This weekend marked the 20th anniversary of the End of the Road Festival, a popular music event held in the scenic countryside near Blandford Forum, Dorset. The festival, which took place over four days, attracted a sell-out crowd of 15,000 people. Held on the rolling landscapes of Cranborne Chase, a protected National Landscape, the event featured more than 140 musical acts across five stages, offering a diverse lineup of indie-rock, folk, and alternative artists. In addition to the music, the festival included a special "Talking Heads" arena where comedians like Fern Brady and Adam Buxton performed. British band Pulp headlined the main stage on Saturday night, marking their first appearance at the festival. Pulp’s frontman, Jarvis Cocker, had previously performed a solo set at the Garden Stage in 2019. For this performance, Cocker played a selection of Pulp classics, including "Common People," "This Is Hardcore," and "Underwear." Throughout the set, he shared stories about the band's history, accompanied by slideshows of artwork, postcards, and visuals from over the years. He also sang "Happy Birthday" to the festival, toasting to another 20 years before announcing that he would be taking a break from performing for a while. The festival took place at the end of what has been recorded as the warmest summer in the UK since records began in 1884. According to provisional data from the Met Office, this summer saw widespread wildfires across the country due to the extreme heat. In preparation for the event, organizers issued warnings to attendees, stating that the ground and vegetation were "extremely dry" and that barbecues and open fires were "not permitted anywhere on site" to reduce the risk of fire. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the festival successfully brought together music lovers and performers, celebrating two decades of the event with a mix of nostalgia and forward-looking energy. Organizers emphasized the importance of safety and environmental responsibility, ensuring that the celebration of music did not come at the expense of the natural landscape that hosts the event each year.