The Long Road Festival adds 25+ artists including Emmylou Harris, The 502s and Josh Ross
he UK’s most authentic and immersive outdoor Country, Americana and Roots festival, The Long Road, returns for a seventh year on the August 2026 Bank Holiday weekend (Aug. 27 - 30). Today’s announcement guarantees a weekend of music that spans multiple generations of artists, from legendary performers to the emerging artists and innovative new voices shaping country, Americana and roots.
The iconic, 14-time GRAMMY winner Emmylou Harris will bring timeless country and Americana as she wraps her lauded ‘European Farewell Tour’ at the festival, while fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Steve Earle will take to the stage for a special solo, acoustic performance. Earle, recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is also a producer, actor and author, with multiple film, television and stage roles under his belt.
Breakout Floridian folk band The 502s - often called “the happiest band on Earth” - will join Canadian country sensation Josh Ross on the lineup, who is known for his chart-topping, radio-ready hits such as the genre-bending collaboration with Akon on their countrified version of ‘Na Na Na’.
They join the previously announced, multi-platinum, record-breaking Saturday night headliner Bailey Zimmerman, marking his first UK performance in more than two years, following his sold-out UK and European headline run in 2024.
Taking place on the scenic grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, The Long Road’s lineup continues with fan favourites and touring icons ready to deliver unforgettable performances. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and multiple GRAMMY winning legend Jim Lauderdale is set to perform highlights from a decades-spanning career, while Shakey Graves, The Felice Brothers, Uncle Lucius, and acclaimed songwriter duo Striking Matches also join the lineup, alongside Oliver Hazard.
Celebrated as a true tastemaker event, The Long Road has built a reputation for spotlighting artists at every stage in their career, from powerhouse veterans to rising stars like Zandi Holup, and Jason Scott & The High Heat, set to make their UK debut. With each of its six stages inspired by the places that shape country music throughout an artist’s journey - from front porches and dive bars, to miles across the Interstate, to the big-break Rhinestone stage - festival-goers can uncover talent across multiple stages.
The iconic, 14-time GRAMMY winner Emmylou Harris will bring timeless country and Americana as she wraps her lauded ‘European Farewell Tour’ at the festival, while fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Steve Earle will take to the stage for a special solo, acoustic performance. Earle, recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is also a producer, actor and author, with multiple film, television and stage roles under his belt.
Breakout Floridian folk band The 502s - often called “the happiest band on Earth” - will join Canadian country sensation Josh Ross on the lineup, who is known for his chart-topping, radio-ready hits such as the genre-bending collaboration with Akon on their countrified version of ‘Na Na Na’.
They join the previously announced, multi-platinum, record-breaking Saturday night headliner Bailey Zimmerman, marking his first UK performance in more than two years, following his sold-out UK and European headline run in 2024.
Taking place on the scenic grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, The Long Road’s lineup continues with fan favourites and touring icons ready to deliver unforgettable performances. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and multiple GRAMMY winning legend Jim Lauderdale is set to perform highlights from a decades-spanning career, while Shakey Graves, The Felice Brothers, Uncle Lucius, and acclaimed songwriter duo Striking Matches also join the lineup, alongside Oliver Hazard.
Celebrated as a true tastemaker event, The Long Road has built a reputation for spotlighting artists at every stage in their career, from powerhouse veterans to rising stars like Zandi Holup, and Jason Scott & The High Heat, set to make their UK debut. With each of its six stages inspired by the places that shape country music throughout an artist’s journey - from front porches and dive bars, to miles across the Interstate, to the big-break Rhinestone stage - festival-goers can uncover talent across multiple stages.
A dedication to championing British artists continues this year, with Kezia Gill, The Hanging Stars, Rose Betts, Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou and Liam Price set to take the stage; Price was the winner of the festival’s inaugural Homegrown Talent Contest in 2025, which will take place again at this year’s festival to showcase the current crop of new artists. Applications for the 2026 contest will launch in the spring, with further information to follow.
Baylen Leonard, Festival Co-Founder, says of the announcement: “Every year, The Long Road feels a little more like home, and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest yet. This festival has always been about bringing our community together to celebrate the full spectrum of country and Americana, and this year's line up showcases all the different sounds of the genres we love.
It’s a joy and honour to welcome Emmylou Harris on her European Farewell Tour - a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to celebrate one of the genre’s most important voices. Icons like Steve Earle and rising stars such as Josh Ross capture exactly what The Long Road is all about: legendary storytellers sharing the stage with the next generation.”
New for 2026: Red Dog Saloon - the Texas-style BBQ restaurant, known for its highly popular locations across London, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Southampton. They will be bringing Austin-style BBQ, smokers and all, to this unique festival experience, serving sharing platters piled high with signature smoked meats and all the fixings, alongside all-American brunches with a BBQ twist.
Beyond the music, The Long Road offers the chance for audiences to step off the beaten track and immerse themselves in the Country lifestyle: think slow-and-low American-style BBQ, craft beers, line dancing, and the Lucky Dice Car & Bike show. From family-friendly adventures and vintage funfair rides to the high-octane fun of ‘Country-oke,’ it’s the ultimate destination for those who want to live and breathe the Nashville spirit.
Much more across four days and over six stages to be announced.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Day tickets, Weekend General and High Falootin’ VIP tickets, Family & Group tickets, General and Premium camping, Live-in Vehicle, Pitch & Park, and Glamping packages are on sale now here.
“An authentic, immersive and welcoming experience” – Grazia
“One of England’s premiere country music festivals” – Holler
“Get a slice of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place (with street food and craft beer to boot)” – Cosmopolitan
Baylen Leonard, Festival Co-Founder, says of the announcement: “Every year, The Long Road feels a little more like home, and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest yet. This festival has always been about bringing our community together to celebrate the full spectrum of country and Americana, and this year's line up showcases all the different sounds of the genres we love.
It’s a joy and honour to welcome Emmylou Harris on her European Farewell Tour - a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to celebrate one of the genre’s most important voices. Icons like Steve Earle and rising stars such as Josh Ross capture exactly what The Long Road is all about: legendary storytellers sharing the stage with the next generation.”
New for 2026: Red Dog Saloon - the Texas-style BBQ restaurant, known for its highly popular locations across London, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Southampton. They will be bringing Austin-style BBQ, smokers and all, to this unique festival experience, serving sharing platters piled high with signature smoked meats and all the fixings, alongside all-American brunches with a BBQ twist.
Beyond the music, The Long Road offers the chance for audiences to step off the beaten track and immerse themselves in the Country lifestyle: think slow-and-low American-style BBQ, craft beers, line dancing, and the Lucky Dice Car & Bike show. From family-friendly adventures and vintage funfair rides to the high-octane fun of ‘Country-oke,’ it’s the ultimate destination for those who want to live and breathe the Nashville spirit.
Much more across four days and over six stages to be announced.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Day tickets, Weekend General and High Falootin’ VIP tickets, Family & Group tickets, General and Premium camping, Live-in Vehicle, Pitch & Park, and Glamping packages are on sale now here.
“An authentic, immersive and welcoming experience” – Grazia
“One of England’s premiere country music festivals” – Holler
“Get a slice of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place (with street food and craft beer to boot)” – Cosmopolitan
