End of the Road festival this year was one for the ages.
This year, End of the Road offered exceptional headline performances over the four nights, with many stand-outs destined to be remembered for a long time.
From the remarkable Sharon Van Etten on Thursday night with her first headline performance to Father John Misty closing the show on Sunday night with his eccentric style, there were many truly outstanding moments this year.
Thursday was previously a day for pitching tents and exploring the enchanting Effing Forest, but End of the Road now has a full four day programme at Larmer Tree Gardens.
We began our weekend in The Folly, watching La Sécurité, a French-Canadian dance-punk outfit. It was impossible to stand still to the melodic hooks during their energetic set.
Over at the beautiful Woods Stage, Trevor Powers, better known as Youth Lagoon played a charming set. In advance of attending this year’s EOTR, we had explored many of the artists on Spotify playlists and this was one which particularly stood out.
The beauty of End of the Road festival is discovering exciting music for the first time and falling in love with new artists – and we weren’t disappointed this year.
Incorporating snippets of old home videos into the songs, Youth Lagoon was truly one of the highlights of the weekend.
It was hard to believe Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory have not topped the bill at a festival before, but this will certainly not be the last time we see the collective headline after this stunning performance on Thursday night.
While the group aesthetic sounds different than much of her solo material, performed live it is satisfyingly haunting and visceral. Not since St Vincent has EOTR seen such a strong female front the main stage.
Damn right women can headline festivals.
Friday sees the impressive Florist take to the Garden stage – another great discovery for us prior to the festival. With a new band line up, they are a gentle start to the day with their finger-picking folk and psychedelic pop – it’s incredible how much beautiful music there is out there to be heard.
Later, Bombino plays a delightful set, having travelled across from Geneva the previous day and only arriving at the festival with a couple of hours to spare before his set.
It’s always a delight to hear world music at the festival, intertwined with the DJs and indie-guitar rock. Described as the ‘world’s best guitarist’ by Noisey, we could hardly disagree when he plays licks even the late great Prince may have been proud to perform.
We head over to The Boat to catch Jackie O Mother-f*cker but can’t get anywhere near the smaller stage, as it seems to be afloat on a bed of mud.
Talking of world music, returning to the festival this year are GOAT, who must be seen to be believed. Dressed in masks and outlandish costumes, all of the band remain shrouded in mystery. It’s claimed they are just one of many incarnations over the last 30 years of a group from a small, voodoo-worshiping northern town named ‘Korpilombolo‘. Personally, we’ve heard they originate from Gothenburg in Sweden, so possibly, voodoo gives way to Volvo saloons when they’re not performing.
When they sound this good, who cares.
Caribou also return to the festival, this year on the main stage as Friday night headliners. It’s a joyous uplifting set from start to finish. Their live performance of ‘SUN’ does little to change the damp weather, but they try their best to part the clouds.
Saturday begins with a treacherous trip down to the Talking Heads stage to hear Adam Buxton (aka Dr Buckles) record an episode of his popular podcast. The festival has luckily had 8 years of fine weather, but the gods seem to have turned on this festival on the Saturday. Luckily it didn’t dampen spirits or good humour.
Indie royalty Kristin Hersh followed for an Uncut Q&A interview, prior to her set with Throwing Muses later. She is one of the most influential figures on the scene and talked about how she discovered Pixies, who headlined EOTR a couple of years prior. She also reminisced about lost friends including the incredible Vic Chesnutt, and another collaborator, Michael Stipe.
Kristin did not disappoint later in the day when she played the majority of songs from the new Throwing Muses album ‘Moonlight Concessions‘.
As with all great festivals, there was an almighty clash on Saturday night (…well ok Friday night also between Caribou and The National frontman Matt Berninger.)
We opted for Self Esteem on the main Woods stage, although it was tough to leave behind Viagra Boys on The Garden Stage.
Singer Rebecca Lucy Taylor presented a unique theatrical performance of her album ‘A Complicated Woman‘. initially dressed in nun’s outfit, (think The Handmaid’s Tale), she switched into a more provocative sports outfit, for her song ‘69‘, while calling out other favoured sexual positions. It was another incredibly powerful performance and although more choreographed and mainstream than your usual EOTR set, it was an emotional and inspired booking.
While it was a difficult decision to miss those Viagra Boys, Self Esteem offered us enough stimulants.
Sunday was possibly the most eclectic day and a true reflection of the magic and variety on offer at End of the Road.
It began with comedy from the unmistakeable Stewart Lee. There was quirky, if slightly irksome folk from Shovel Dance Collective, followed by incredible soulful Malian music from Vieux Farka Toure (son of legendary Ali Farka Toure) – one of the most acclaimed international musicians.
Blawan was another highlight, offering some good techno beats for the hardcore few who had any energy left to dance, while Squid celebrated singer Ollie Judge’s birthday, by beginning their set with the menacing ‘Crispy Skin‘, howling ‘Am I The Bad One, Yes, Yes I Am.’
In true crooner style and a fitting end to our festival season, Father John Misty came onstage with a red curtain backdrop. With passion, fire, and strength in his voice, Josh Tillman played his set as though it was a charismatic sermon, prowling the stage in his own inimitable style.
It was a fitting end to another incredible weekend for End of the Road at Larmer Tree Gardens.
Next year, the festival celebrates its 20 year anniversary. It will surely be another magical mix of musical discoveries…so don’t miss out on early-bird tickets when they go on sale shortly.
Use the following official link to get your tickets for 2026: https://endoftheroadfestival.com/tickets/
PHOTOS: GRAHAM TARRANT
WORDS: GRAHAM TARRANT & SAMANTHA MIDDLETON