Simon RushworthRushonrock was all over days one and two of the 2026 Highways Festival before heading north to catch Emmylou Harris. Simon Rushworth snuck into the magnificent Royal Albert Hall to deliver his verdict on Carly Simon, Jon Pardi and more.
Jack Van Cleaf only has six songs to convince a fast-filling Royal Albert Hall that he’s worthy of a prestigious Friday night main stage slot at the UK’s coolest country and Americana festival.
Fortunately, the unassuming figurehead ruling the intersection between indie rock and Gen Z folk (far from an obvious Highways pick) uses his time wisely. Nothing fancy. No bold production ideas above his station. Van Cleaf simply leans on the inspired musicianship that spoke to both Noah Kahan and Zach Bryan when viral hit Rattlesnake was first doping the rounds.
Flushed with the success of the Green 2 EP (Áine Green was afforded a RAH glow up here) and growing into his role as intriguing warm up act, the Belmont graduate brings an understated cool to this storied venue. Van’s the man.
A striking change of pace sees the irrepressible Kaitlin Butts kick some considerable country-styled ass: opening up with a yeehaw cover of Cher’s Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) the Tulsa native’s stall is well and truly set out from the start.
Cheeky, cheery and keen to challenge convention, one of the stars of Highways weekend is all in and all consuming. The wonderful Come Rest Your Head (On My Pillow) and a feisty take on Kesha’s Hunt You Down might raise the odd eyebrow amongst the more conservative onlookers but the rest of us love every minute of a fabulous show.
Set closer You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me) is typical Butts: bang on the button and brilliantly conceived. Think Ashley McBryde meets Iliza Shelsinger as country music takes a darkly comedic turn.
On the face of it, the uncanny juxtaposition between Butts and Friday night headliner Jon Pardi couldn’t be more jarring. But somehow there’s a crossover in an audience that loves the former’s edgy repartee just as much as the latter’s all-American, middle class, trad country manifesto.
California’s first invitee to the Grand Ole Opry boasts a happy knack of crafting singalong party starters that are impossible to resist. A rocking Royal Albert Hall is treated to blazing renditions of Honkytonk Hollywood, Friday Night Heartbreaker, Boots Off and more as Pardi proves there’s really no need to reinvent the country music wheel.
Beneath that trademark Stetson and flanked by a truly fabulous band (truthfully, Texan Terry Lee Palmer stole the show), Mr Saturday Night whips London into a Tennessee-flavoured frenzy. Pardi time? You bet.
Against a backdrop of far right political protests and the FA Cup final, Highways day two provided a much-needed sanctuary for like-minded music fans to bond with their tribe and escape the norm.
Clover County, the 24-year-old main stage opener, confesses to living in the space between country, Americana and alternative music — eight perfectly pitched tunes are sweet, soul-searching and suitably applauded. It ain’t Clover ‘til it’s Clover. Or something like that.
The strong female role models come thick and fast on Highways Saturday as Tigirlily Gold treat us to a rollercoaster set of summery tunes. Sisters Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh harmonise with effortless ease on I Tried a Ring On and Shoot Tequila as the sweet as cherry pie siblings launch a charm offensive that we’re powerless to resit.
Check out the ludicrously catchy Leroy for further evidence of why Tigirlily Gold need to be your new favourite band.
Next up it’s Southern rock throwback Corey Kent. Suited and booted all in white, the proud Texan is no angel and yet his authentic, rough around the edges voice and biting narratives are an outlaw country match made in heaven.
How You Know You Made It resonates deeply with those rooted in Nashville lore and the irony of Empty Words — coming from a storyteller as affecting as Kent — isn’t lost on the Highways faithful. Why spoil the moment with a bizarre cover of Oasis’ Champagne Supernova? Then again, reading the room, it seems a sizeable minority appreciated the unexpected nod to the Gallaghers.
Back on track with Wild As Her and Something’s Gonna Kill Me, Kent wraps up his 10-song set on a high. Promises of a swift return to the UK must be kept. Or there’ll be trouble.
Saturday headliner Carly Pearce is one of country music’s most saleable assets and this is why. A perfectly pitched set transforms the storied Royal Albert Hall into a Union Chapel-style show — intimacy and a genuine connection with her audience is a familiar calling card where the Kentucky native’s concerned.
Pearce doesn’t try too hard and yet creating the cosseting atmosphere comes easy. It feels as if every song is personal, every moment cherished as the 36-year-old opens her heart on love lost and lessons learnt. When Pearce mentions she’s just moved into a mortgage-free, four bedroomed Nashville pad — alone — it really doesn’t seem fair. Dream Come True’s deeply reflective refrain hits home hardest of all.
I Hope You’re Happy Now and What He Didn’t Do border on the bitter but the beaming smile and infectious optimism suggest Pearce, even after everything, is a glass half full kinda gal. Here’s hoping. If not, then Highways’ wildly appreciative audience might just help put Carly back on track.
