Festival Preview: End of the Road 2025
Hidden between Dorset and Wiltshire, in the beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens, is one of the UK’s best festivals - End Of The Road. Held at the end of August/first weekend of September every year, End Of The Road feels like the last hurrah, the final goodbye, before summer ends. Those who have been before will no doubt agree to this, but it really is one of the best, most magical festivals around, a real hidden gem.
Showcasing a mix of indie-rock, punk, alternative and folk rock, End Of The Road’s lineups are second to none, often hosting acts well before they become “big names.” With an abundance of stages, hidden, and secret sets, End Of The Road has something for everyone. This year is no different, with a standout lineup across music, comedy, literature and more.
Gracing the Woods stage (the biggest stage at the festival) with their presence this year are a list of incredible bands and artists, including Self Esteem, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory, Westside Cowboy, Caribou, Mount Kimbie, Squid and Father John Misty.
Self Esteem a.k.a Rebecca Lucy Taylor, who has just released her incredible third, and possibly best, album, A Complicated Woman, is set to headline the Woods stage on Saturday night. Guaranteed to draw in a big crowd, Self Esteem’s live performances are simply out of this world, empowering, moving, fun. It’s a set not to be missed. Canadian DJ Caribou will headline on Friday night, his psychedelic, electro-dance music has End Of The Road written all over it, and will undoubtedly be a phenomenal set, whilst Brighton’s indie-rock piece Squid, favourites at End Of The Road, will take to the stage on Sunday evening, before folk-rock artist Father John Misty.
One of the best stages to discover your next favourite band or artist is the Folly, which hosts a lot of up-and-coming acts and hidden talents. Last year the stage hosted Irish post-punk five-piece Gurriers, the phenomenal NewDad and the riotous rockers, Lambrini Girls. This year, the Folly has another lineup full of ones to watch. Theatre, a four-piece from Limerick, Ireland, are sure to be favourites. End Of The Road organisers describe them as an “if-you-know-you-know sensation.” A mix of ethereal rock and folk, Theatre are an act you need to see to believe (because they haven’t officially released any music yet), and the mystery of them is half the fun. Kicking off the show at the Folly on Thursday evening are Bristol duo, Getdown Services, who describe themselves as “disco rock.” Honestly, they’re outrageously good fun, as most Bristolians are and will definitely draw in a big crowd. Other Folly performers include Jasmine.4.t, Slow Fiction, bdrmm and Warhaus.
Swedish post-punkers Viagra Boys, whose fourth album (viagr aboys) came out in April, are headlining the Garden stage on Saturday, with Lisa O’Neill, Emma-Jean Thackery, Personal Trainer and the incredible folk band Black Country, New Road also set to take the stage over the weekend. Down at the Big Top, Moonchild Sanelly (one of Self Esteem’s many collaborators, who is also playing the same day, just saying), DIIV, mary in the junkyard, Joy Orbison, Miso Extra and many more incredible acts can be found.
In between checking out the music, you can wander through Effing Forest, home to The Boat, where you may discover another favourite artist (RIP Magic, Jackie O Motherfucker, BLACK FONDU and Astrid Sonne are there this year), enjoy the views on the Ferris Wheel or sing your heart at out late-night Karaoke (a fan favourite every year.) Hidden in the woods is also the Piano Stage, where if you’re lucky you’ll catch a secret set. Towards Effing Forest you can also discover the Healing Fields and the Games area, both perfect for killing some time between acts. The comedy stage this year has beloved podcaster Adam Buxton, as well as Grace Campbell, Harriet Kemsley and Celya Ab, while Shon Faye and Holly Dawson will be over at the literature tent.
End Of The Road has something for literally everyone - party-goers, Radio 6 music lovers, families, forest-ravers, book lovers, you name it. It’s a hidden gem that probably won’t stay that hidden for much longer, considering the lineups get better and better every year. If seeing out the end of summer, surrounded by fun, like-minded people, sounds right up your street, then make your way down to Larmer Tree Gardens for this year's End Of The Road.
When: 28th - 31st August
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens.
Must See Recommendations: Theatre, mary in the junkyard, Self Esteem, RIP Magic, Getdown Services, Squid, Moonchild Sanelly, Caribou, Slow Fiction, Black Country, New Road.
Tickets: Buy here
