Festival Republic and Live Nation have revealed details of a “major” new weekend camping festival for 2026.
Christened State Fayre, the inaugural event will celebrate rock music, Americana, and barbecue between June 26-28 in Chelmsford, Essex and boast a capacity of 30,000 people.
Confirmed headliners for 2026 are Kings Of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, and The Lumineers.
Also joining them across the weekend at Hylands Park will be The Black Crowes, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, Amble, Kingfishr, Dylan Gossett, Sierra Ferrell, Max McNown, KT Tunstall, The Coral and many more.
An official press release stated: “State Fayre will bring a true taste of Americana to the UK in June 2026, with an incredible line-up spanning rock, country, and folk music. Inspired by American state fairs, long summer nights and tailgate parties, State Fayre is a celebration of music, food and culture, blending contemporary and classic sounds with a distinctive American theme.”
We are thrilled to unveil a brand new camping festival that builds on the phenomenal UK growth in Americana, rock and country over the past few years
Anna-Sophie Mertens & Alex Simmonds, Live Nation
Other names confirmed to appear across the weekend at the first edition of State Fayre are Amble, Avery Anna, Bec O’Malley, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Caroline Grace, Dylan Gossett, DUG, Kingfishr, Kip Moore, KT Tunstall, Max McNown, Muireann Bradley, Nina Nesbitt, Sierra Ferrell and The Coral.
An official press release also stated that “audiences will be able to immerse themselves in the sounds, sights, and tastes of Americana across the whole weekend. The UK’s premier BBQ festival, FUME, will host The FUME Pit on-site, featuring award-winning pitmasters and vendors?from across the UK and beyond. Co-founded by social media sensation EatingWithTod, FUME has set the standard for BBQ excellence, with the?largest BBQ cages in the UK?and?demonstrations from some of the most talented chefs?in the industry.”
State Fayre’s organisers Anna-Sophie Mertens and Alex Simmonds of Live Nation, said: “We are thrilled to unveil a brand new camping festival that builds on the phenomenal UK growth in Americana, rock and country over the past few years. We’re so excited to present this music in an immersive outdoor setting complete with the authentic food, activities and big open skies of an American state fair.”
Councillor Natacha Dudley, cabinet member for an Active Chelmsford, Chelmsford City Council, said: “Festivals have been a longstanding feature in Hylands’ annual calendar of events, and we’re delighted to confirm another weekend of global music artists coming to the park in 2026. With decades of experience in hosting high-quality music events behind us, we’re looking forward to working with Festival Republic to make this brand-new State Fayre festival another fantastic weekend for Chelmsford.”
General tickets go on sale at 9AM on Friday 28 November via www.statefayre.com.
Live Nation's Anna-Sophie Mertens was the recent winner of the Live Music Inspiration honour at the Women In Music Awards 2025. You can revisit her interview here.
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