Country Calling 2026 Preview
Growing up just outside of what was the county town of Essex, which is now known as the city of Chelmsford, the focal point of our year was the annual trip every August to Writtle for V Festival. RIP to the event that saw Eminem, Kings of Leon, Pulp, The Killers, Ed Sheeran, Oasis (well nearly), Arctic Monkeys, The Killers (again), Rihanna, Kings of Leon (again) and even Taylor Swift perform at one of the country’s biggest music festivals and after more than it decade it was clear that C Town was ready and willing to embrace another event in Hylands Park.
Many tried but it was Donna Zanetti and Pete Woodhouse that succeeded when the infrastructure combined with the boom of country music that we are currently facing that saw the birth of Country Calling twelve months ago where Dillon Carmichael and Kaylee Bell would headline, which proved to be a roaring success. The level of success was so much that Live Nation took note and launched State Fayre in close proximity to the festival which also went down to rave reports. The boom and growth of country music in the UK and Country Calling is back for year two with a third day and camping added to the programme from twelve months ago but more importantly an even bigger lineup of transatlantic talent.
The bill is topped by three fantastic headliners with South Dakotan cowboy Tyler Halverson (who still owes me a beer after I had to speak pigeon German to pay his bar tab in Berlin last year) closing things out on Friday before Parmalee bring their five number one singles from North Carolina to the UK for the first time with a huge Saturday night party and the long awaited return across the pond from Randy Houser to close out the event.
Many tried but it was Donna Zanetti and Pete Woodhouse that succeeded when the infrastructure combined with the boom of country music that we are currently facing that saw the birth of Country Calling twelve months ago where Dillon Carmichael and Kaylee Bell would headline, which proved to be a roaring success. The level of success was so much that Live Nation took note and launched State Fayre in close proximity to the festival which also went down to rave reports. The boom and growth of country music in the UK and Country Calling is back for year two with a third day and camping added to the programme from twelve months ago but more importantly an even bigger lineup of transatlantic talent.
The bill is topped by three fantastic headliners with South Dakotan cowboy Tyler Halverson (who still owes me a beer after I had to speak pigeon German to pay his bar tab in Berlin last year) closing things out on Friday before Parmalee bring their five number one singles from North Carolina to the UK for the first time with a huge Saturday night party and the long awaited return across the pond from Randy Houser to close out the event.
In addition to this, there is plenty of excitement for welcome returns from some more of our favourite artists (and top drawer drinking buddies in a couple of cases) as we will officially rebrand once again to the Official Halle Kearns UK Fan Club for her second visit to these shores in 2026, Tyler Rich is back to reaffirm why he is both the nicest and coolest dude in the entire music industry as he rocks the stage with a high intensity full band set on the main stage, Shelly Fairchild is next in the line of “June Bugs” to return to grace UK crowds once more, the delightful Erin Kinsey will really get the party going with what is always a rocking energy filled show, Nashville’s most respected musician Charlie Worsham (who in case you were wondering who your favourite artist’s favourite artist is, well you’re gonna get to see him) is back in the present day after last being seen on stage in London with Dierks Bentley getting on a Jim Lauderdale driven bus to the nineties and not forgetting the delightful Queen of Campbellsville, Kentucky Hannah Ellis is finally heading back to the UK with her array of feel good anthems.
As well as the host of performers from the United States and homegrown talent, our Commonwealth cousins are also well represented with Madeline Merlo flying the flag for Canada for what will be her first time playing on this side of the Atlantic, whilst Tori Darke and the highly anticipated British debut from James Johnston continue last year’s trend with maintaining a strong Australian presence that will really bring plenty of energy and really catchy hits from down under. Then we have a pair of Americans also making maiden voyages with Lakelin Lemmings offering fans a chance to hear songs from her stunning self-titled debut for the first time and one of the real star attractions in our eyes, Kasey Tyndall will be rocking a UK festival stage for the first time and promises to be one of the most talked about artists at this year’s event.
The festival caters for families with FREE tickets for children if accompanied by their parents (or any adult for that matter) where they have their own programme of activities coordinated but at heart this is an event which we loved as music fans last summer and anticipated the return. With James Johnston, Kasey Tyndall, Hannah Ellis and Halle Kearns on the bill, it is certainly not one to miss and you never know, during the first UK performance from Parmalee, you could well fall in love with a “Cowgirl” and this could become the highlight of your summer.
The festival caters for families with FREE tickets for children if accompanied by their parents (or any adult for that matter) where they have their own programme of activities coordinated but at heart this is an event which we loved as music fans last summer and anticipated the return. With James Johnston, Kasey Tyndall, Hannah Ellis and Halle Kearns on the bill, it is certainly not one to miss and you never know, during the first UK performance from Parmalee, you could well fall in love with a “Cowgirl” and this could become the highlight of your summer.
Country Calling will take place across the weekend of August 14th to 16th at Kings Farm in Chelmsford where you can find more information and ticket information on their WEBSITE. To keep up to date with all that is going on ahead of the festival you can follow along socially on INSTAGRAM TIKTOK & FACEBOOK.