drake milligan

The Long Road Announces First Wave Of Artists For 2025, Including Headliners Midland and Drake Milligan

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The first wave of performers includes major U.S. headliners Midland and Drake Milligan, and a wealth of acclaimed artists from across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, such as BRIT, Mercury Prize and GRAMMY nominee Seasick Steve, GRAMMY winner Fantastic Negrito, ARIA & Golden Guitar winner Fanny Lumsden, and RIAA Class of 2024 artist Alana Springsteen.

A festival for music lovers on the search for something new, the carefully curated selection of artists joining those listed above include: Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Alana Springsteen, Evan Honer, Gareth, Elles Bailey, Ashley Monroe, Fancy Hagood, Trousdale, Halle Kearns, Kim Churchill, Rainbow Girls, Will Varley & the Southern Rust, Simeon Hammond Dallas, Steady Habits, Janet Devlin, Jaywalkers and a European summer exclusive performance from Chuck Ragan. Speaking with festival co-founder Baylen Leonard on Absolute Radio Country today, Midland frontman Mark Wystrach shared the band’s excitement about performing at The Long Road for the first time: “Getting to play our first [UK] outdoor festival in a beautiful setting, and getting to be headliners is gonna be amazing.”

In addition to main stage performances, stages hosted by returning partners Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, and new stage partner Snakefarm Records, The Long Road will feature Nashville-style songwriter rounds, artist meet and greet opportunities, and afterparties where fans can dance the night away. 

More than just a music festival, audiences flock to The Long Road year after year to soak up the Country lifestyle – with U.S. inspired street food and American BBQ, craft beers, dedicated line dancing sessions, campfires, vintage funfair rides, a kids camp, Country-oke, the Lucky Dice Classic Car & Bike show and more – and to experience a family-friendly atmosphere that fulfils the promise of its familiar motto, “Welcome home old friend”.

Check out the 2024 aftermovie here to get a glimpse of what’s in store.

Catering for kings and queens of the open road and lovers of life under canvas in the great outdoors alike, a variety of accommodation options are available: from General Camping; a tree-lined Premium Campsite with upscale amenities closer to the main arena; Live-in Vehicle Fields; Pitch & Park, the luxurious Elwood Park riverside Glamping, now provided by festival veterans and luxury experience specialists Green Yurts. From 2025, payment plans will be available to make Glamping more affordable than ever, while offering luxurious options for those who want a little extra. In addition to the on-site accommodation options, there are also Off Road Lodgings and shuttle bus packages available to purchase in collaboration with local hotels.

Now in its sixth year, The Long Road is delighted to announce several new elements to the festival, to celebrate the growth of the country family and welcome new friends as well:

  • For the first time, and for Long Roaders attending all weekend, the Rhinestone Stage (main stage) will open from Friday afternoon. This means an even bigger Friday night party, more live performances—including a U.K. exclusive headline set from Drake Milligan—and even more reasons to go all in for the full weekend. Friday will be exclusively available to all weekend Camping and No Camping ticket holders.
  • Renowned as a platform for showcasing new artists and creating unforgettable memories, The Long Road is also introducing a brand-new sixth stage for 2025: another undercover venue, complete with a hard wood floor perfect for line dancing at the festival. This dedicated space will stay true to The Long Road’s style, with its own unique identity, drawing inspiration from U.S. culture and embodying authentic country charm and aesthetics, and will host songwriter rounds, line dancing, artist conversations, intimate performances, quizzes, and more.
  • Additionally, 2025 brings Early Camping Access; the Live-In Vehicles campsite, for campervans and caravans, will be open from Thursday August 21 as an optional paid Add On, so early arrivals can settle in, soak up the vibes and gear up for a boot-stompin’ Friday and unforgettable weekend!

The Long Road Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 2025. Weekend, Camping, Day, Kids and VIP tickets available now: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets.

“The Long Road transports you to the States with its BBQ food, Kentucky bourbon masterclasses, a Honky-tonk bar, and an exciting line-up of country music stars.” – The Standard

“Country fans, this one is for you. Get a slide of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place” – Cosmopolitan

“The Long Road delivers it all. It’s an authentic, immersive and welcoming family friendly experience” – Grazia

“Phenomenal… The Long Road continues to cement its legacy as one of England’s premiere country music festivals” – Holler

Line-up Announced Today [A-Z]

Alana Springsteen ★ Ashley Monroe ★ Charles Wesley Godwin ★ Chuck Ragan ★ Drake Milligan ★ Elles Bailey ★ Evan Honer ★ Fancy Hagood ★ Fanny Lumsden ★ Fantastic Negrito ★ Gareth ★ Halle Kearns ★ Janet Devlin ★ Jaywalkers ★ Kim Churchill ★ Larry Fleet ★ Midland ★ Rainbow Girls ★ Seasick Steve ★ Simeon Hammond Dallas ★ Steady Habits ★ Trousdale ★ Will Varley & The Southern Rust

Plus many more acts still to come…

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JAMES BAY TO HEADLINE SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE LONG ROAD 2025

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LONDON, U.K. – (April 3, 2025) – The Long Road Festival returns for its biggest year ever in August 2025, today announcing that multiple Brit Award winner, Ivor Novello recipient and GRAMMY nominee James Bay will close the festival as Sunday night’s headliner, adding to previously announced U.S. headline artists Drake Milligan (Friday) and Midland (Saturday).

