The Long Road Sit Down with Mackenzie Carpenter
2025 has been a huge year for Mackenzie Carpenter with the release of her debut album “HEY COUNTRY QUEEN” which contained her country radio debut “I Wish You Would” featuring Midland and has done her fair share of globetrotting as she appeared at both C2C: Country to Country in the UK and CMC Rocks in Australia. After the success of her maiden voyage across the pond back in March, the Georgia native recently returned to the shores to perform at the sixth The Long Road festival at Stanford Hall in Leicestershire where we were able to hang out with Mackenzie to talk through this whirlwind of a year.
It’s so nice to finally meet you IN REAL LIFE!
“I know how fun is this?”
It is really, really fun.
“We've come a long way from our initial Zoom.”
Yeah, then you came to see us earlier this year and clearly enjoyed it so much.
“I loved it!”
Jet lag didn't kill you the first time so you thought you were going to be a sucker for that again.
“I know, honestly, I think it might be worse this time, but I'm powering through.”
I hate to break to you but it doesn't get any easier. Going home is fine, but coming this way is just like, it's horrid.
“Oh, well, good to know that the hard part is over.”
I’m just so jealous of people that can sleep on a plane.
“Oh, it could go either way.”
See, I think that's a real life superpower, genuinely. You know, it's like, it would be cool to be able to fly, turn invisible or something like that but if you can sleep on a plane, in the real world, that’s a real talent!
“I know, if only we could like teleport here and back.”
That’s the one, if only. I know you've probably not seen too much yet in terms of what is going on here and I know you haven't played yet.
“I know, you're my first stop, believe it or not.”
Girl, I’m honoured but first impressions on things here at The Long Road, is everything going good?
“Everything is great, it's looking like amazing vibes, everyone I've met has been so amazing and I just think it's gonna be a great day. We're setting the vibes now and I think it’s gonna be a really solid day.”
You are playing full band as well, which will be awesome because we didn’t get to see that when you came over in March.
“Yeah, I was acoustic, it was just me and my brother but now we have the whole band here. They're so excited to be here and it's gonna be a great show.”
It’s so nice to finally meet you IN REAL LIFE!
“I know how fun is this?”
It is really, really fun.
“We've come a long way from our initial Zoom.”
Yeah, then you came to see us earlier this year and clearly enjoyed it so much.
“I loved it!”
Jet lag didn't kill you the first time so you thought you were going to be a sucker for that again.
“I know, honestly, I think it might be worse this time, but I'm powering through.”
I hate to break to you but it doesn't get any easier. Going home is fine, but coming this way is just like, it's horrid.
“Oh, well, good to know that the hard part is over.”
I’m just so jealous of people that can sleep on a plane.
“Oh, it could go either way.”
See, I think that's a real life superpower, genuinely. You know, it's like, it would be cool to be able to fly, turn invisible or something like that but if you can sleep on a plane, in the real world, that’s a real talent!
“I know, if only we could like teleport here and back.”
That’s the one, if only. I know you've probably not seen too much yet in terms of what is going on here and I know you haven't played yet.
“I know, you're my first stop, believe it or not.”
Girl, I’m honoured but first impressions on things here at The Long Road, is everything going good?
“Everything is great, it's looking like amazing vibes, everyone I've met has been so amazing and I just think it's gonna be a great day. We're setting the vibes now and I think it’s gonna be a really solid day.”
You are playing full band as well, which will be awesome because we didn’t get to see that when you came over in March.
“Yeah, I was acoustic, it was just me and my brother but now we have the whole band here. They're so excited to be here and it's gonna be a great show.”
What can anyone who saw you in March expect? What's different about what you do with a band compared to when you were acoustic?
“I think just the energy brings like a whole new life to the set, we just love hanging out with each other, playing music with each other and I think that translates on stage. It's some of the same songs, we get a little bit longer set today so we get to throw in some other favourites but I think just high energy, fun and Mackenzie Carpenter classics.”
