Festival Republic and Live Nation have announced State Fayre, a brand-new major weekend camping festival celebrating rock music, americana, and barbecue, taking place 26th-28th June 2026 in Chelmsford, Essex. The festival, with a capacity of around 30,000, will feature performances from 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, Muireann Bradley, The Coral and many more.
State Fayre will bring a true taste of americana to the UK in June 2026, with star-studded 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.
Multi-Grammy and BRIT Award-winning band Kings of Leon will headline the first night of the inaugural State Fayre. Recognised as one of the biggest alternative rock bands of the last 20 years, they have headlined the world’s most prestigious festivals, including Coachella, Glastonbury, Roskilde and numerous Lollapaloozas in Berlin, Sao Paulo, Chicago and Santiago, to name but a few.
Saturday headliners, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, have announced the next UK and European leg of the Love Earth World Tour. Kicking off on 19th June 2026 in Manchester, the summer run will include headlining concerts and festival appearances across France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, before wrapping in Codroipo, Italy, on July 16. The Chrome Hearts are: Spooner Oldham (keys), Micah Nelson (guitar, vocals), Corey McCormick (bass, vocals), Anthony LoGerfo (drums) and Neil Young (vocals, guitar, piano).
The Lumineers have risen to become one of the most successful and influential bands of their generation, blending alternative rock, americana, and heartfelt storytelling. Known for their electrifying live performances, The Lumineers have sold out arenas, amphitheatres, festivals and stadiums across the globe. Now they’ll bring their scintillating live show to Sunday evening at State Fayre.
The Black Crowes stand as one of rock and roll’s most iconic bands, defined by energy and soulful swagger. Since reuniting in 2019, the Robinson brothers have reignited the fire that first made them a global force, bringing their live show to more than 20 countries worldwide. The band remain committed to delivering stripped-down, bare-boned rock and roll: gritty, loud, and in your face: no gloss, no glitter, just rhythm and blues at its very best.
Elvis Costello’s genre-spanning career has earned him induction into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame. He will be performing with his band The Imposters, featuring longtime collaborators Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas and Davey Faragher alongside Charlie Sexton.
Counting Crows have enchanted listeners worldwide for more than three decades with their intensely soulful and intricate take on timeless rock and roll. Exploding onto the music scene in 1993 with their multi-platinum breakout album, August and Everything After, the band have gone on to release seven studio albums, selling more than 20 million records worldwide, and are revered as one of the world’s most pre-eminent live touring rock bands.
Alongside three main stages packed with live music, State Fayre will feature vegetarian and vegan food traders, live food talks and demonstrations, whiskey, craft beers and cocktail bars, plus non-alcoholic drinks options, boutique camping options, state fair festival rides and activities.
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.
General tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, 28th November 2025 via www.statefayre.com.
As ever, it is worth keeping an eye out with the artist and promoter social media for pre-sale opportunities.
