The Long Road Festival - Standford Hall, Leicestershire, England. Photo by Paul Clampin

By Paul Clampin, Rock At Night London

Live Review: The Long Road Festival – Standford Hall, Leicestershire, UK – August 24, 2024

It’s a mixture of Americana and Country with a frisson of country rock thrown in curated by Baylen Leonard who has been planning and cajoling artists to support the growth of country since inception. He stated that his plan was to ‘‘showcase the broadest and best range of country, Americana and roots music in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere’’. And he and the team have achieved this.

Whether you camp for the weekend or are a day guest everyone is welcome to (including dogs). But be prepared for an English summer. There’s everything from acoustic sets on a specially build Ozark house to an alternate stage that is tented and which runs as a late-night dance party till 2am.

Now in its 5th year, this festival can really confirm permanency in the diary of the hardy UK country music fans. It comes at the end of the summer. Perfect timing for some of the acts from the US touring Europe.

It’s a mix of established artists and bands that are ‘on the up’ and those that are making their way, paying their dues. Previous artists playing there were The Cadillac Three, Cam, Lauren Alaina & Lainey Wilson all of which now sell headliner tours in the UK. It’s become a setting stone to the largest Country festival C2C in March.

This year the mains stage headliners were Russell Dickerson and veteran Don Mclean. The latter of which was touring a fiftieth anniversary of American Pie. For those that liked their rock hard and southern there was Kyle Daniel and Southall (who we will see again in 2025 on headline tour).

For sublime songwriting and storytelling there was Kristian Bush (one half of Sugarland) and Brooke Eden. Both tell stories of struggles and relationships. Sometimes with humour.

A late addition to the festival was Dasha (who like Megan Moroney the year before) had one of the biggest crowds as she slotted in an appearance between trips to both Reading & Leeds festivals. Dasha and her track Austin’ has 35 million views. She’s was a younger crowd pleaser with a high energy set of songs from the heart.

Roll on 2025.