The Long Road Festival 2025 Ones To Watch
The upcoming bank holiday weekend will once again see the British country music family descend upon Stanford Hall, near Lutterworth in Leicestershire for the sixth edition of The Long Road Festival for what has now become one of the largest staples in the calendar. Past running’s of the Baylen Leonard curated celebration of country, Americana and roots have seen the likes of Lainey Wilson, Kip Moore, Josh Turner, Don McLean, Nickel Creek, Blackberry Smoke and Russell Dickerson to name just a few, with this years lineup continuing with an array on artists from all over the world.
Whilst Drake Milligan, Midland and James Bay grab the headlines in topping the bill which sees the main Rhinestone Stage also being programmed on the Friday night for the first time, this year’s event brings together what in our opinion is one of the strongest lineups seen on UK shores and to lead into the festival, we are providing our guide of the ten performers that you cannot afford to miss over the weekend.
TROUSDALE
The Los Angles based folk-pop trio of Lauren Jones, Georgia Greene and Quinn D’Andrea will bring their stunning vocal harmonies and exciting sun-kissed sound to The Interstate Stage on Sunday. Having released their sophomore album “Growing Pains” in April, been out opening for Maren Morris and tour dates with Lake Street Dive coming in September, it’s no surprise these real life Californian Powerpuff Girls and one of the acts we cannot wait to see for the first time at what promises to be a really fun and energetic set.
Whilst Drake Milligan, Midland and James Bay grab the headlines in topping the bill which sees the main Rhinestone Stage also being programmed on the Friday night for the first time, this year’s event brings together what in our opinion is one of the strongest lineups seen on UK shores and to lead into the festival, we are providing our guide of the ten performers that you cannot afford to miss over the weekend.
TROUSDALE
The Los Angles based folk-pop trio of Lauren Jones, Georgia Greene and Quinn D’Andrea will bring their stunning vocal harmonies and exciting sun-kissed sound to The Interstate Stage on Sunday. Having released their sophomore album “Growing Pains” in April, been out opening for Maren Morris and tour dates with Lake Street Dive coming in September, it’s no surprise these real life Californian Powerpuff Girls and one of the acts we cannot wait to see for the first time at what promises to be a really fun and energetic set.
ALANA SPRINGSTEEN
An artist that you should be no stranger to after appearing at C2C Country to Country, last year’s BST in Hyde Park and is set to return to The Long Road stage for a second time. The Virgina Beach starlet will bring her east coast flair for a high intensity set upon the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday at 17:15 and if that’s not enough she will keep the party going on Sunday where you will you will get another chance to catch her in her trusty Air Jordan’s for a late night extravaganza.
An artist that you should be no stranger to after appearing at C2C Country to Country, last year’s BST in Hyde Park and is set to return to The Long Road stage for a second time. The Virgina Beach starlet will bring her east coast flair for a high intensity set upon the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday at 17:15 and if that’s not enough she will keep the party going on Sunday where you will you will get another chance to catch her in her trusty Air Jordan’s for a late night extravaganza.
ERIN KINSEY
After going from the west to the east coast, it’s time to head down to Texas and this young lady has a sound that proves that everything is bigger down there! A big country-pop/rock sound, an infectious personality and (just in time for the European trip) even bigger new hair will light up the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday afternoon, fresh from headlining the Sound of Nashville Open Air festival in Cologne and just before her (already upgraded) first headline show in London on Wednesday 27th August.
After going from the west to the east coast, it’s time to head down to Texas and this young lady has a sound that proves that everything is bigger down there! A big country-pop/rock sound, an infectious personality and (just in time for the European trip) even bigger new hair will light up the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday afternoon, fresh from headlining the Sound of Nashville Open Air festival in Cologne and just before her (already upgraded) first headline show in London on Wednesday 27th August.
EVAN BARTELS
One of our artist discoveries of the year (who is a big fan of proper old school pubs) and one of the best storytellers you will ever come across. The Tobias, Nebraska native put out his stunning new EP “To Make You Cry” in May which was his major label debut through MCA / Snakefarm Records in the UK who are taking over a stage over the weekend where you can catch Evan at Buddy’s Bar and The Interstate where he will truly captivate you.
One of our artist discoveries of the year (who is a big fan of proper old school pubs) and one of the best storytellers you will ever come across. The Tobias, Nebraska native put out his stunning new EP “To Make You Cry” in May which was his major label debut through MCA / Snakefarm Records in the UK who are taking over a stage over the weekend where you can catch Evan at Buddy’s Bar and The Interstate where he will truly captivate you.
HALLE KEARNS
When you work in the industry and particularly when you are covering a festival, you’re not supposed to have a favourite, but………. She lives on a boat, has an excessive collection of fridge magnets, loves sending voice notes and puts together EPIC “Homemade Margaritas” so we are absolutely thrilled to welcome sunshine in it’s human form back to the UK following her first trip over for C2C last year. She has recently welcomed us into petty summer with her new track “Wish You Gone” which we will get to hear as she performs with a full band for the first time in the UK on The Rhinestone Stage on Sunday afternoon.
