End Of The Road festival returned in its fourth year with more magic and sparkle than ever before. All of the old favourites were there, including the secret disco, hidden piano lounge and of course the free-roaming people-loving peacocks.
The festival played host to the wonderful Okkervil River, Fleet Foxes and Explosions in the Sky, none of whom failed to please. Organisers also treated us to a multitude of For Folks Sake favourites, including Mumford & Sons and Schmercury winners The Leisure Society, who both delighted with performances from their debut albums.
End Of The Road is never just about the music line-up though, it’s about the magical atmosphere, the friendly crowd and of course the sweet nectar on offer at the Somerset cider bus. With one of the strongest musical line-ups of the whole festival season it was hard to find a day where amazing bands didn’t clash.
One performance that was not to be missed was Dirty Projectors’ set on Friday. With the faultless performance of songs from recent album ‘Bitte Orca’ they were the first band to really get the audience in the mood for the weekend to come.
And if Dirty Projectors proved to be the highlights of Friday night, it must be Okkervil River who shone out on the Saturday with their genre-spanning take on pop music. And then, of course, there was Bob Log III on Sunday with his warp-speed fingerpicking, showing he’s much more than a glittery motorcycle-helmet-wearing gimmick.
Nobody managed to capture the whole feel of the festival more than Josh T Pearson who pleased crowds with a secret, and very special, performance at the hidden piano. His rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ even managed to escape descending into cliché. It’s these kinds of hidden gems dotted throughout the festival over the weekend that made it easily one of the stand out festivals of this summer.
She Keeps Bees: As if they weren’t good enough already, Jessica flowers cookies upon the crowd. What a winner.
Vetiver: Vetiver are so lovely. Such sweet and beautiful music, a charming performance indeed.
Neko Case: QUEEN OF THE MAIN STAGE. Neko has an effortlessly brilliant voice.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums: On top form and warmly received by the crowd. My Heart and Today/Tomorrow are an unbeatable duo of songs to blow your mind with.
Laura Gibson: Such a delicate, fragile voice over sparse finger picked guitar. If she was a biscuit she would be a Nice one.
Motel Motel: What a discovery! The singer has a real country snarl. Brilliant songs.
Dirty Projectors: A highlight of the festival. Completely unreal. Mesmerising guitar and insane vocal parts.
The Whispertown 2000: You will either love or hate Morgan Nagler’s voice. LOVE. If Whispertown were a pudding they’d be profiteroles.
Bob Log III: Slide guitar + skin tight outfit + helmet with telephone attached = WHAT THE HELL.
Herman Dune: A magnetic frontman and great songwriter.
Fleet Foxes: Most epic set of the festival.
The Leisure Society: played a secret set on the tiny piano stage in the woods.
Okkervil River: in between banging from Bob Log III’s main stage set these lovelies played favourites from their big ol’ back catalogue.
Intro: Jonathan Wilson
Photos and captions: Anika Mottershaw