Americana Meets Essex at State Fayre This Weekend
The UK summer festival calendar is getting a massive shakeup this weekend, as a potential brand-new powerhouse looks set to make its mark in Essex. From Friday, June 26th to Sunday, June 28th, 2026, the inaugural State Fayre Festival will officially take over the historic Hylands Park in Chelmsford - the former site of V Festival.
Far from just another standard weekend in a muddy field, State Fayre is officially billed as the UK’s largest music and live-fire BBQ festival. The ambitious debut aims to blend the energy of a stadium show with the rich, community-driven spectacle of a traditional Deep South state fair. Organisers are transforming the Grade II listed estate into an immersive, 30,000-capacity wonderland that celebrates the very best of roots, rock, and culinary craftsmanship. For festival-goers looking for an escape from the ordinary, the site is perfectly positioned—offering a rural, idyllic retreat that sits conveniently less than 30 minutes outside of central London.
Whether you are a die-hard indie-rock fan, a country music purist, or a dedicated foodie tracking down the country's finest pitmasters, State Fayre promises to kick off the 2026 summer season with an unforgettable weekend of sun-drenched Americana.
Far from just another standard weekend in a muddy field, State Fayre is officially billed as the UK’s largest music and live-fire BBQ festival. The ambitious debut aims to blend the energy of a stadium show with the rich, community-driven spectacle of a traditional Deep South state fair. Organisers are transforming the Grade II listed estate into an immersive, 30,000-capacity wonderland that celebrates the very best of roots, rock, and culinary craftsmanship. For festival-goers looking for an escape from the ordinary, the site is perfectly positioned—offering a rural, idyllic retreat that sits conveniently less than 30 minutes outside of central London.
Whether you are a die-hard indie-rock fan, a country music purist, or a dedicated foodie tracking down the country's finest pitmasters, State Fayre promises to kick off the 2026 summer season with an unforgettable weekend of sun-drenched Americana.
Spread across three major stages—the Main Stage, the Big Top, and the Horizon Stage—the debut lineup bridges the gap between classic alternative rock, modern country, and indie-folk heroes.
Friday, June 26
Rock royalty Kings of Leon will open the weekend’s main stage festivities, with the Followill brothers looking set to get the party started with ease in Chelmsford with massive anthems like "Use Somebody" and of course "Sex on Fire."
They are backed by a stellar Friday bill featuring The Black Crowes headlining the Big Top, as well as rising country-rock force Stephen Wilson Jr. and Irish indie-folk trio Kingfishr on the Main Stage. Bluegrass virtuoso Molly Tuttle brings world-class picking to the afternoon crowds as they set themselves up for the weekend.
Saturday, June 27
The legendary Alanis Morissette takes the Saturday night spotlight. You will be saying Thank U to the "Queen of Alt-Rock Angst" for stepping into the headline slot earlier this year, promising a set stacked with generation-defining hits from Jagged Little Pill and a surefire sing-a-long to Ironic. You Oughta Know though, you certainly won’t have one hand in your pocket for this Perfect set.
Saturday’s supporting roster is fiercely eclectic. British rock icons Skunk Anansie will deliver their explosive energy right before Alanis, while the Big Top plays host to multi-platinum country star and CitUK favourite Kip Moore with his only UK show and the jagged indie-pop hooks of Razorlight - yes we will be reliving 2006 for America!
Elsewhere, you don’t miss the vocal harmonies of Dutch indie-folk duo Sarah Julia or the sun-drenched melodies of The Magic Numbers.
Sunday, June 28:
As the sun dips on the final evening of State Fayre, pioneers of modern Americana The Lumineers will close out the festival. Renowned for their deeply affirming live shows, the Denver-born outfit will undoubtedly spark a massive, festival-wide singalong with "Ho Hey" and "Ophelia."
Sunday is the day that truly has it all, so don’t try to get on the road early and get your sick day excuses in for Monday early with nineties icons Counting Crows taking us for a ride in a Big Yellow Taxi for the sub-headline slot, alongside Texan breakout star Dylan Gossett and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. Meanwhile, the Big Top features a highly anticipated performance from the masked cowboy Orville Peck, alongside the Merseybeat of The Coral and fast-rising Irish folk outfit Amble need to be on your not to miss list.
