The End of the Road festival marked its 20th anniversary this year at Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire, described as a ‘vintage year’ by The Guardian. The event fostered a celebratory atmosphere, blending star headliners with fringe experimental acts for its 15,000 attendees.
Two Decades of Independent Music Success
Celebrating two decades since its inception, End of the Road has evolved from its early focus on alt-folk and Americana into a ‘genre-hopping powerhouse’, embracing pop, experimental sounds, and global grooves. This enduring identity, coupled with an ability to expand and adapt, has been central to its longevity, according to The Guardian. The festival maintains a strong independent spirit, remaining free of large corporate sponsors in a landscape where many other festivals are increasingly funded by multinational brands.
A celebratory mood was evident across the site; a piano stage was transformed into a giant birthday cake with candles, and Jarvis Cocker of Pulp led a singalong of ‘Happy Birthday’, wishing for another 20 years for the festival.
Headliners Deliver Surprises and Standout Performances
Pulp’s headline set was a notable highlight, featuring a selection of ‘deep, deep cuts and B-sides’ rather than their well-known hits. The band announced a hiatus, bowing out with a set that included tracks like ‘Little Girl (With Blue Eyes)’, performed for the first time since 2012, and ‘The Mark Of The Devil’, absent from their live shows since 1992, as reported by Stereogum. A live debut of ‘Deep Fried in Kelvin’ was also part of their ‘joyous rummage through the archive’.
CMAT, another headliner, delivered an energetic performance that concluded with the artist shirtless and engaging with the audience for ‘collective cathartic screaming’. During her set, she announced she would not be playing in the UK for the next two years, according to The Guardian. Geese also made a significant impact, attracting record audience attendance for their Thursday headliner show.
Diverse Line-Up and Experimental Talent
Beyond the main acts, the festival showcased a broad spectrum of talent. Angine de Poitrine, having had a breakthrough year, performed their microtonal math-rock on the main stage. Factory Floor presented a ‘pummeling set’ of industrial electro-techno, while experimental electronic duo Another Country $$$ explored drum’n’bass and post-rock. Cleo Reed offered ‘queer country-soul’, described as ‘playful and sweet but also angry and impassioned’.
UNCUT also highlighted other notable performances: Super Furry Animals made a ‘triumphant return’ to Larmer Tree 19 years after headlining the second End of the Road, concluding with a 15-minute version of ‘The Man Don’t Give A Fuck’. White Denim, despite a technical glitch, delivered an intense set and later played one of the festival’s secret sets at 2 am. The variety of acts, from Kurt Vile’s ‘dreamier’ rock to Mozart Estate’s ‘perky basslines and golden harmonies’, was met with enthusiastic attendance, regardless of their size or genre.
Relevance for Oxfordshire Music Enthusiasts
For music fans in Oxfordshire and across the UK, the End of the Road festival continues to offer a distinct and independently curated experience. Its celebrated 20th anniversary underlines its status as a significant event in the UK festival calendar, providing a diverse musical landscape from established acts to emerging experimental artists. While other major events like Camp Bestival Draw 30,000, End of the Road carved its own niche, showcasing the ‘enduring power and beauty of independent music’, as noted by The Guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Festival
- Q: Where was the End of the Road festival held?
A: The festival was held at Larmer Tree Gardens in Wiltshire. - Q: What milestone did the festival celebrate this year?
A: The End of the Road festival celebrated its 20th anniversary. - Q: What did Pulp announce during their headline set?
A: Pulp announced a hiatus, concluding their performance with deep cuts and B-sides, including the live debut of ‘Deep Fried in Kelvin’. - Q: What was notable about CMAT’s performance?
A: CMAT’s headline set included her announcing she would not be playing in the UK for two years, and ended with her shirtless and engaging with the audience.
