symbolic of the extraordinary rise of country music in the UK, and the strength of the homegrown scene who have performed at The Long Road in years gone by, and for many years to come. Steve Earle brought a set full of classics, packed with the storytelling that has made him such an influential figure in country and Americana. The 502s were a standout of the day, bringing huge energy and infectious enthusiasm to the stage, Harleymoon Kemp brought queen behaviour to The Interstate, and our “pocket-sized cowgirl” Chanel Yates, made a big impression with her vivacious presence.

Saturday saw iconic headliner Ronnie Wood open his set with a Rolling Stones classic ‘It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It)’, followed by a cover of Willie Nelson’s ‘On The Road Again’, before introducing Imelda May onto the stage for a series of show-stopping songs. The pair also came together for a particularly special moment, performing ‘9 to 5’ as a tribute to Dolly Parton. Josh Ross stole the show on the main stage with his effortless charm, while First Time Flyers triumphantly performed on the main stage, having performed on all other stages at The Long Road in previous years. Australia’s Hayley Jensen opened The Interstate Stage, bringing powerful vocals and show-stopping outfits, whilst Twinnie proved herself a ‘Wild One’, performing her new single and tracks from her upcoming new album. Jason and The High Heat brought a welcome dose of funk and groove, whilst Dawson Anderson drew a big crowd on the beautiful Front Porch.

Sunday drew the festival to an unforgettable close. Maren Morris delivered her UK-exclusive set, treating the crowd to some of her biggest and best-loved songs, including ‘The Middle’, ‘Bones’ and ‘My Church’. It was a truly special moment when Emmylou Harris took to the stage for the final UK show of her European farewell tour. A close friend and musical collaborator of Dolly Parton, Harris was perhaps the most fitting artist imaginable to pay tribute to Dolly. Performing ‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’, her original song with Dolly first released back in 1999, she delivered a poignant and deeply personal tribute to someone she knew so well, holding the audience in the palm of her hand as the beautiful Stanford Hall was illuminated in pink. Ryan and Rory brought plenty of energy to the stage, The Brothers Comatose added their distinctive folk sound to the bill, and Lily Fitts captivated audiences with her effortless silky vocals. 

The festival’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of country talent continued with the Homegrown Country Music Contest, hosted by Janet Devlin, providing a platform for emerging UK artists and celebrating the incredible depth of talent within the British country scene. This year’s winner Josh Beer stole hearts and won over the judges amongst some tough competition. Following his win at last year’s contest, Liam Price graced the Rhinestone stage this year, proving himself a force in the next wave of UK rising country stars.

Across the weekend, fans enjoyed an incredible array of immersive experiences across the site, including the spectacular car & bike show, Smoke & Fire BBQ food experience, food eating competitions and sold-out sittings at the Red Dog Saloon on-site restaurant. From 1am at the afterparty to 11am crafts and line dancing at The Front Porch, The Long Road embraced connection, conversation, celebration and creativity. Families, pets, lifelong friends, newcomers to country and dedicated fans all came together in unison to create memories that will last a lifetime.

As The Long Road 2026 draws to a close, we cannot wait to welcome you in 2027!

Earlybird tickets for the 2027 edition (26th-29th August) go on sale this Thursday 3rd September at 9:30am. 

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