Country on the Coast: Six Years of Building a Coastal Country Community

From a one-woman vision to a defining grassroots festival, Country on the Coast has become the South Coast’s home for connection, discovery and the future of UK country music.

As Country on the Coast heads into its sixth year, founder Hannah Roper is reflecting on a journey that began with a simple but powerful idea: bring country music home. What started in 2019 as a leap of faith has grown into one of the South Coast’s most beloved grassroots festivals—without ever losing the intimacy and community that set it apart.

“At times it feels like a million years ago,” she says of that first event. “I was definitely very naive when I started out, but one of my personality traits is to say ‘yes’ and figure the rest out later.” That instinct—equal parts courage and chaos—sparked a festival born from necessity. As a former country singer-songwriter, Hannah found herself constantly travelling north or into London to connect with the scene. “The desire to bring that community to my hometown was exactly what sparked the creation of the festival.”

The “one-woman whirlwind”

If Country on the Coast feels seamless to attendees, that illusion is carefully constructed. Behind the scenes, Hannah is juggling hundreds of moving parts—often alone.

“It’s a mixture of immaculate organisation and sheer chaos,” she laughs. “From reviewing over 500 applications to curating the lineup and getting it from a spreadsheet into a reality… it’s a lot.”

Every application is reviewed personally. “I tried outsourcing it once, but I felt disconnected from the artists. I promised I’d handle it myself from then on.” Add in constant negotiations with agents, scheduling reshuffles, content creation, and coordination with venues, traders, and merch teams, and it’s clear why the “whirlwind” label has stuck.

“You have to be a little crazy to keep going with it all!”

The hidden art of curation

One of the least visible—but most intricate—parts of the festival is crafting the lineup. It’s not just about booking great artists; it’s about building a musical journey.

“People might think it magically happens, but it requires so much effort,” Hannah explains. “I balance male and female vocals, soloists versus bands, UK and international styles—I even consider key song tempos to ensure a good flow.”

And just when everything seems locked in, the unexpected happens. “An artist cancels and it’s back to the list! That’s why I often don’t announce set times until the week of the festival. It’s a massive jigsaw puzzle.”

A festival with heart

Despite its growth, Country on the Coast has resisted the pressure to scale up beyond recognition. Its identity is rooted in something more personal.

“The venue is a huge part of it,” Hannah says. “It’s historic and close to my heart—my family used to visit there, and it’s run by people I’ve known since childhood.”

That sense of familiarity feeds into the festival’s defining characteristic: its community. “Being a micro-festival gives us a unique personality. The bigger you go, the harder it is to maintain that warmth.”

Moments that matter

For Hannah, the true success of the festival isn’t measured in ticket sales or headliners—it’s in the connections it fosters.

She recalls a moment from last year when a new artist, Tristan Hutton, arrived not knowing anyone. “I turned around and saw him chatting and connecting with another artist—that’s what it’s all about.”

Those connections often extend beyond the weekend itself. “Seeing artists perform on the same day and then go on to collaborate and gig together—that’s exactly why I do this.”

Championing emerging talent

Country on the Coast has quietly become a launchpad for rising UK country artists. Hannah’s approach to booking reflects a careful balance between experience and opportunity.

“I look for artists who are actively building a community with their fans,” she says. “Not just putting out content like a factory.”

The festival offers more than just a slot on stage—it provides live video footage and promotional content artists can use to secure future bookings. “It’s always a privilege to host someone playing their first ever festival.”

Looking ahead to 2026

This year’s edition is the biggest yet, with a lineup that blends emerging voices, international acts, and seasoned performers. Across the weekend, names like Rhiannon Paige, Katy Hurt, Jack Browning, Chasing Twisters and Country Ties sit alongside a deep roster of rising talent, reflecting the breadth of the modern UK country scene.

“I’m excited that this is our largest lineup ever,” Hannah says. “We’ve got artists from two miles down the road and others flying in internationally.”

The festival has also picked up major recognition, including a South Coast “Festival of the Year” award and a nomination at the Portsmouth Music Awards. But for Hannah, the real highlight remains simple: “Meeting people in person. In this digital age, you forget you haven’t actually met people until you see them at the festival.”

Fan favourites like line dancing, the writers’ round, and independent traders will return—part of a conscious decision to build consistency rather than constantly reinvent the wheel.

A coastal identity

Portsmouth itself plays a starring role in shaping the festival’s atmosphere. With its vibrant independent music scene and strong sense of place, the city provides the perfect backdrop.

“I wanted the UK country scene to be part of that rich experience,” Hannah explains. “Having started out in grassroots venues, it’s imperative to me that I contribute to that environment.”

The bigger picture

Looking to the future, Hannah is candid about both the challenges and her ambitions.

“My dream is for it to cement itself as a real anchor in the UK country music scene—the definitive opener to the festival season.”

Like many grassroots events, Country on the Coast faces financial pressures and shifting audience habits. “It’s a tough time… I’d love for this to be people’s first choice.”

But at its core, the mission hasn’t changed. “This has never been about making me rich,” she says. “I just want to ensure the festival has the longevity to keep springboarding new country and Americana artists for years to come.”

Six years in, that original spark—to build a community where one didn’t exist—still burns brightly on the South Coast.