Why are festivals like End Of The Road so important ? Never before in the history of music has new music had to compete with legacy music. These days technology makes hits out of music from the past. Think Kate Bush and Fleetwood Mac on Tik Tok and Netflix. Unlike the big commercial festivals End Of The Road favours new music.

My personal highlights from the 17th End Of The Road music festival (in order of performance).

Charlotte Cornfield : rootsy incredible vibes, 3 piece guitar bass drums. Horse Lords hypnotic off key heavyweight grooves, walls of sound. Lunge lovely synth punky vibes. Angel Olsen all round ace. Flohio pure class mc, great energy. Greentea Peng awesome infectious uplifting sound. Personal Trainer : great songs, such fun, interesting instrumental sections too. Moin hypnotic post punk textures. Caroline experimental contemporary, soundscapes on The Garden stage. Wet Leg this years surprise act. Nice programming touch ! 

There was a beautiful moment on Saturday evening, aptly before Future Islands when the moon looked like it was landing in the field lit up brightly orange like Mars. Future Islands other worldly anthems, unique vocals, electro synth pop, head and shoulders my favourite music of the weekend. Incredible showmanship. High kicks, lunges, like Thanos prancing around the stage. Thanks Mike :)

End of the Road Festival is a yearly music festival held in the gorgeous Larmer Tree Gardens, at the border of Dorset and Wiltshire. Last weekend my sixth year attending.

Special mention to the legend that is Ronan Ringo Music Bingo who has been making us laugh at End Of The Road for years (and my wife’s 40th). Thank you for the Simon Munnery tip off. His show topped off an incredible weekend. Side splittingly funny !

We arrived late and left before the end. Gutted to have missed HMLTD and Jessica Winter (from my favourite label Lucky Number Music. EOTR 2023 you didn’t disappoint.

End Of The Road is essential for new music. See you next year !

#newmusic #summer #september2023