NEWS
BIGGER PICTURE
What: State Fayre Where: Hylands Park, Essex When: 26-28 June, 2026 Image: Danny Clinch
Billed as‘ the UK’ s largest music and BBQ festival’ by its promoter Festival Republic, the 35,000-capacity State Fayre festival will debut in Chelmsford next summer.
With headliners including Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts( pictured), the Live Nation-owned event will have an Americana theme, with inspiration taken from American state fairs and tailgate parties.
State Fayre is the brainchild of Live Nation senior promoters Alex Simmonds and Anna-Sophie Mertens. Mertens established country and Americana event the Highways Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. She was also integral to bringing US country star Chris Stapleton to the UK for his first headline tour here.
She says,“ We’ ve been inspired by the phenomenal growth in Americana and country over the past few years, and felt there was an opportunity for a large-scale camping festival that combines all these things – rock, Americana, BBQ, country music and state fair activities.”
She reveals that the Festiva Republic-produced show will incorporate sustainability initiatives including choosing responsible suppliers, powering the event with 100 % HVO biofuel, and exploring battery storage solutions. Live Nation has a history of promoting festivals at the HylandsEstate, including V Festival, RiZE and Creamfields. Mertens says Hylands Park is an ideal location for a camping festival, with great travel connections across the country.“ We know the site well and are confident we can deliver our vision here,” she says,“ We’ ve worked closely with Chelmsford City Council for years in developing the site and are thrilled to be collaborating with them again on a large-scale event in Essex.”
State Fayre will also involve a team from BBQ festival FUME, which was co-founded by social media influencer EatingWithTod, who will host The FUME Pit on site.“ We think the combined offering and the accessible location will make it a unique proposition for fans,” says Mertens.
6 accessaa. co. uk