End Of The Road Day 1 -Bonnie “Prince” Billy makes festival debut
End Of The Road Festival
29 August – 1 September at Larmer Tree Garden
Bonnie “Prince” Billy, a long awaited End Of The Road headliner proved more than worth the wait bringing the first day to an extraordinary close amongst stellar sets from Richard Dawson, Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble, Plantoid, Newdad and more.
On a blistering late Summer’s morning, End Of The Road festival threw open their gates at the stunning Larmer Tree Gardens welcoming a record number of guests on the opening day of the SOLD OUT 2024 edition. Kicking things off over at The Folly stage were winners of Play EOTR 2024, SOMOH, who set the tone with a mix of bedroom pop and indie rock ahead of Plantoid who serenaded a packed tent with their jazz-tinged psych-rock. Frenetic and fun performances followed from Gustaf then MSPAINT as Newdad closed the stage with their shimmering indie rock, leaving the audience in a state of blissful reflection.
Over on The Woods stage, the genre defying Laetitia Sadier Source Ensembleopened the main stage with Gallic flair, cosmic sounds and spaceage sophistication. Next up, Richard Dawson took the audience on a journey through his idiosyncratic brand of folk. Performing solo to a huge crowd as the sun came down, Dawson delighted with his mischievous storytelling and virtuosic fingerpicking, confirming himself as a festival favourite.
Closing the day was a long manifested appearance from none other than Bonnie “Prince” Billy, an artist whom festival founder Simon Taffe has been wanting to book since dreaming up End Of The Road Festival in his early 20s. Through the years Simon and Will Oldham have exchanged letters, becoming close friends, but never being able to quite get the timing right for a set. Playing to a captive Woods Stage on Thursday was utterly mesmerising; an emotional and cathartic full-circle moment felt by everyone in attendance.
With the full site opening up today, more magical moments are in store, with sets from IDLES, Slowdive, Yo La Tengo and more, alongside the best in literary talks, comedians, food and activities, all to come.
About End Of The Road Festival
Founded in 2006, the 2024 edition of End Of The Road is its 18th festival. Taking place from 29 August to 1 September at the Larmer Tree Gardens site on the border of Dorset and Wiltshire, the festival welcomes 13,500 attendees across the weekend. The festival has five music stages and will feature over 100 live music performances. End Of The Road also boasts a thrilling comedy and literature programme as well as an eclectic array of the best independent food and drink stalls. Previous years have included stand-up performances from Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Josie Long, Kemah Bob, Rob Auton, Thanyia Moore and Lolly Adefope as well as literature talks from progressive minds like Jeremy Deller, Miki Berenyi, Emma Warren and more.
End Of The Road is committed to being a safe and inclusive space for all its attendees, workers and performers. For more information on their Safer Spaces initiatives and procedures, please click here.
End Of The Road takes pride in being an Eco-Friendly Festival. They have initiatives in place that actively reduce plastic waste, provide clean drinking water, and invest in rewilding and reforesting projects amongst many others. For more information on the festival’s environmental impact, please click here.
Praise for 2023 edition
“The star attraction is ultimately the constant potential to be surprised” ★★★★★ The Guardian
“At End of the Road, the name of the game seems to be variety” ★★★★★ The Independent
“An easygoing weekend where it feels like anything is possible” ★★★★★ The Times
“With every performer at their best, there were no bad acts, no dud night, and no punches pulled at this year’s End of The Road” ★★★★★ Evening Standard
“A spectacle of communal wonderment” ★★★★★ NME
“Like almost everything else at this incredible festival, it’s a genuinely life-affirming experience” UNCUT
“A perfect end to the festival season” Financial Times
“Unlike other festivals it was packed with intriguing, vibrant, essential new stuff from the moment the stages flicked the power on… End Of The Road is an enduring festival because of its civility on the ground and it’s growing disturbance on stage” Loud And Quiet
“The most charming, weird, fun and magical festival in the UK” The Line Of Best Fit
“End Of The Road is the best festival in the UK and attendance is mandatory for all who like their music eclectic and their countryside beautiful” Clash