The Long Road Festival returns on the August Bank Holiday weekend (22-24 August 2025), bringing that Nashville spirit to the idyllic British countryside at Stanford Hall, Leicestershire. Now in its sixth year, the festival has become a favourite among music fans who love the combination of storytelling, guitars, and a generous helping of Americana.
Headlining Sunday night this year is James Bay. His music might be rooted in pop, but he has always had Nashville in his veins. His debut, Chaos and the Calm, was rammed with Americana influences, so his first appearance at The Long Road feels more natural than it might at first seem. Recent collaborations with Noah Kahan, The Lumineers, and The Killers’ Brandon Flowers suggest his set will strike the right balance between well-loved hits and intriguing new directions.
Texas traditionalists Midland — a personal favourite — and breakout American star Drake Milligan are the other headliners, showing off the festival’s ongoing commitment to linking-up authentic country sounds with more mainstream acts.
And, as always with this festival, the depth of the line-up is the real highlight. Keep an ear out for Louisiana’s Gill Landry, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show, whose recent London-recorded album, Cinnamon Canyon Blues, blends classic Southern storytelling with some UK grit. We’ll also be keeping our eyes on rising Texan talent Denitia, Irish Nashville export Darren Kiely, and Filipino-American artist David Unlayao — who’s quietly redefining what contemporary country can sound like.
Beyond the stages — which this year increase to six — the festival thrives on its atmosphere. There are intimate songwriter rounds, laid-back late-night hangouts in the woods, and plenty of opportunities to catch new favourites before anyone else.
The Long Road is a genuinely laid-back festival that prioritises music, discovery, and authenticity over flash and frenzy. And that’s right up our street.
