There arenât many British festivals that get American roots music as right as The Long Road. One of the UKâs biggest celebrations of country and Americana, it made a stellar debut last September. BGS is thrilled to be heading back to Stanford Hall, Leicestershire, where weâre once more curating the Honky Tonk stage in the afternoon on Sunday.
Here are just a few highlights heading your way at one of the most epic festival weekends of the year:
Friday, 6 September
Youâve just got away from work and youâre still feeling a bit stressed. Can we recommend you head straight for Jake Morrell at the Honky Tonk, and let this Nashville-by-way-of-Norfolk singer ease your pain?
Failing that, Katy Hurt is opening the Interstate stage, with The Cactus Blossoms following straight behind. If youâre still needing some catharsis, donât miss Sam Outlawâs set; if youâre ready to party, the CC Smugglers will help you shake it all off. With fifteen acts across three stages, thereâs plenty to warm you up for the big two days ahead.
Saturday, 7th September
Where to start? Is it Jessie Buckleyâs intimate lunchtime set, which we guarantee will have a crowd spilling out of the sides of the Honky Tonk? Or Jake Morrell of the Civil Wars on the Interstate stage? From the searing honesty of Roseanne Reid, to Curse of Lonoâs Gothic rock show, to the out-and-out hilarity of Rich Hallâs Hoedown, thereâs something for every mood.
Thereâs also an all-day schedule of ridiculously entertaining activities including a lasso workshop, the Cowboy Olympics and a hot dog eating contest. Oh, and did we mention that Kip Moore is headlining on the Rhinestone Stage? Yeah, that Kip Moore.
Sunday, 8th September
We think thisâll be the best day — but then, weâre biased, because from 2pm onwards, weâre getting to handpick who plays in our own personal Honky Tonk bar, and that includes Rose Cousins, Beth Rowley, and Jessica Mitchell. Weâre also hosting the Long Roadâs first ever Songwriting Parlour, led by Matt the Electrician, in the intimate, in-the-round style of the Bluebird CafĂ© in Nashville.
What else do you want — Rhiannon Giddens? Asleep at the Wheelâs first UK performance in 10 years? A DJ set from the Flying Mojito Brothers? Oh all right then, you can have them. Theyâre on the stage next door. And with BGSâs takeover ending at 8.15 pm, we wonât even take it personally if you head off for Josh Turnerâs headline set.