Long Road Festival Highlights 27th - 30th August 2026

Always one of my musical highlights of the year and the wet and muddy weather did not dampen the spirit.

Dolly Parton featured heavily over the weekend with lots of artists playing tribute to the legend of Country music

Friday 27th August Highlights

Bobby Dove

It was lovely to see Canadian artist Bobby Dove on the acoustic Front Porch stage where she sang songs from her current album Fortune Teller.

Striking Matches

The duo comprises Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis and was formed in 2007. Since then they have released a studio album and have been featured eight times on the popular TV series Nashville.

I enjoyed hearing their brand new single called I Remember Appalachia. Check it out.

Steve Earle

It was great to see Steve Earle again and I was pleased it was acoustic.

Steve has a great stage presence and a subtle sense of humour and it was nice to hear his hits.

It was also good to hear his new duet with Zandi Holup who he brought onto the main stage.

Shortly afterwards the most beautiful rainbow appeared

Smithfield

Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith grew up in Texas and moved to Nashville together in 2012 to become musicians.

I liked their acoustic set on the Front Porch. Check out Smithfield’s brand new album called Country With Heart Part 2.

Harper O'Neill

I have seen Harper a few times now, nice to see her again and the rain held off.

The Shires

Ben and Chrissie rounded off Friday perfectly, singing classic songs and ones from their new album Bonfire which included hits like Getway Car and Watching You Watching Me.

Saturday 28th August Highlights

Brennen Leigh

Brennen was one of the artists I was most looking forward to seeing as I had only seen her briefly once before. It was a double bill as I caught the end of her Interstate set.

and the beginning of her Front Porch set where luckily the rain held off.

Brennen kept it nice and traditional, singing a mix of songs from her accolade of albums. What a joy hearing her live.

Zandi Holup

I really enjoyed this entire set which was mostly acoustic, with Zandi on guitar with a fine fiddle player supporting her.

She sang most of the songs from her album Wildflower which I played a lot when it came out and announced she has new music coming soon. I waded across the mud to the Merch tent to meet her and have a photo taken.

Zandi was possibly my favourite act of the weekend. Definitely one to watch!

Ronnie Wood

An unusual choice to headline a country festival and opinion was very mixed. However, I always judge for myself and I have to say I enjoyed what I saw, notably his rendition of Your Cheatin’ Heart.

Sadly at 10pm it started to pour with rain so I raced to catch the shuttle bus as I knew it would be a mass exodus and was concerned I may not get on it.

Sunday 29th August Highlights

Sarah Jane Scouten

Her intended set on Buddy's was sadly cancelled due to the weather, so it was lovely to hear three acoustic numbers on the Front Porch stage thanks to her friend Riley Downing who invited her to take his stage.

Lily Fitts

Hailing from Topsfield, Massachusetts, Lily is a fine young talent who burst onto the scene with her debut album Getting By.

Kezia Gill

I have watched Kezia rise up from an unknown artist to a star. She commands the stage as well as any artist from the US and I adored her jacket which she customised herself especially for Long Road. Her tribute to Dolly Parton Coat of Many Colors was my favourite Dolly tribute and it showed her voice to perfection.

I also enjoyed If Heaven has a Honky Tonk which also referenced newest member Dolly, (replacing Elvis on the original track), alongside other greats we have lost like Toby Keith, Jerry Lee and Patsy Cline.

Jim Lauderdale

Another fine traditionalist and perfect choice for the Front Porch. I’ve seen Jim a number of times before but I still enjoyed seeing him again.

He treated us to well-known country classics and songs from his new album Country Hits Volume 2, 20 years after the release of Country Hits. The irony is that none of them were actually hits!

Emily Scott Robinson

I enjoyed seeing and meeting Emily when she performed here in 2023 (I thought it was last year, yet it was actually 3 years!). Since then she has grown so much and her Interstate set was perfect, notably her classy tribute to Dolly, Little Sparrow.

I met a lovely couple on the train home who had come especially to see Emily and they had bought a copy of her current album Appalachia on vinyl.

Anne Wilson

Anne delivered a solid set but the sound could have been better. I enjoyed her rendition of I Will Always Love You, her hit Strong and her new single Who I am To You. I was disappointed she did not sing Mamas though as that is one of my favourite line dances.

Emmylou Harris

At 79 years old Emmylou is hanging up her travelling shoes after almost 60 years as a professional musician. Billed as her farewell show, I was pleased to be part of it.

She sang all of the hits and her musicians complimented her superbly.

Despite the forecast the rain held off for her set which was the perfect end to my weekend.

Check out my video Highlights on YouTube MC Videos