End Of The Road Festival is an annual music festival held in Blandford Forum, Dorset which focuses on independent rock and folk music. Taking place this year from August 28–31, the festival returns with a standout programme of both established names and exciting emerging talent. Since its debut in 2006, the festival has sold out in advance every year and was awarded ‘Best Small Festival’ at the NME awards in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
The opening day of End of the Road 2025 kicks off with a more pared-back programme, with live music hosted on just two stages ahead of the full weekend schedule. On the Woods Stage, Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory headline the evening with an emotionally charged set – blending rock with Van Etten’s unmistakable vocals. She’s joined by rising ‘Britainicana’ act Westside Cowboy and the dreamlike, introspective soundscapes of Youth Lagoon. Meanwhile, at The Folly, the energy is high, with sets from genre-blending duo Getdown Services, Swiss indie-pop artist Anna Erhard, and Montreal’s post-punk band La Sécurité.
Friday’s line-up features a wide array of artists performing across every stage throughout the day. Among the standout names, the Garden Stage will host a headline set from Caribou, delivering his signature fusion of shimmering electronics and kinetic live energy. He’ll be joined by Swedish psych-rock collective Goat and the Welsh garage pop trio The Bug Club. On the Woods Stage, catch the rich, atmospheric folk of Daisy Rickman, alongside The Orchestra (For Now) – a collective promising sonic experimentation.
The Big Top Stage features with avant-garde pop duo Man/Woman/Chainsaw and the intense, post-industrial soundscapes of These New Puritans. At the Folly, moody vocalist Warhaus shares the stage with the sardonic energy of Chastity Belt. Meanwhile, the Boat Stage offers a change of pace with a DJ set from Tom Ravenscroft and a performance by the drone-folk collective Smote. Finally, the Talking Heads Stage sets the tone for intimate, powerful moments with performances from Sabine McCalla and Syrian-Irish folk artist Mohammad Syfkhan.
Saturday 30 promises a dynamic and eclectic line-up across all stages. On the Woods Stage, festival favourite Self Esteem brings her bold, confessional pop to the stage, joined by rising folk-rock collective The New Eves. The Garden Stage showcases the raw energy of Viagra Boys and a solo set from Geordie Greep of black midi, promising unpredictable experimentation.
Over at the Big Top, alt-rock pioneers Throwing Muses appear alongside breakout trio Mary in the Junkyard. Over at The Folly, expect dreamy textures and art-rock experimentation, with sets from BDRMM, Greg Freeman and The Sophs. Meanwhile, The Boat Stage dives into the underground with psychedelic project Dactyl Terra and genre-bending Black Fondu. The Talking Heads Stage presents more intimate sets from singer-songwriters Merce Lemon and Jennifer Castle.
Sunday 31 closes up the weekend with another full day of standout performances. At the Woods Stage, Father John Misty brings his melancholic, orchestral folk-rock storytelling to the headline slot, joined by post-punk innovators Squid and the wildly chaotic Tropical Fuck Storm. Over at the Garden Stage, Black Country, New Road return with their ever-evolving sound, joined by the introspective alt-pop of Sorry and festival favourite Katy J Pearson.
The Big Top Stage offers synth-driven performances from John Maus and genre-blending newcomer Miso Extra. Trace Mountains and Adult DVD bring intimate, lo-fi textures to The Folly Stage, while The Boat Stage spotlights forward-thinking electronic sounds from Astrid Sonne and Aili. Rounding out the weekend, Christopher Owens of Girls will deliver a rare and emotional solo set on the Talking Heads Stage.
A full run down of the line-up and day splits for End of The Road 2025 can be viewed here.
