So, after heading down last year and having an absolute blast, we knew immediately that we’d be heading back to cover it this year. And, this year was the exact same. One of the best weekends of the year, surrounded by some of the best people and checking out some awesome bands and artists. We even got to interview some (more on that later)! But, what did we think to the music of The Long Road 2023? Read on to find out!
The first act we managed to see was Mikaela Finne on the beautiful Front Porch stage. She was the perfect opener for us, too. Her voice was absolutely incredible, powerful yet amazingly controlled. And her talent for songwriting was off the charts. She truly deserved the pretty massive crowd she had, and everyone was clearly hanging on her every word.
Next up were possibly the fastest rising band in the world, First Time Flyers. Only debuting as a band at the start of this year, and this only being their eighth gig, the hype around them is massive. Yet, not only have they gotten themselves a high slot at this festival, but also have a pretty big tour scheduled next month and even supported The Boss himself at BST earlier this year. Heck, I’ve been a fan of theirs since their first single and have been impatiently waiting for this set.
They did not disappoint at all. The sheer talent of playing, singing and songwriting in this collection of four is insane. The harmonies are of course the highlights, giving off big Fleetwood Mac vibes. Heck, they even played part of ‘The Chain’ as I’m sure a nod to that fact. However, each individual voice is also amazing in its own right, and as I mentioned, their songs are amazing too. From ‘Happier’ to ‘Gold’ to ‘Just Friends’, I’d say it already rivals a lot of bands’ back catalogues that have been going considerably longer. And the packed out crowd at the Interstate stage ate up every second of it. The band are going to only go up from here and I’m sure will be absolutely massive sooner rather than later. And this set confirmed that.
After that we headed back across to the Front Porch for local band and crowd favourites Gasoline & Matches. Having been fans at the previous years of the festival, and only being from down the road in Birmingham (as well as being excellent of course), the crowd were pretty familiar with the band, and it was once again packed. And rightfully so, as the band were excellent.
Playing through their back catalogue of great country-rock singles to an adoring crowd is the perfect recipe for an awesome time. However, add in the sexiest of saxophones on top of half of it and damn, they win. They just win. If you ever get the chance to see the band I would recommend it highly, they put on a real special show and sound pitch perfect live. Another band that are going to be huge in the years to come, I’m sure, though they already have their roots deep in the scene!
Next up was the night’s headliner, the fantastic Tenille Townes. The consummate professional put on one of the most polished sets of the weekend, in the best way possible. The Canadian star shows off not just her talent but also experience as her and her band tear down the house with an amazing set. From plenty of awesome originals to surprising covers like Alanis Morissette and Melissa Etheredge, it was a perfectly long, packed set of bangers. Also, her emotional ballads, one with Bryan Adams on track and ‘Jersey on the Wall’, had the tent in tears and were both a particular highlight. Being one of the best frontwomen in the business right now, Tenille had everyone in the palm of her hand through her entire set, and it was a fitting headline slot for sure! Another one I would highly recommend seeing next time she’s close!
We were also treated in the after-show to a second setlist by the amazing Tim Hicks. I was gutted when his set at Buddy’s Good Time Bar clashed with Tenille, so getting to see him afterwards, albeit a little more briefly, was such a relief. While he didn’t have his full band with him for the festival, it was still a damn fun acoustic set that rounded off the night perfectly. Opening on recent single ‘Ye to the Haw’, it got the crowd moving and boogying aplenty. Then, whether it was stuff from his Campfire Troubadour collection or some of his hits, we got a whistle stop tour of some great songs. It’s a shame he didn’t have longer and a full band, and fingers crossed I can see him with both soon!