The other thing that will be cool is because when you last came over, the record had literally just dropped but now people have had a chance to listen to it and to live with it a little so people be able to sing them back to you.
“I know, I hope so. I wonder what their favourites are.”
Well obviously, all of them should be their favourites.
“Great answer.”
You know, you've got this really cute red vinyl which everyone needs to own if they don’t already.
“I know, the red is so perfect, I love it.”
It looks really good and what is even better is it plays really good. You sometimes find with a lot of coloured vinyl, yes they look wild but the press isn't always great. Luckily your one is perfect so shout out to whoever on your team who did a cracking job on that.
“Yeah, they got it figured out with the great press and colour. It's so fun to have that album out and it's just been a big year, like getting to release that and then the single with Midland and them being here tonight.”
It has been a huge year for you, not just this being your second trip here and the album coming out but you went down to Australia too.
“I did, yeah, isn't that crazy?”
Did they make you do a shoey?
“You know, somehow I got out of there without doing a shoey.”
They'll have your card marked if you try and go back.
“Ha-ha don't tell anyone because I may be in trouble.”
Some people have sort of said, like, because it's so expected, they have clean boots at the side of the stage that people could use rather than just like, you know, taking one of someone in the crowd.
“I don't want to give away all of their secrets, but they did have a few hacks, they were like, you know, if needs be, we can help you out, you know?”
Well, that’s for next time down there but after you’re done here, your going out on the road with Jordan Davis.
“I know, it's going to be such a fun fall. Jordan and his crew have already been so kind, I just recently ran into him in the airport actually.”
Well, I was going to say, you've missed him here by about two days because we saw him play on Tuesday night in the cutest and prettiest church down in London.
“Was that not amazing? He is just such a great human and I love his music. I'm genuinely a fan, so to get to go out on the road with him and that whole crew, I'm really, really excited about it.”
How long is the run?
“About two months.”
Oh, wow, it’s a long tour. Earlier you mentioned the track with Midland, I think we talked about it quite a bit last time, but it's obviously been the first radio success off your album and it's really been your breakout hit in a way too. When you first wrote that and put that to them, did you have that feeling that it was going to be something so special?
“You know the funny part about that song is when we did write it, it kind of just sat for, honestly, like, two years. I always loved the song, but I never knew where exactly it would go or when it would have its moment. So, if I was being honest, like, did I know that was going to be the one at the time? No, but I always knew it was special and I feel like when I did finally get the guys voices on it, that was the first time that I was like "Wow”. I feel like they really helped take it to the next level and really just added some cowboy sparkle.”
It'd be really, really cool if there was some way you were able to do it live here at The Long Road.
“Wouldn’t that be so cool?”
Well, you know, if they magically happened to be here as well.
“If we both just happen to be here, wouldn’t that be interesting? Maybe I should go and call them, we could try to get this set up.”
Do you reckon they might say yes?
“I think they would ha-ha.”
We've been hearing rumours that they're changed and they've become good boys now.
“Are they trying to do this and have a new rep? Like a Taylor Swift style rebrand, like the old Midland can't come to the phone right now?”
Maybe it’s like Reputation in reverse. Taylor went from being nice and went over to the dark side so they may have gone the other way?
“Ha-ha well, I can say that those guys have been really, really cool to work with. Also, I am a genuine fan of theirs and just to get to lean into this song together has been really, really awesome and I'm thankful for them being a part of it.”
“I think just the energy brings like a whole new life to the set, we just love hanging out with each other, playing music with each other and I think that translates on stage. It's some of the same songs, we get a little bit longer set today so we get to throw in some other favourites but I think just high energy, fun and Mackenzie Carpenter classics.”
The other thing that will be cool is because when you last came over, the record had literally just dropped but now people have had a chance to listen to it and to live with it a little so people be able to sing them back to you.
“I know, I hope so. I wonder what their favourites are.”
