Grammy-winning country-pop star Maren Morris has been announced as the Sunday night headliner for The Long Road Festival 2026, in what will be her only UK show of the year. The news completes the headline trio for the festival’s seventh edition, which returns to Stanford Hall, Leicestershire over the August Bank Holiday weekend, 27th to 30th August.
Morris joins a headline bill that already features multi-platinum star Bailey Zimmerman as Saturday night headliner, marking his first UK performance since his sold-out UK and European headline run in 2024, and legendary Americana icon Emmylou Harris, who will perform as part of her European Farewell Tour. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member and Grand Ole Opry inductee Steve Earle also joins the bill for a special solo acoustic performance.
Morris is one of country music’s defining voices of the modern era, having amassed a GRAMMY Award, five ACM Awards, five CMA Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, and billions of streams across her catalogue. She has collaborated with the likes of Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Hozier, and Zedd, and sold out tours across multiple continents. With this being her only UK performance in 2026, festival co-founder Baylen Leonard called the booking a natural fit. “A storyteller, a mold breaker, and an absolute authentic powerhouse with a catalogue of smash hits and singalong anthems,” he said. “I’m sure I won’t be alone in getting on someone’s shoulders to wave my hands back and forth and scream sing My Church!”
A fresh wave of artists has also been unveiled across all three days. Friday additions include British country duo and CMA Award winners The Shires, soul-bearing next-gen artist Stella Prince, UK singer-songwriter Harleymoon Kemp, Nashville-honed Harper O’Neil, and ‘Cowgirl Polly Pocket’ Chanel Yates. Saturday sees the arrival of gritty country-rock artist Shaylen, London’s Simon Howard, Aussie breakout Hayley Jensen, classic country crooner Chandler Walters, folk-tinged songstress Emily Scott Robinson, bluegrass collective Susto Stringband, acclaimed singer-songwriter Lizzie No, UK standout Twinnie, and rising artist Dawson Anderson. Sunday additions include dark country duo Knucklehead, Canadian Juno Award nominee Luca Fogale, rock dynamo Dan Byrne, and breakout duo Ryan & Rory.
The previously announced supporting cast is equally impressive. Breakout Floridian folk act The 502s, Canadian country sensation Josh Ross, Shakey Graves, The Felice Brothers, Uncle Lucius, Striking Matches, and Oliver Hazard all feature across the weekend. Nashville legend Jim Lauderdale, celebrated for a decades-spanning career, and multiple Grammy winner Emmylou Harris add serious heritage weight to the bill. Emerging talent is also well represented, with Zandi Holup and Jason Scott & The High Heat (making their UK debut) among those gracing the stages. UK-based artists including Kezia Gill, The Hanging Stars, Rose Betts, and Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou also appear, alongside Liam Price, winner of the festival’s inaugural Homegrown Talent Contest in 2025. Applications for the 2026 contest will open soon.
High-energy stage takeovers from Loose Music Records, Snakefarm Records, and Oh Boy! Records will take place across the weekend, adding even more flavour to the packed programme. Arriving for a culinary debut at The Long Road, Red Dog Saloon will bring their Austin-style BBQ restaurant on-site, serving sharing platters of signature smoked meats, all-American brunches with a BBQ twist, and more. Tables are available to pre-book for eager diners.
Beyond the music, The Long Road delivers a fully immersive country lifestyle experience across six thematically inspired stages, from front porch intimacy to the Rhinestone main stage. Expect US-inspired street food traders, craft beers, line dancing, the Lucky Dice Car & Bike Show, vintage funfair rides, family-friendly activities, and the high-octane fun of ‘country-oke.’ The festival has built a strong reputation for bringing the Nashville spirit to the Midlands, with previous headliners including Don McLean in 2024 and a sell-out 2023 edition at the same Stanford Hall site.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday day tickets, Weekend General and High Falootin’ VIP tickets, Family and Group tickets, General and Premium camping, Live-in Vehicle, Pitch & Park, and Glamping packages are all on sale now via thelongroad.com.
Image credits: Kezia Tan, Alexander Ward
In this article: Maren Morris, Bailey Zimmerman, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, The Shires, Hayley Jensen, Lizzie No, Knucklehead, Luca Fogale, Dan Byrnes, The 502s, Josh Ross, Shakey Graves, The Felice Brothers, Striking Matches, Jim Lauderdale, Kezia Gill, Rose Betts, Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, Nashville, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Hozier, Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Baylen Leonard, Don McLean. Generated by Wikidata Schema Link Builder.
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