Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Queens Of The Stone Age have today unveiled details of their eagerly awaited Catacombs European Tour – a string of uniquely atmospheric shows inspired by their acclaimed 2024 Alive In The Catacombs performance. The tour, set for October 2025, will include a standout UK date at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 29th October, promising a rare and intimate reimagining of the band’s formidable back catalogue.

As the sun began to dip behind the trees in Hyde Park on 11th July, a throng of festival-goers packed into the Rainbow Stage area, drawn by the magnetic presence of German-Canadian artist Alice Merton. The singer-songwriter—best known for her breakout hit No Roots—delivered a punchy, emotionally agile set that brought the stage to a vibrant close, just before Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts took the spotlight over on the festival’s main Great Oak Stage.

Anglo-American alt-rock icons Placebo have announced This Search For Meaning, a four-disc deluxe collection arriving 12th September via SO Recordings. The package offers a comprehensive portrait of the band’s current creative era, combining introspective documentary filmmaking with live performance energy and exclusive music content.