Country Calling 2026: Discover the Brand-New Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage
For 2026, Country Calling isn't just getting bigger; it's getting better.
With the festival expanding to three days and introducing camping, there's plenty for fans to look forward to. One of the most exciting additions is the brand-new Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage, making its debut at Country Calling this August.
Combining a working Caffè Nero coffee shop with live music throughout the weekend, this new stage promises to be far more than somewhere to grab a drink. It's a place to slow down, discover incredible artists and experience another side of one of the UK's fastest-growing country music festivals.
While the main stage will naturally draw the biggest crowds, don't make the mistake of overlooking this one. Looking at the lineup, there's enough talent here to keep you entertained from the moment the gates open until the evening headline acts begin.
If you love discovering your next favourite artist before everyone else does, this is the stage for you.
Why the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage Could Be One of the Weekend's Highlights
One thing Country Calling has always done well is support the wider UK country community.
Rather than simply booking headline names, the festival continues to invest in emerging artists, singer-songwriters and independent musicians who are helping shape the future of British country and Americana.
The new Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage gives those artists another fantastic platform.
It also gives festival-goers a chance to experience performances in a more relaxed setting.
Whether you're stopping for your morning coffee, taking a break between main stage sets or simply exploring everything the festival has to offer, you'll find live music waiting throughout the day.
Some of the best festival memories come from artists you hadn't planned on watching.
That's exactly what this stage is built for.
With more than thirty acts performing across the weekend, there will always be something worth discovering.
Artists You Should Have On Your Radar
Picking favourites from a lineup this strong isn't easy, but there are several artists who consistently deliver outstanding live performances.
Outpost Drive
Few harmony acts have built as much momentum over the last couple of years.
Their songwriting, musicianship and effortless chemistry continue to win over audiences wherever they perform, making them one of the standout names on this stage.
Ryan Evans
A familiar face on the UK country circuit, Ryan Evans always brings plenty of energy to the stage.
His performances have become known for connecting with audiences, making him an excellent festival artist.
Brook Ellingworth
Whether performing solo or with a full band, Brook Ellingworth has become one of the most exciting young artists in UK country.
His powerful vocals and confident stage presence continue to impress festival audiences across the country.
Georgia Nevada
Georgia Nevada has steadily built a loyal following through excellent songwriting and polished live performances.
Expect a set packed with modern country influences rock sound and plenty of personality.
The Luke Flear
If you're looking for contemporary country with plenty of energy, The Luke Flear Band should be high on your list.
his live shows continue to go from strength to strength piano guitar he nails it all.
Rising Stars Worth Discovering
One of the biggest reasons to spend time at the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage is discovering artists before they become festival regulars.
This year's lineup includes some of the UK's brightest emerging talent.
Artists to keep an eye on include:
Beau Bennett
Brooke Law
Florence Sommerville
Henry Grace
Jack & Daisy
Jemma Johnson
Madeline Thorp
Marianne Leigh
Oli McCracken
Susannah Clegg
Taynee Lord
Many are already making waves across the UK festival circuit and are steadily building impressive fan bases.
Don't be surprised if several of these names appear much higher up festival posters in the coming years.
More Than Just Country
One of the strengths of Country Calling has always been its willingness to embrace the wider Americana family.
That continues on the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage.
Fans can expect everything from traditional country to Americana, blues, folk and Southern rock.
Acts such as Savannah Sings The Blues, Kaspar 'Berry' Rapkin & The Swamp Dogs, Samuel Ashton & The Instincts and The Phil Ashmore Band all bring something different to the weekend.
That variety means no two performances will feel the same.
It's a lineup designed to reward anyone prepared to explore.
A Stage Built Around Discovery
Looking across the complete lineup, it's difficult to find a weak spot.
Alongside the names already mentioned, festival-goers can also catch:
Blánid
Brian Collins
Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best
Fran Lusty
The Gleaves
Ivory Pablo & Friends
Jeff Cohen
Savannah Gardner & The Recovering Good Girls
Thomas Kavanagh
The Autumn Saints
Every artist brings their own sound and personality.
Some lean towards Nashville country.
Others draw influence from Americana, blues or folk.
Together, they create one of the most varied lineups at the festival.
This isn't a stage you'll visit because there's nothing else on.
It's a stage you'll keep coming back to because every set offers something different.
Why You Should Arrive Early
It's easy to spend an entire festival chasing the headline acts.
But festivals are often remembered for the performances you weren't expecting.
The artist you wandered over to while grabbing a coffee.
The songwriter whose lyrics stopped you in your tracks.
The band that had everyone dancing before lunchtime.
You might just find your next favourite artist at 9am with a fresh coffee in your hand.
That's exactly what the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage is all about.
Whether you're a long-time country fan or attending Country Calling for the first time, don't treat this as somewhere to kill time between the main stage sets.
Some of tomorrow's headliners will be performing here this weekend.
Years from now, you could be saying, "I remember seeing them on the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage before everyone else knew who they were."
Country music has always been built on discovering great songs and great storytellers.
This stage gives you the perfect opportunity to do exactly that.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage is another positive step for Country Calling.
It adds another live music destination, creates more opportunities for independent artists and gives fans even more value across the festival weekend.
As someone who covered Country Calling last year, one thing has become clear.
This festival isn't only about the headline names.
It's about supporting the artists working hard on the way up.
Many of tomorrow's main stage performers are playing smaller stages today.
The Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage gives you the chance to say you were there before everyone else caught on.
So grab a coffee, pull up a chair and spend some time discovering the future of UK country music.
You might arrive planning to watch just one act before heading elsewhere.
Instead, you could end up staying all afternoon.
After all, you might just find your next favourite artist at 9am with a fresh coffee in your hand.
That's what festivals are all about.
Full Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage Line-up
Beau Bennett
Blánid
Brian Collins
Brook Ellingworth
Brooke Law
Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best
Florence Sommerville
Fran Lusty
Georgia Nevada
The Gleaves
Henry Grace
Ivory Pablo & Friends
Jack & Daisy
Jeff Cohen
Jemma Johnson
Kaspar 'Berry' Rapkin & The Swamp Dogs
The Luke Flear Band
Madeline Thorp
Marianne Leigh
Oli McCracken
Outpost Drive
The Phil Ashmore Band
Ryan Evans
Samuel Ashton & The Instincts
Savannah Gardner & The Recovering Good Girls
Savannah Sings The Blues
Susannah Clegg
Taynee Lord
Thomas Kavanagh
Planning your Country Calling weekend? Make sure the Caffè Nero Imagesound Stage is on your list. The biggest crowds may gather in front of the main stage, but if history has taught us anything about festivals, it's often the smallest stages where the biggest discoveries are made. Grab a coffee, settle in and enjoy the music—you never know who you'll be talking about long after the festival ends.
