11 April 2024 – The UK’s home for country, Americana and roots music and culture, The Long Road, announces its second wave of lineup additions for the highly anticipated festival this summer. Building on the excitement generated by the first announcement, the second headliner and a fresh crop of talent are now bound for Stanford Hall, Leicestershire in the heart of the English countryside from 23rd to 25th August 2024.

Leading the charge for this year's lineup is the legendary American singer-songwriter Don McLean, making his only UK live appearance at the festival this year. Renowned for his enduring classics like "American Pie" and "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)," as well as his cover of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” which reached number 1 in the UK, Don’s music tells an evocative story of the American experience and resonates with people around the world. Whilst rooted in American folk music, Don’s most recent original album release ‘Botanical Gardens’ was recorded in Nashville and traverses an array of old fashioned country, honky-tonk and rock & roll styles, which led to McLean making his debut on country music’s most famous stage last month, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. McLean's Saturday headlining performance promises to be a highlight of the festival, captivating audiences as he plays all the favourites.

Don McLean said: “I am delighted to return to England to perform at The Long Road Festival. Since I have decided to stop doing bus tours of distant destinations, I will still return for special performances. I love England and look forward to seeing my audience again."

Joining McLean on the lineup are a diverse array of talents spanning various genres within the wide country and Americana spectrum. The newly announced artists include the likes of Paula Cole making her first ever performance in the UK at TLR this year. The acclaimed singer-songwriter from Massachusetts is known for hits like "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" and the Dawson’s Creek theme "I Don't Want to Wait", and also made history at the 1998 Grammy Awards when she became the first woman in Grammy history to be nominated as Producer of the Year for her work on her album "Amen". The Long Road is excited to reveal the addition of Nashville’s Ron Pope, who gained significant recognition when his song "A Drop in the Ocean" went viral, propelling him to international fame and leading to millions of streams worldwide.

Elsewhere indie folk leaning bands bringing lush harmonies and infectious melodies like The National Parks, Alan Power & The Take Twos and the unique duo Campbell Jensen, plus a wealth of captivating Americana artists including Liverpool's Robert Vincent and Louisiana’s Dylan LeBlanc.

Proudly representing queer country at TLR is Katie Pruitt with her folk-rooted sounds and Brooke Eden, a rising country pop artist from Florida. TV fans will recognise Florence Pugh’s brother Toby Sebastian, who has not only been touted by Rolling Stone as one to watch in 2023 but also played the part of Trystane Martell in the HBO series Game of Thrones. TLR 2022 favourites Gangstagrass are back from Brooklyn this year with their unique and addictive blend of hip hop and bluegrass, and representing more of the UK’s hometown sounds this year as part of The Round Up with Two Ways Home will be Dolly Mavies, Gasoline & Matches and Joe Martin.

All these names and more join an already stellar line up of previously announced acts, including Sunday Rhinestone main stage headliner Russell Dickerson, plus Wyatt Flores, Flatland Cavalry, Randall King, Red Clay Strays, American Aquarium, Chapel Hart, Pokey Lafarge, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Colbie Caillat, Brittney Spencer, Remember Monday, Jamie Lawson and more across the festival’s five stages and creative performance spaces, plus stage takeovers hosted by Loose Music and Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer.

Commenting on today’s announcement, TLR’s Tennessee-born Creative Director Baylen Leonard said: “You can’t think about the last 60 odd years of American music and popular culture without the work of Don McLean springing to mind, so I couldn’t be more excited to present this legendary artist as our Saturday headliner. It will be the only chance to see him live in the UK this year, and with his timeless hits and having just made his Grand Ole Opry debut, this will be a moment to remember for Long Roaders for sure. Alongside Don, we can’t wait to host even more of the acts we love so dearly at Stanford Hall in August, with some, like Paula Cole, making their first appearance in the UK with us. There really is something for everyone as we continue to celebrate all the different sounds under this big umbrella called country. It’s set to be a weekend filled with the chance to find new favourites and friends, as well as witnessing iconic moments for the ages… The countdown begins!”

Following a sold out event in 2023 and now boasting its largest capacity yet, The Long Road is one of the UK’s fastest growing festivals. Offering more than just music, it's a celebration of everything that makes Country and Americana culture so special. With a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, the festival champions the versatility of the genre and its diverse range of sound and styles, and is ultimately here to bring people together by fostering connections and shared experiences. With country music’s ability to tap into the very essence of the human experience through authentic storytelling, honesty and emotional depth, there’s always something new and exciting to discover every summer.

In addition to the incredible line-up, The Long Road will also offer a range of fun activities for families of all ages and vendors selling incredible stateside street food featuring the very best in the art of true BBQ style and campfire cooking. From the Sounds Familiar Music Quiz (new for 2024), to late night entertainment at the Buck n' Bull and Yee Haw after parties, and live Countryoke at Buddy’s Bar, there's something here for everyone. Firm favourites remain during the day with The Lucky Dice Classic Car and Bike Show, Wild Swimming and Mechanical Bull Rides as well as the exceptional craft beer and liquor bar to round out the whole experience. Plus there’s plenty of dog friendly activities to entertain the furry companions at TLR, who can join in with Tootles & Nibs Dog Show, The Country Costume Parade, talent show The Rex Factor and The Gauntlet of Temptation.

Accommodating all, there’s a range of camping and glamping options, including Pitch & Park and Live-in Vehicle areas for RV’s of every size. Guests can also take advantage of a luxury glamping experience and really make The Long Road a home away from home for the weekend. Due to popular demand, The Long Road has increased the camping capacity for 2024, giving more people the chance to spend their bank holiday weekend in the gorgeous grounds of Stanford Hall.

The Long Road festival takes place 23rd to 25th August 2024 at Stanford Hall, Leicestershire. Saturday and Sunday Day Tickets go on sale from 9am Thursday 11th April, alongside a range of final release Weekend, Camping, High Falootin’ VIP, Live-In Vehicle and Pitch & Park ticket options, all are available via: https://www.thelongroad.com/tickets/