Well obviously, all of them should be their favourites.
“Great answer.”
You know, you've got this really cute red vinyl which everyone needs to own if they don’t already.
“I know, the red is so perfect, I love it.”
It looks really good and what is even better is it plays really good. You sometimes find with a lot of coloured vinyl, yes they look wild but the press isn't always great. Luckily your one is perfect so shout out to whoever on your team who did a cracking job on that.
“Yeah, they got it figured out with the great press and colour. It's so fun to have that album out and it's just been a big year, like getting to release that and then the single with Midland and them being here tonight.”
It has been a huge year for you, not just this being your second trip here and the album coming out but you went down to Australia too.
“I did, yeah, isn't that crazy?”
Did they make you do a shoey?
“You know, somehow I got out of there without doing a shoey.”
They'll have your card marked if you try and go back.
“Ha-ha don't tell anyone because I may be in trouble.”
Some people have sort of said, like, because it's so expected, they have clean boots at the side of the stage that people could use rather than just like, you know, taking one of someone in the crowd.
“I don't want to give away all of their secrets, but they did have a few hacks, they were like, you know, if needs be, we can help you out, you know?”
Well, that’s for next time down there but after you’re done here, your going out on the road with Jordan Davis.
“I know, it's going to be such a fun fall. Jordan and his crew have already been so kind, I just recently ran into him in the airport actually.”
Well, I was going to say, you've missed him here by about two days because we saw him play on Tuesday night in the cutest and prettiest church down in London.
“Was that not amazing? He is just such a great human and I love his music. I'm genuinely a fan, so to get to go out on the road with him and that whole crew, I'm really, really excited about it.”
How long is the run?
“About two months.”
Oh, wow, it’s a long tour. Earlier you mentioned the track with Midland, I think we talked about it quite a bit last time, but it's obviously been the first radio success off your album and it's really been your breakout hit in a way too. When you first wrote that and put that to them, did you have that feeling that it was going to be something so special?
“You know the funny part about that song is when we did write it, it kind of just sat for, honestly, like, two years. I always loved the song, but I never knew where exactly it would go or when it would have its moment. So, if I was being honest, like, did I know that was going to be the one at the time? No, but I always knew it was special and I feel like when I did finally get the guys voices on it, that was the first time that I was like "Wow”. I feel like they really helped take it to the next level and really just added some cowboy sparkle.”
It'd be really, really cool if there was some way you were able to do it live here at The Long Road.
“Wouldn’t that be so cool?”
Well, you know, if they magically happened to be here as well.
“If we both just happen to be here, wouldn’t that be interesting? Maybe I should go and call them, we could try to get this set up.”
Do you reckon they might say yes?
“I think they would ha-ha.”
We've been hearing rumours that they're changed and they've become good boys now.
“Are they trying to do this and have a new rep? Like a Taylor Swift style rebrand, like the old Midland can't come to the phone right now?”
Maybe it’s like Reputation in reverse. Taylor went from being nice and went over to the dark side so they may have gone the other way?
“Ha-ha well, I can say that those guys have been really, really cool to work with. Also, I am a genuine fan of theirs and just to get to lean into this song together has been really, really awesome and I'm thankful for them being a part of it.”
Well, we’re absolutely buzzing for later but as we're at a festival, what is on the Mackenzie Carpenter rider? What is like your main thing you’re asking for?
“Well, right now I’m kicking it off with an energy drink. I've never had this one before, but it's really yummy, so definitely an energy drink and then, honestly, another, like, must have is probably gummy bears. There’s a specific brand that I like in the States, I don't know if y'all have it here but they're called Albanese, it's in a white bag, they're just extra squishy and yummy.”
Do you find things here taste different? Like we take a lot of sugar out of things then a lot of people say places like Starbucks is a really different taste.
“Yeah, things do taste different, I actually haven't had Starbucks over here yet though. I like to try to hit the local spots when I'm here.”