Friday, June 26
Rock royalty Kings of Leon will open the weekend’s main stage festivities, with the Followill brothers looking set to get the party started with ease in Chelmsford with massive anthems like "Use Somebody" and of course "Sex on Fire."
They are backed by a stellar Friday bill featuring The Black Crowes headlining the Big Top, as well as rising country-rock force Stephen Wilson Jr. and Irish indie-folk trio Kingfishr on the Main Stage. Bluegrass virtuoso Molly Tuttle brings world-class picking to the afternoon crowds as they set themselves up for the weekend.
Saturday, June 27
The legendary Alanis Morissette takes the Saturday night spotlight. You will be saying Thank U to the "Queen of Alt-Rock Angst" for stepping into the headline slot earlier this year, promising a set stacked with generation-defining hits from Jagged Little Pill and a surefire sing-a-long to Ironic. You Oughta Know though, you certainly won’t have one hand in your pocket for this Perfect set.
Saturday’s supporting roster is fiercely eclectic. British rock icons Skunk Anansie will deliver their explosive energy right before Alanis, while the Big Top plays host to multi-platinum country star and CitUK favourite Kip Moore with his only UK show and the jagged indie-pop hooks of Razorlight - yes we will be reliving 2006 for America!
Elsewhere, you don’t miss the vocal harmonies of Dutch indie-folk duo Sarah Julia or the sun-drenched melodies of The Magic Numbers.
Sunday, June 28:
As the sun dips on the final evening of State Fayre, pioneers of modern Americana The Lumineers will close out the festival. Renowned for their deeply affirming live shows, the Denver-born outfit will undoubtedly spark a massive, festival-wide singalong with "Ho Hey" and "Ophelia."
Sunday is the day that truly has it all, so don’t try to get on the road early and get your sick day excuses in for Monday early with nineties icons Counting Crows taking us for a ride in a Big Yellow Taxi for the sub-headline slot, alongside Texan breakout star Dylan Gossett and Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. Meanwhile, the Big Top features a highly anticipated performance from the masked cowboy Orville Peck, alongside the Merseybeat of The Coral and fast-rising Irish folk outfit Amble need to be on your not to miss list.
Oh we’re not done yet! What separates State Fayre from the summer circuit is its massive, dedicated focus on premium food culture. The event has officially partnered with FUME, to construct The FUME Pit—an on-site, live-fire wonderland.
Co-founded by social media culinary sensation EatingWithTod, the pit will feature the single largest BBQ cooking cages in the country. Attendees can watch live, theatrical cooking demonstrations from world-class pitmasters and grab food from elite smokehouses and vendors traveling from across the UK and beyond, including legendary pitmaster Big John (John Fisher).
Despite the heavy emphasis on open-fire meat, vegans and vegetarians aren't left holding a plastic veggie burger. The festival has secured top-tier plant-based vendors, including Wholesome Junkies (featured on BBC's Million Pound Menu) and London's premier vegan smokehouse, LD's Kitchen.
To wash it all down, the park will host specialised American whiskey bars, craft beer gardens, artisan cocktail hubs, and an extensive menu of premium non-alcoholic options. Keeping true to the "State Fair" blueprint, the grounds will also feature classic, nostalgic festival fairground rides, Ferris wheels, and live food panels running throughout the day.
If you haven’t got your tickets for the weekend yet, the simple question is what are you waiting for?
Co-founded by social media culinary sensation EatingWithTod, the pit will feature the single largest BBQ cooking cages in the country. Attendees can watch live, theatrical cooking demonstrations from world-class pitmasters and grab food from elite smokehouses and vendors traveling from across the UK and beyond, including legendary pitmaster Big John (John Fisher).
Despite the heavy emphasis on open-fire meat, vegans and vegetarians aren't left holding a plastic veggie burger. The festival has secured top-tier plant-based vendors, including Wholesome Junkies (featured on BBC's Million Pound Menu) and London's premier vegan smokehouse, LD's Kitchen.
To wash it all down, the park will host specialised American whiskey bars, craft beer gardens, artisan cocktail hubs, and an extensive menu of premium non-alcoholic options. Keeping true to the "State Fair" blueprint, the grounds will also feature classic, nostalgic festival fairground rides, Ferris wheels, and live food panels running throughout the day.
If you haven’t got your tickets for the weekend yet, the simple question is what are you waiting for?