Mark your calendar for June 26-28, 2026. Festival Republic and Live Nation are bringing State Fayre to Chelmsford’s Hylands Park, the UK’s first major festival to properly combine American rock with authentic BBQ culture. Kings of Leon, Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts, and The Lumineers headline across three nights, with 30,000 expected.
Kings of Leon haven’t lost their edge after two decades and nine albums. Watching them tear through ‘Sex on Fire’ in an American state fair setting? That’s going to hit different.
Neil Young at 80-something is still showing everyone how it’s done. He’s bringing The Chrome Hearts – Spooner Oldham (keys), Micah Nelson (guitar), Corey McCormick (bass), and Anthony LoGerfo (drums) – as part of their Love Earth World Tour. If you’ve never seen Young live, this might be your moment.
The Lumineers close Sunday. Don’t let their softer sound fool you – Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites deliver absolutely electric performances. Their latest album AUTOMATIC proves they’re not just riding on ‘Ho Hey’.
The supporting lineup reads like a who’s who of rock and Americana: The Black Crowes bringing stripped-down Southern rock, Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, plus Dylan Gossett, Sierra Ferrell, KT Tunstall, The Coral, Kingfishr, and Max McNown.
FUME, the UK’s premier BBQ festival, is handling The FUME Pit with proper pitmaster demonstrations and the largest BBQ cages in the UK. For once, festival food might actually be worth writing about.
Whiskey bars, craft beers, state fair rides, boutique camping. It’s taking the best of American festival culture and transplanting it to Essex.
Tickets go on sale Friday, November 28 at 9AM via statefayre.com. Given this lineup and 30,000 capacity, they won’t hang around.
