The Long Road Festival drew more than 40,000 fans to Stanford Hall in Leicestershire across four days this August Bank Holiday, as the UK country community marked another bumper edition of the country’s biggest outdoor country, Americana and roots festival. Earlybird tickets for 2027, set for 26 to 29 August, go on sale this Thursday 3 September at 9:30am.
The 2026 event was the festival’s seventh year, following its biggest edition to date in 2025, and once again stretched from traditional and Americana sounds to rock, folk, funk and contemporary country. Crowds sang through the rain, danced in the sunshine and gathered under rainbows, while fans and artists paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who died days before the event, at a dedicated Dolly Forever Wall. Organisers leaned on her well known line, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
Friday opened with The Shires headlining the Rhinestone Stage, a set billed as a snapshot of how far homegrown country has come in the UK. Steve Earle packed his slot with storytelling classics, The 502s were among the day’s biggest energy acts, Harleymoon Kemp took over The Interstate, and Chanel Yates, introduced as the “pocket sized cowgirl”, made a sharp impression.
Saturday’s headline hour belonged to Ronnie Wood, who opened with the Rolling Stones’ ‘It’s Only Rock’n’Roll (But I Like It)’ and a cover of Willie Nelson’s ‘On The Road Again’ before bringing Imelda May on stage. The pair closed a run of songs with ‘9 to 5’ as a tribute to Parton. Josh Ross was a main stage highlight, First Time Flyers stepped up to the main stage after playing every other Long Road stage in previous years, Hayley Jensen opened The Interstate, Twinnie played her new single and tracks from her forthcoming album, Jason and The High Heat brought funk to the bill, and Dawson Anderson packed The Front Porch.
Sunday’s close was built around two major moments. Maren Morris played a UK exclusive set including ‘The Middle’, ‘Bones’ and ‘My Church’, before Emmylou Harris delivered the final UK show of her European farewell tour. Harris, a close friend and collaborator of Parton, performed ‘When We’re Gone, Long Gone’, the song they first released in 1999, as Stanford Hall was lit pink. Ryan and Rory, The Brothers Comatose and Lily Fitts also featured on the closing day.
The Homegrown Country Music Contest, hosted by Janet Devlin, again put emerging UK acts in front of the Long Road crowd. Josh Beer won this year’s contest, while 2025 winner Liam Price returned on the Rhinestone Stage.
Creative Director Baylen Leonard said: “This year’s Long Road was a fantastic celebration of the spirit and community at the heart of country music. Offering a welcoming and inclusive environment, it’s a place where everyone can feel accepted, connected and part of something special. There’s a real sense of coming home at The Long Road, and we want everyone who joins us to feel that the festival is a place where they can truly be themselves. As we continue to grow, we look forward to welcoming new faces, whilst seeing familiar ones return year after year.”
Away from the stages, the site ran the car and bike show, the Smoke & Fire BBQ food experience, eating competitions and sold out sittings at the Red Dog Saloon. The programme stretched from a 1am afterparty to 11am crafts and line dancing at The Front Porch, with families, pets and first time country fans mixed in with the regulars.
The Long Road 2027 returns to Stanford Hall from 26 to 29 August. Earlybird tickets go on sale at 9:30am on Thursday 3 September.
Image credits: Diana Dumi
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