The Long Road Festival 2025 Review: Bigger, Better and Still the UK's Best Country Festival
Having attended every edition of The Long Road Festival since its inception, and having covered the festival independently for the last four years, it has been incredible to watch both the event and the UK country scene grow year after year. What started as a bold idea to bring an authentic slice of Americana to the UK has grown into what is undoubtedly the country's premier country, roots and Americana festival.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Stanford Hall, The Long Road has always been about more than just the music. From line dancing and campfires to food trucks, vintage Americana displays and spontaneous jam sessions, the festival has created a community unlike any other on the UK festival circuit. It's a place where lifelong friendships are formed, new artists are discovered and fans return year after year.
One of the biggest and most welcome changes for 2025 was seeing the main stage open on the Friday, instantly giving the entire weekend an even bigger festival feel. After all, if the stage is already built, why not use it? The decision paid off immediately, allowing fans to enjoy headline-worthy performances from the moment the gates opened and ensuring the energy remained high across all three days.
As always, one of The Long Road's greatest strengths was the sheer diversity on offer. Across multiple stages spread throughout the site, festival-goers could experience everything from traditional country and bluegrass to Americana, folk, southern rock and blues. Whether standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a packed tent, discovering a future star on the Front Porch stage or singing along in front of the main stage as the sun set over Stanford Hall, every corner of the site offered something special.
While it is impossible to see every artist across such a packed schedule, the 2025 line-up once again demonstrated why The Long Road continues to set the benchmark for country festivals in the UK.
Drake Milligan continues to go from strength to strength, proving exactly why he deserved his main stage headline slot. Blending traditional country sounds with effortless charisma, Milligan delivered a performance worthy of closing out a major festival stage.
Darren Kiely once again showcased why he is one of the fastest-rising names in country and Americana. His heartfelt songwriting and emotional delivery connected instantly with the Long Road audience.
Fantastic Negrito filled The Long Road with funky, infectious sounds, bringing a unique blend of blues, soul and rock to the festival. His energetic performance offered something completely different and was impossible to ignore.
Ashley Monroe's timeless voice captivated the audience throughout her set. Combining heartfelt songwriting with stunning vocals, she once again showed why she remains one of Nashville's most respected artists.
Jake O'Neill's appearance on the main stage was one of those feel-good moments that summed up what The Long Road is all about. Seeing an independent UK artist earn a place on the festival's biggest stage was thoroughly deserved and a testament to the hard work he has put into building his career. It was a proud moment not just for Jake, but for the UK country scene as a whole, showing that homegrown talent can stand alongside international names on one of the country's biggest country music stages.
Beoga brought infectious energy wherever they performed, blending traditional Irish folk with contemporary influences to create a set packed with musicianship and crowd participation.
Making his UK debut, Liam St. John left a lasting impression with his gritty vocals and blues-infused sound. His raw and authentic performance undoubtedly earned him plenty of new fans.
Midland looked every inch main stage headliners. Packed with huge choruses, slick harmonies and plenty of classic country swagger, their set was a reminder of why they have become one of country music's biggest live acts.
James Bay proved he was the perfect choice to close The Long Road Festival. Blending chart favourites with roots influences, he brought the weekend to a memorable and fitting conclusion.
With multiple performances across the weekend, First Time Flyers were everywhere at The Long Road. However, it was their appearance on the Front Porch stage that truly stood out, drawing an incredible crowd despite going head-to-head with a main stage headliner.
Janet Devlin delivered a beautifully heartfelt performance, effortlessly blending country, folk and Americana influences. Her honest songwriting and distinctive vocals resonated strongly with festival-goers.
Naomi Campbell continued to prove why she is one of the UK's brightest country talents, delivering a confident set packed with powerful vocals and engaging storytelling.
Larry Fleet's rich traditional country sound was perfectly suited to The Long Road. His powerful vocals and authentic storytelling created one of the standout country performances of the weekend.
Charles Wesley Godwin captivated the crowd with his cinematic songwriting and heartfelt delivery. His songs painted vivid stories, creating a truly memorable festival set.
Evan Honer showcased the songwriting and authenticity that have seen his popularity soar in recent years. His honest lyrics and engaging performance struck a chord with audiences.
Gareth brought plenty of energy and charisma to the stage, further cementing his reputation as one of the UK's most exciting emerging country artists.
Making her long-awaited return to The Long Road, Elles Bailey once again demonstrated why she remains a festival favourite. Having last seen her perform in the festival's early years on the Front Porch stage at midnight, it was fantastic to see just how far both artist and festival have come.
Mackenzie Carpenter impressed with her sharp songwriting, charismatic stage presence and contemporary country sound, proving exactly why she is generating so much excitement in Nashville.
Making only her second ever visit to the UK, Bobbie was one of the artists I was most excited to see on this year's line-up. Possessing a truly stunning voice, she certainly didn't disappoint and left a lasting impression.
Seasick Steve reminded everyone why he remains one of live music's true originals. His stripped-back style, storytelling and unmistakable personality made for a captivating set.
There is simply no stopping Alana Springsteen's rise in the UK. Fast becoming a firm favourite with British audiences, her confident performance and modern country sound proved exactly why her popularity continues to soar.
Kezia Gill drew one of the biggest crowds of the entire weekend. The tent was absolutely rammed, with fans spilling right out the back, highlighting once again her huge popularity and status as one of UK country's leading artists.
Erin Kinsey impressed with her warm stage presence, relatable songwriting and polished vocals, further proving why she is one of Nashville's brightest emerging stars.
Halle Kearns brought a fresh contemporary country sound to The Long Road, delivering a lively and engaging set that quickly won over the audience.
Together, these performances highlighted exactly why The Long Road remains the UK's premier country, Americana and roots festival, once again bringing together established stars, rising talent and unforgettable moments across an incredible three-day weekend.
