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) The Long Road takes place every summer in the grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire.
James Bay @ Royal Albert Hall
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 Bay. “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!”
James Bay @ Royal Albert Hall
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 below 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.
Seasick Steve @ Glastonbury Festival 2024
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.
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