End Of The Road announce Comedy and Literature w/ Janine Harouni, Fern Brady, Stewart Lee, Knightmare Live and more
End Of The Road 2024
Comedy & Literature Lineup Announced
Comedians Janine Harouni, Fern Brady, Stewart Lee and Knightmare Live join authors Richard King, Marchelle Farrell, Simon Raymonde and many more.
29 August - 1 September at Larmer Tree Gardens, buy tickets here
PRAISE FOR 2023
★★★★★ The Guardian / ★★★★★ The Times / ★★★★★ NME ★★★★★ The Independent / ★★★★★ The Financial Times
End Of The Road is known as a melting pot for the very best in alternative music, but it is also an Eden of the arts generally, and is cementing that reputation today with the announcement of its Comedy and Literature lineup. The diverse list announced today includes wry, razor-sharp comedians and thought-provoking, boundary-pushing authors alike.
Leading the names for the comedy programme at End Of The Road 2024 is Lebanese-American comedian Janine Harouni, whose Netflix special was selected as one of The Guardian's 'Ten Comedians to Watch in 2021'. The BBC New Comedy award winner is known for expertly delivering polished punchlines and poignant moments about life and death.. Also announced is Stewart Lee, the definitive deadpan stand-up known for careening through topical, observational, self-deprecating and absurdist routines. A master of both irony and provocation, Lee is often hailed as the comedian's comedian. Scottish comedian and Taskmaster favourite Fern Brady will showcase her straight talking and uncompromising routine. Celebrated for shining a light on women with autism in her brilliant book Strong Female Character, Fern is a fan favourite for her frank, no-nonsense and hilarious discourse. Elsewhere on the comedy bill, Josie Long will bring her infectious charm to End Of The Road, whilst Knightmare Live, the cult kids TV show will come to life at Larmer Tree Gardens this year. Those who desperately yearned to play the game as a child can don the helmet and relive the peril, live on stage, under the guidance of the brilliant Paul Flannery.
Northern powerhouse Paddy Young who describes himself as “Hungry, Horny and Scared”, might be in the gutter, but he’s looking down on you. American comedian Sara Barron will regale the audience with her incredible, uncensored storytelling, exploring the ins and outs of relationships and the often hilarious escapades of living in the UK as an American, whilst Phil Ellis will effortlessly entertain audiences of all ages with his amalgamation of off-beat observational material and physical comedy. Pappy’s, formed of Ben Clark and Tom Parry return to the bill, the much-loved sketch group harness classic comedy chops with a modern sensibility.
For early risers, or perhaps those who are still yet to go to bed, festival daytimes get underway with wide ranging and exploratory chats with leading authors and memoirists in the dappled light of the Talking Heads stage. Announced on the literature bill is acclaimed cultural historian Richard King, whose work focuses on the intersections of identity, subculture and place. His latest book ‘Travels Over Feeling’ reveals a true picture of Arthur Russell, one of the most enigmatic and distinctive artists of the last 50 years. Marchelle Farrell speaks passionately about the relationships between our external landscapes and internal ones, the patterns that are reenacted in the human relationship with the land, and how they might be changed. Her debut memoir, ‘Uprooting’, won the 2021 Nan Shepherd Prize for nature writing. American record producer and writer Joe Boyd will be discussing his upcoming debut book ‘And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: a journey through global music’; a non-academic page-turner, full of anecdotes and personalities and backstories. Simon Raymonde is a producer, musician and founder of beloved independent label Bella Union. Prior to this he was the bass player in legendary Scottish indie band Cocteau Twins, at End Of The Road he’ll relive these exciting times, speaking about his memoir ‘In One Ear’. Plus, a Special Guest will be announced later in the Summer.
Not only your favourite band’s favourite festival; End Of The Road offers much more beyond the music.
Full Comedy Lineup:
Janine Harouni
Fern Brady
Stewart Lee
Knightmare Live
Josie Long
Paddy Young
Phil Ellis
Pappy's (Tom Parry & Ben Clark)
Sara Barron
Patrick Healy
Tamsyn Kelly
Thanyia Moore
Ria Lina
They Like To Watch: with Geoff Lloyd & Sara Barron
Full Literature Lineup:
Richard King
Marchelle Farrell
Joe Boyd
Lucy Jones
Jon Moses
Noreen Masud
Simon Raymonde
Harriet Baker
Plus Special Guest to be announced
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 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 Simon Armitage, Sara Pascoe and Robin Ince 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 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, 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
