The Sunday of The Long Road was once again STACKED for us, lineup-wise. So, just to warn you, there’s going to be lots of gushing on this last page.
The first band we saw on the Interstate were honestly phenomenal. Holy Moly and the Crackers are so much better live than on track, and that’s saying something as they are really pretty good on track! They have a bit more of a folky, bouncy feel to them live, while on the tracks it feels a little more hard rock and grungy. Neither sides of the band are bad, but the energy they give off live is infectious and outstanding.
For a smallish band that aren’t too close to the typical music style on the third morning of the festival, they had a pretty busy crowd moving dancing along to every song. And, considering they had a frontwoman who, while massively charismatic, can’t move around quite as much, it’s one hell of an achievement. I’ve been listening to them a lot since I got home, and will definitely be getting tickets to see them again on their tour in November!
After that we headed to see another fast rising country star, Alana Springsteen. I’ve been a fan of her since she was announced, and her album that was released the other week was pretty damn great. Much like a lot over the weekend, she lived up to my hype of her and then some! Much like a fair bit of the big stuff on the bill, it’s the usual female-led pop country. However, it’s done so well, and Alana has one hell of a stage presence about her.
Rattling off some of her big hit singles, as well some great album tracks from TWENTY SOMETHING (and saying the word tequila a potential record time in one set), it was one hell of a set. She’s already on track to be a huge name in the scene, and live shows like this are definitely going to help. Also, shoutout to her British session players, who smashed it.
On our way over towards the Interstate we stopped and caught a fair bit of Laketown. Though I wasn’t really familiar with them at all going into it, I really enjoyed them. It was also nice to see another full band on the Front Porch, especially when it was so many solo acoustic acts on it last year. The three guys put on a fun show and definitely won me over!
Then it was another duo I was hugely excited for, The War and Treaty. To say they lived up to the hype would be a massive understatement. Honestly, this was more an experience than a live set. I don’t think they were expecting the kind of reception and packed out crowd. They clearly got rather emotional at one or two points during the set. However, it just made the crowd response that much greater and willed Michael and Tanya on even more.
Their voices are absolutely incredible and pair together perfectly. I’ve not really heard any soul live and this was the very best way to introduce me to the sound. The whole band did incredibly behind them, but the couple were on a level above all others. It was the loudest I had ever heard that tent be, and it’s my favourite set of the weekend. I LOVE this band!
It was back over to the main stage after that for the amazing Caylee Hammock. Another woman who I have been a fan of since the announcement, she put on a great show and sounded amazing live. Her slightly lighter, more folky spin on country went down a storm with the crowd, and her voice was hauntingly beautiful at times. ‘Just Friends’ and ‘Family Tree’ were personal favourites, but the whole set was great!
TikTok sensation Breland was up next. Honestly, this could have easily headlined the festival, and he certainly treated it like a headline show! Bringing out guests to sing duets with like Alana Springsteen and Kezia Gill was a lot of fun, and the crowd loved both. Between that and rattling out crowd favourite after crowd favourite, it was a truly awesome set. And, just like War & Treaty, it really enhances the experience of a show when the artist is clearly enjoying themselves too. Breland was having a blast here. I cannot pick a single fault with his set, and he’s a born performer. He’s another that is going to be massive sooner rather than later.
Folk superstar Sierra Ferrell was next on the Interstate stage. A packed out tent greeted Ferrell as her and her band took the stage, and despite some early technical issues the set was clearly a hit with the crowd. Opening with a new track ‘Making My Way’ the group then dived into some larger hits from Ferrell’s debut album Long Time Coming released in 2021. Six tracks in and we are given another new unreleased song called ‘Fox Hunt’, for which Ferrell drops her guitar in exchange for a violin as does one of her band members. ‘Fox Hunt’ is a foot-stomping anthem honouring ancestors that had to hunt for survival, keep an ear out for this one when it does get released.
Festival sets can always be a bit tricky, its a fine balance between playing to your dedicated fans that are there for you and those in the crowd that are experiencing your music for the first time. The mix of new tracks, old
tracks, hits and a cover played to all parts of the audience and I doubt anyone came away from this set not counting themselves a fan of Ferrell.
Shane Smith & The Saints were another HUGE highlight of the festival. I’m a big fan of the band and have been watching a lot of their live performances in the leadup, so knew what to be expecting. However, hearing the band being this good live and in person is still mind-blowing. His low, raspy voice is incredible, and complimented perfectly by the rest of the band behind him. And every single one played their hearts out, putting on one hell of a performance. No wonder they’re getting massive in the US, and fingers crossed that success will now follow them across the pond!
Next up was the bittersweet Sunday headliner, Cam. The last minute replacement of Jon Pardi (who dropped out of his whole European tour the week before because… reasons?), there was a whole heap of pressure on the woman. You wouldn’t have guessed it at all, as Cam smashed it out of the park. Honestly, I think this is a lot of people’s set of the weekend. She is a festival alumni, having played back in the before times, so having a lot of the crowd familiar with her and already a big fan certainly helped.
However, Cam certainly brought it as well, putting on an effortlessly spectacular performance. I laughed, I cried, I sung along, and had the time of my life. She’s another artist that I’ve listened to nearly non stop since I got home, and for good reason. I think it’s the best headline set I’ve seen in the two years I’ve been going. ‘Diane’ is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had live. I really hope she tours over here again soon, as I’d recommend her to anyone!
The final after show act was the awesome Megan Moroney. I hate the fact that this was the first chance I had to see her over the weekend. And I heard she was very good on the Rhinestone stage earlier in the day. However, between interviews and clashes, we just couldn’t make it happen. Much like a lot of this review, hopefully she tours over here so I can see her properly!
However, just in the brief acoustic after show set we saw, she was amazing. Her voice is incredible and her songwriting talent is off the charts. I’m a big fan of her last album and LOVED everything she played off it. She’s another natural performer who had the crowd in the palm of her hand throughout. A damn good way to close out the festival!
And there we have it, folks. Another fantastic year of The Long Road festival under our belts. One of the best weekends ever, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year!