Set for the August Bank Holiday weekend (Aug. 22-24), and described by DIY as a “haven of country, Americana and roots” music and culture, The Long Road takes place every summer in the grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire.

James Bay, an acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer who will be making his first appearance at The Long Road, released his fourth studio album Changes All The Time last year via Mercury/Republic Records. His seminal, multi-Platinum, UK #1 debut Chaos and the Calm, featuring hits ‘Hold Back The River’ and ‘Let It Go’ was recorded at the famed Blackbird Studio in Nashville with multiple GRAMMY-winning producer Jacquire King, and he has returned to Music City to record and perform frequently throughout his career.

“Country and Americana have always been huge inspirations for me,” shares James. “So much of my music has roots in Nashville – I’ve been lucky to play some of the city’s iconic venues like the Bluebird and the Ryman and I’ve always been drawn to the incredible storytelling in these genres. I can’t wait to close out The Long Road 2025, headlining the Rhinestone Stage on Sunday, August 24th – it’s going to be a special one!”

His acclaimed new album features collaborations with Noah Kahan and The Lumineers on lead single ‘Up All Night’, and writing collaborations with The Killers’ Brandon Flowers (‘Easy Distraction’) and Holly Humberstone (‘Dogfight’).

Having amassed over 9 billion streams to date, and performed alongside musical icons such as Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow, who he just revealed will feature on his next release, Bay upholds traditions of timeless songcraft while confidently challenging himself and popular music in equal measure.

The festival’s Creative Director, Baylen Leonard, adds: “At The Long Road, we’re all about celebrating the best in country, roots, Americana, and always looking to broaden our lineup with something for every music lover. James Bay is one of the finest singer-songwriters out there and is the perfect complement to what we do. Can’t wait for the Sunday sing-along!”

Other artists joining The Long Road lineup today include French rising star Bobbie; acclaimed Canadian-British folk collaborators Bonnie Dobson & the Hanging Stars; Chris Linton; New Orleans-based sibling duo Crowe Boys; homegrown multiple UK Americana Music Award winners Danny & The Champions of the World; Irish-born, Nashville-based folk-pop singer/songwriter Darren Kiely; the self-described “Filipino Cowboy” David Unlayao; Texan Denitia, whose traditional country influences have found her at home as a touring member of the Black Opry artist collective and named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country; Evan Bartels, and First Time Flyers.

Louisiana native and two-time GRAMMY winner Gill Landry also joins the bill, previously a member of Old Crow Medicine Show, who recorded his latest solo album Cinnamon Canyon Blues (2024) in London; along with New Orleans rock ‘n’ roll band Greazy Alice; Jade Turner; Kellie Loder; hit songwriter and Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch Mackenzie Carpenter; Nolan Taylor; Robbie Cavanagh; London roots rock band The Rockingbirds; and renowned Oregon-born artist The White Buffalo, whose music has been featured in numerous films and television shows, from Logan and The Punisher to This Is Us and Sons of Anarchy, the latter earning him a Primetime Emmy nomination.

Check out the 2024 aftermovie here to get a glimpse of what’s in store.

Described by Cosmopolitan as “a slice of stateside culture with some of the biggest acts all in one place,” the carefully curated lineup also includes Seasick Steve, Fantastic Negrito, Alana Springsteen, Larry Fleet, Charles Wesley Godwin, Elles Bailey, Ashley Monroe, Fancy Hagood, Janet Devlin, and a European summer exclusive performance from Chuck Ragan.

More than just a wealth of established acts, The Long Road has been at the forefront of helping music fans discover some of the most exciting new artists from across the world, and this year is no exception, with stages hosted by partners Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, and for the first time, Country & Americana powerhouse label Snakefarm Records; along with Nashville-style songwriter rounds, artist meet and greet opportunities, and afterparties.

Returning for its sixth year, The Long Road recently announced several new elements for 2025, to welcome new friends and celebrate the growth of the country family. Audiences will be treated to performances across six stages; The Rhinestone Stage (main stage) – opening from Friday afternoon for weekend ticket holders for the first time this year; the Interstate; The Front Porch; Buddy’s, a country bar nestled among woodland; The Showground, where numerous artists from both sides of the pond have made their debut at the festival; and a brand-new sixth stage, with more details to follow.

The Long Road Festival runs from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24 2025. Weekend, Camping, Day, Kids and VIP tickets available now: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets.

Additional artists announced today [A-Z]:

Bobbie ★ Bonnie Dobson & the Hanging Stars ★ Chris Linton ★ Crowe Boys ★ Danny & The Champions of the World ★ Darren Kiely ★ David Unlayao ★ Denitia ★ Evan Bartels ★ First Time Flyers ★ Gill Landry ★ Greazy Alice ★ Jade Turner ★ James Bay ★ Kellie Loder ★ Mackenzie Carpenter ★ Nolan Taylor ★ Robbie Cavanagh ★ The Rockingbirds ★ The White Buffalo

Full lineup here

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