Good girl, supporting local businesses. This must pretty much be a fly in and fly out visit though.
“I know, this one is such a bummer. I won't have any extra time to explore, but I did hit a lot yesterday. I went back to the Palace and when we showed up, I was like, oh my gosh, it's so busy, what's going on? It just happened to be the changing of the guard in the morning and I had no idea, like, there's so many people here so that was cool. We did Big Ben again, because I just have such a crush on him, we saw Tower Bridge, we did the Queen's Walk and Borough Market. We did everything, all in, like a couple of hours because we only a morning. I absolutely love it here, we are having the best time and did a little pub crawl last night. I'm just really embracing it.”
What’s been your drink in the pubs?
“You know, I'm really into the cider right now, I had some Strongbow last night.”
Oh, now you're learning and you’re a cider girly.
“I am loving it! I went to a couple and got that, then I went to some other bars, and I was kind of upset when they didn't have it.”
Cider is harder to find at home, isn't it? Every bar back home is jut those same light lagers over and over again. Thank you so much for hanging out, it's so nice to meet your properly and have the best time on stage later.
“HEY COUNTRY QUEEN” from Mackenzie Carpenter is out now via The Valory Music Co. and is available HERE. You can learn more about Mackenzie and find details of all of upcoming dates with Jordan Davis on her WEBSITE or you can follow her socially to keep up with all that she is up to on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK & FACEBOOK.
The Long Road Festival will return to Stanford Hall in Leicestershire in 2026 between Thursday 27th and Sunday 30th August, with tickets on sale now. You can find ticket details and further information on their WEBSITE and you can be the first to know all updates ahead of next year’s event by checking out their socials on INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK.
“Well, right now I’m kicking it off with an energy drink. I've never had this one before, but it's really yummy, so definitely an energy drink and then, honestly, another, like, must have is probably gummy bears. There’s a specific brand that I like in the States, I don't know if y'all have it here but they're called Albanese, it's in a white bag, they're just extra squishy and yummy.”
Do you find things here taste different? Like we take a lot of sugar out of things then a lot of people say places like Starbucks is a really different taste.
“Yeah, things do taste different, I actually haven't had Starbucks over here yet though. I like to try to hit the local spots when I'm here.”
Good girl, supporting local businesses. This must pretty much be a fly in and fly out visit though.
“I know, this one is such a bummer. I won't have any extra time to explore, but I did hit a lot yesterday. I went back to the Palace and when we showed up, I was like, oh my gosh, it's so busy, what's going on? It just happened to be the changing of the guard in the morning and I had no idea, like, there's so many people here so that was cool. We did Big Ben again, because I just have such a crush on him, we saw Tower Bridge, we did the Queen's Walk and Borough Market. We did everything, all in, like a couple of hours because we only a morning. I absolutely love it here, we are having the best time and did a little pub crawl last night. I'm just really embracing it.”
What’s been your drink in the pubs?
“You know, I'm really into the cider right now, I had some Strongbow last night.”
Oh, now you're learning and you’re a cider girly.
“I am loving it! I went to a couple and got that, then I went to some other bars, and I was kind of upset when they didn't have it.”
Cider is harder to find at home, isn't it? Every bar back home is jut those same light lagers over and over again. Thank you so much for hanging out, it's so nice to meet your properly and have the best time on stage later.
“HEY COUNTRY QUEEN” from Mackenzie Carpenter is out now via The Valory Music Co. and is available HERE. You can learn more about Mackenzie and find details of all of upcoming dates with Jordan Davis on her WEBSITE or you can follow her socially to keep up with all that she is up to on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK & FACEBOOK.
The Long Road Festival will return to Stanford Hall in Leicestershire in 2026 between Thursday 27th and Sunday 30th August, with tickets on sale now. You can find ticket details and further information on their WEBSITE and you can be the first to know all updates ahead of next year’s event by checking out their socials on INSTAGRAM or FACEBOOK.
