End of the Road festival marked its 20th anniversary at Larmer Tree Gardens in Wiltshire with a joyous, celebratory atmosphere, cementing its reputation as a genre-hopping powerhouse that treats fringe experimental acts with the same enthusiasm as its star headliners. What began as a festival rooted in alt-folk and Americana has evolved into a broad, eclectic showcase spanning pop, noisy experimentation and global grooves, all while retaining a distinctive independent identity that stands apart from increasingly corporate-sponsored festivals elsewhere.

Highlights included Pulp's uncompromising headline set of deep cuts and B-sides, during which Jarvis Cocker announced the band's hiatus, and CMAT's emotional farewell show, in which she revealed she won't play the UK again for two years. Geese drew record Thursday-night crowds, while acts including Factory Floor, Model/Actriz, Angine de Poitrine and James K won over audiences with their varied and adventurous sounds. With a modest capacity of 15,000 and no major corporate sponsors, the festival was praised as a rare success story demonstrating the enduring appeal of independent music.