Elles Bailey Artists You Should Be Checking Out at The Long Road

Artists You Should Be Checking Out at The Long Road
Spotlight on Elles Bailey

If you’re heading to The Long Road Festival this year, there’s one name you absolutely cannot afford to miss: Elles Bailey.

Elles isn’t just one of the most important artists on the UK roots and Americana scene—she’s one of the most consistent, compelling, and commanding live performers I’ve ever photographed. Over the past five years, I’ve shot her in venues big and small, and every single time she brings a fire that burns brighter than most. This isn’t just another act on the bill. This is a headliner in spirit, voice, and presence.

Her sound blends blues, country, soul and rock into something rich and real, but it’s her voice that sets her apart. Smoky, weathered, and soulful, there’s a lived-in quality to the way she sings—like every lyric has been carried down a thousand roads. She’s not performing songs; she’s telling stories. And when you’re in that crowd, you feel those stories hit.

There’s grit. There’s grace. There’s a whole lot of heart.

But more than the voice, more than the band, what sets Elles Bailey apart is her authenticity. She doesn’t hide behind image or gimmick—she stands there and gives you the truth, every time. Her live shows are a masterclass in connection. Whether she’s breaking your heart with something stripped back or tearing the roof off with a full-throttle roots rocker, the audience is right there with her. And she makes sure of it.

One of the things I’ve always admired is how hard she works. Touring relentlessly, releasing records that get better each time, showing up and showing out wherever she goes. I’ve watched her go from rising star to powerhouse, and that’s not a story you see every day. She’s done it on her own terms—on the road, one crowd at a time.

When I covered her hometown Bristol show, I described it as “a career-defining performance,” and I stand by that. But what’s wild is that she somehow finds a way to top it every time. Each gig feels like the new benchmark.

At The Long Road, you’ll get a set that brings everything—emotion, energy, and pure talent. She doesn’t hold back, and she doesn’t phone it in. You’re going to remember her performance. You’re going to walk away talking about it. And if you’ve never seen her before? You’re about to understand what all the fuss is about.

In a festival stacked with big names and breakout acts, Elles Bailey stands tall—not just as an artist you should be checking out, but as one who proves, night after night, why UK Americana is in such good hands.

See you down the front. I’ll be the one with the camera—and the goosebumps.