I’ve been blessed in my time to attend a host of festivals – both as a reporter and as a fan, but when the opportunity came along to cover The Long Road Festival in Leicestershire – 3 whole days of country music – I snapped up the opportunity so fast. This was the greatest weekend of my entire life.
Country music has blown up around Europe – events such as C2C draw in artists across the globe and give European fans more accessible ways to see their favourite country artists in local venues – and off the back of this, we’ve seen so many artists then take on solo tours to smaller venues around major cities – many of them selling out just as tickets go on sale. The demand for live country music is at an all-time high.
What I loved the most about The Long Road Festival is it gave people the chance to see the likes of Drake Milligan, Midland and James Bay (rogue headliner, but got to appeal to everyone) – as well as the opportunity to camp – for families and also DOGS (can all festivals adopt this please?!) – not only was this the most well thought-out and wholesome event, it was also the most well curated and designed festival I’ve ever seen – from the artwork, sculptures and stage designs – most importantly the Front Porch Stage which housed a host of up-and-coming stars in the most surreal setting – a literal front porch, surrounded by haybales to sit on. Every detail of this festival was perfected down to a fine art.
There’s no denying that I, Lauren Page, am a die-hard fan of Mr Drake Milligan – I won’t hide it – I’ve seen him twice, and the way he captivates an audience is like nothing I’ve ever seen before – it’s truly magical. This would be his biggest headline set – and it was across the pond here in England – what a milestone moment for him.
Starting on the Friday, we took a wander around the festival and there were a few artists I was DESPERATE to see – starting with Liam St. John, this was his UK debut and my oh my does this man put on a show. Blending country with rock and roll, Liam brought the show to the Rhinestone Main Stage. I hope we see him on the C2C lineup in the very near future, as the UK loves Liam.
Sykamore, a Canadian artist, has the most flawless voice – fusing storytelling with the most delicate tones, she took over Buddy’s Bar and I was hooked (and went on to see 2 further sets of hers over the weekend). Wells Ferrari, whom I previously caught touring with Evan Honer earlier in the week, took The Front Porch Stage by storm after Maya Lane truly blew everyone away – it’s not easy to be performing the same time as the headliner. Still, she drew in the crowd, and her track Heart for a Heart has been on replay for me ever since.
First Time Flyers are a personal favourite of mine, they bring a level of energy to country music that I CRAVE. Fresh off their newly released track, Primadonna, the 4-piece had the interstate stage up and dancing from the get-go. This was a prime example of how the weekend was going to go – everyone is here to celebrate one thing: good country music live on stage.
For the headline slot, I truly have no words. You know you’ve enjoyed a show (maybe too much) when your face hurts from smiling too much. Drake Milligan takes over a stage in the same way Elvis did – you are transfixed from the get-go – the moves, the voice, the warbles, everything. Playing a selection of his original songs, a sneak preview of new songs and a nod to some of his icons, including the late Merle Haggard, Drake had The Long Road Festival in the palm of his hand – even asking people who their highlight was on the way home Monday morning, Drake Milligan was the name on everyone’s lips. What a headliner for Friday, I almost wish they had him closing on Sunday instead.
Saturday is where things really started ramping up – armed with a list of artists I wanted to catch, I was BUSY.
Halle Kearns kicked off my Saturday – dressed like a country music Polly Pocket, this gal has a voice and a half! Shoes to Fill is one of my favourite tracks, and Halle sounds the same recorded as she does live – truly had everyone’s attention from the start of the set to the end.
The Saturday lineup had so many artists that I listen to, day in and day out and being able to see them live was a dream come true. One of these was Mackenzie Carpenter. Since releasing Hey Country Queen earlier this year, I have been HOOKED. If there is one thing I must mention about The Long Road Festival, it is that the amount of female representation on their lineup is truly extraordinary. So many women I look up to played, including Mackenzie, Elle Bailey, Janet Devlin, Alyssa Bonagura, Ashley Monroe and of course, one of the greatest female country singer-songwriters – Alana Springsteen. Who absolutely smashed it on the Sunday.
Jake O’Neill took to the Rhinestone stage and delivered a standout performance to his biggest crowd yet – a mix of covers, original songs and one that is forever on my repeated playlist – his High School Musical cover of I Gotta Go My Own Way. Bringing vulnerability and a standout vocal to the stage – honestly, I’d say this was one of the best sets of the weekend.
Charles Wesley Goodwin was brought out for Evan Honer ‘Mr Myers’, which was an absolute treat (especially as I’d seen it solo on the Monday in Glasgow!) and Larry Fleet. Just wow. If you read my review of Larry in Glasgow last week, you know how incredible this man is live – but live on an outdoor stage – just hit different. This man is just truly amazed about his success over the pond, and it is the most wholesome and lovely thing to see – I’m saying it now – C2C 2026 – My money is on Mr Fleet (or I’m just absolutely keeping my fingers crossed until it’s announced).
Midland closed the Saturday night and invited Mackenzie Carpenter to join them, which was a nice touch – also Cheatin’ Songs by Midland will always slap.
The Sunday for me was the lineup where I had a few standout artists to see, but a great chance to wander around and see who else I should discover. Kicking off the day was an artist I saw a few months ago supporting Charles Wesley Goodwin and LOVED him – Evan Bartels. The way this man commands stage presence is on another level of incredible. Mixing personal stories with top-tier writing, Evan started the day at Interstate Stage at the highest level of talent. The Devil, God & Me will never not tug at your heartstrings. Praying for a solo headline soon. Now, one of my favourite artists was due to me on the main stage at 4 pm – Erin Kinsey – I saw Erin at my very first C2C back in 2022, and her track Just Drive was a gateway into female representation in country music. I recently caught her at Oran Mor in Glasgow supporting Restless Road, but no word of a lie, the change in confidence for Erin was incredible. The crowd ATE UP every word, every move and every story – the way Erin Kinsey makes the stage her own needs studying – incredible. Telling stories and even playing a variety of guitars, we were locked in start to finish, also giving a taster of her latest release, Blue Jean Baby. We were HOOKED. Another shoutout needs to go to Colby Acuff – a man who needs no introduction. Just like Liam St. John, The Long Road was also his first UK appearance, but judging by the packed-out audience, you’d never be able to tell. This was one of my favourite sets of the weekend, playing a variety of tracks and taking the Interstate stage by storm. I beg, Colby, come back as soon as you can.
I could go on for hours. But in terms of accessibility, this festival has an array of accessible stages, set facilities and accessibility stations in each segment of the festival (it’s all on grass), the festival is for all ages – from babies up to older generation – we even saw a happy birthday go out to an 80 year old lady at one of the evening after parties. If you like country music, or you’re looking for an event which is going to showcase the best of the best, The Long Road Festival is where it is at. I’ve seen my all-time favourite artists, new artists, uncovered new talent and met life-long friends. The Long Road Festival 2026, you are going to sell out early doors, I can sense it already.
Review by Lauren Page