When you work in the industry and particularly when you are covering a festival, you’re not supposed to have a favourite, but………. She lives on a boat, has an excessive collection of fridge magnets, loves sending voice notes and puts together EPIC “Homemade Margaritas” so we are absolutely thrilled to welcome sunshine in it’s human form back to the UK following her first trip over for C2C last year. She has recently welcomed us into petty summer with her new track “Wish You Gone” which we will get to hear as she performs with a full band for the first time in the UK on The Rhinestone Stage on Sunday afternoon.
SYKAMORE
The first of two Canadians on this list and Jordan Ostrom from Carseland, Alberta is definitely one of the most creative artists on this years bill. A member of CMT’s Next Women of Country class in 2020 who headed over to the UK for the first time in 2023 that really embodies all of the core western values as she grew up in and around the rodeo thanks to her parents as depicted in her latest release “Country Kid”. A great storyteller, with very poignant lyrics and enticing warmth that you will have plenty of chances to see over the weekend.
The first of two Canadians on this list and Jordan Ostrom from Carseland, Alberta is definitely one of the most creative artists on this years bill. A member of CMT’s Next Women of Country class in 2020 who headed over to the UK for the first time in 2023 that really embodies all of the core western values as she grew up in and around the rodeo thanks to her parents as depicted in her latest release “Country Kid”. A great storyteller, with very poignant lyrics and enticing warmth that you will have plenty of chances to see over the weekend.
EVERETTE
Another longtime friend here at the site and our first chance to see Brent Rupard in his new phase. It once again promising to be an unforgettable after party to keep Saturday night rocking after Midland finish on the main stage. Taking the name from George Clooney’s character in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” this Kentucky boy is one of the best and most talented people you will see on stage all weekend.
Another longtime friend here at the site and our first chance to see Brent Rupard in his new phase. It once again promising to be an unforgettable after party to keep Saturday night rocking after Midland finish on the main stage. Taking the name from George Clooney’s character in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” this Kentucky boy is one of the best and most talented people you will see on stage all weekend.
MAYA LANE
Flying the flag for the British Isles as she has been doing for the entire year as she performed at both C2C festival and also on the Noah Kahan undercard at BST Hyde Park. The sultry pop-folk charms have already seen her open for Far From Saints and receive BBC Radio 1 airplay on numerous releases and her brand new EP “The Hurt And The Healing” will be released on September 4th following her first headline show in London a day earlier. You can catch her at the festival on The Front Porch on Friday night at 21:45.
Flying the flag for the British Isles as she has been doing for the entire year as she performed at both C2C festival and also on the Noah Kahan undercard at BST Hyde Park. The sultry pop-folk charms have already seen her open for Far From Saints and receive BBC Radio 1 airplay on numerous releases and her brand new EP “The Hurt And The Healing” will be released on September 4th following her first headline show in London a day earlier. You can catch her at the festival on The Front Porch on Friday night at 21:45.
JADE TURNER
We are super excited to be welcoming this wonderful human being BACK to the UK! We first got to see Jade play during AMA UK Music Week back in Hackney earlier this year ahead of the release of her third album “Breathe” and is returning to appear as part of Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country stage takeover. This proud member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba has one of the most incredible voices you will hear and you will also get to hear some of the most incredible stories from.
We are super excited to be welcoming this wonderful human being BACK to the UK! We first got to see Jade play during AMA UK Music Week back in Hackney earlier this year ahead of the release of her third album “Breathe” and is returning to appear as part of Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country stage takeover. This proud member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation in northern Manitoba has one of the most incredible voices you will hear and you will also get to hear some of the most incredible stories from.
FANNY LUMSDEN
Leaving the hardest working girl until last, the QUEEN of Australian country music will conclude one of the biggest tours I can remember by opening the Rhinestone Stage at the festival before jetting straight back home to play arena shows with Paul Kelly. Her and her band the “Prawn Stars” are the perfect way to start your Saturday with what will be the most uplifting set that you will see all weekend which is guaranteed to put the biggest smile on your face. (disclaimer- she really struggles to stand still)
Leaving the hardest working girl until last, the QUEEN of Australian country music will conclude one of the biggest tours I can remember by opening the Rhinestone Stage at the festival before jetting straight back home to play arena shows with Paul Kelly. Her and her band the “Prawn Stars” are the perfect way to start your Saturday with what will be the most uplifting set that you will see all weekend which is guaranteed to put the biggest smile on your face. (disclaimer- she really struggles to stand still)
The Long Road Festival takes place at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire over the weekend of August 22nd to 24th where you can find ticket details and further information on their WEBSITE and you can be the first to know all updates ahead of the event by checking out their socials on INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK.
