State Fayre 2026 Day One Review

State Fayre made an unforgettable first impression as the inaugural festival welcomed thousands of music fans to Hylands Park in Chelmsford for an opening day packed with outstanding performances, incredible food and a relaxed festival atmosphere.

Despite soaring summer temperatures, the site remained lively from the moment the gates opened, with visitors exploring the festival's impressive layout before settling in for a programme that combined rock, Americana, country and blues across multiple stages. Away from the music, The FUME Pit quickly became one of the weekend's biggest attractions, drawing crowds eager to experience award-winning barbecue, live-fire cooking and some of the UK's leading pitmasters.

As daylight faded, anticipation built for the evening's headline performance from Kings of Leon, bringing an already memorable first day to a spectacular close and setting a high standard for the rest of the weekend.

It also opened in the middle of a record-breaking UK heatwave, and with the smell of barbecue drifting across the site from the FUME Pit, the whole place had an unmistakably warm, holiday-in-the-States feel before a note was even played.

Friday belonged to Kings of Leon, the first headliners in State Fayre’s history. The Black Crowes, Stephen Wilson Jr. and rising Irish band Kingfishr softened up the Main Stage earlier in the day, with country-leaning sets from Molly Tuttle, Kezia Gill and Nina Nesbitt rounding out an impressively varied bill. By the time the Followills arrived, the crowd was primed.

Caleb Followill told the audience it felt like coming home, and the band played like it. They opened with ‘Find Me’ and tore through a genuinely hits-packed set – ‘The Bucket’, ‘Fans’, ‘On Call’, ‘Use Somebody’, ‘Waste a Moment’, ‘Pyro’, ‘Closer’, ‘Molly’s Chambers’, ‘Black Thumbnail’ and an inevitable, euphoric ‘Sex on Fire’ to finish. With nine albums and a back catalogue stretching to 2024’s Can We Please Have Fun, they have the festival pedigree (Coachella, Glastonbury, Roskilde) and the songs to anchor a debut event, and they looked like they were enjoying every minute of it.

Kings of Leon Close an Incredible Opening Day

As darkness settled over Hylands Park, Kings of Leon delivered the headline performance that many festival-goers had travelled to see. Mixing fan favourites with newer material, the band produced a set that had thousands singing along throughout the evening.

Tracks including On Call, Pyro, Use Somebody, Revelry and Knocked Up created some of the biggest moments of the day, while the festival's decision to avoid scheduling competing headline performances ensured the entire audience could share the experience together. Against the backdrop of the illuminated festival site, the performance provided a fitting finale to State Fayre's opening day.

What struck me just as much as the music was the crowd. It was busy but never crushing – you could move, breathe and actually get to the bar – and the mix of people was unlike any festival I’ve been to: old and young, families, couples and solo wanderers, all rubbing along happily with no single dominant tribe. That, plus some of the best festival food I’ve come across, gave the night an atmosphere all its own.

As a first-ever headline night, it was hard to fault. Big band, big hits, big skies and a crowd having a brilliant time in the heat.

First Impressions of State Fayre

For a brand-new festival, State Fayre felt remarkably polished from the moment visitors arrived. The spacious layout at Hylands Park made it easy to move between stages without excessive queues, while the wide variety of food vendors, shaded areas and free drinking water stations helped festival-goers stay comfortable during one of the hottest weekends of the summer.

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, with families, groups of friends and dedicated music fans all enjoying the opening day together. Throughout the site there was a genuine sense that organisers had paid attention to the finer details, creating an event that balanced large-scale production with a friendly community feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who headlined Day One of State Fayre 2026?

Kings of Leon closed the opening day with a career-spanning headline set featuring many of their biggest hits.

Where was State Fayre held?

State Fayre took place at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex.

What was The FUME Pit?

The FUME Pit was State Fayre's dedicated live-fire food area, featuring award-winning barbecue chefs, pitmasters and cooking demonstrations throughout the festival.

Was State Fayre well organised?

Many attendees praised the festival's organisation, site layout, free water stations, cleanliness and friendly atmosphere, particularly considering it was the event's first edition.

Will State Fayre return?

Yes. Following the success of its inaugural edition, organisers have confirmed that State Fayre will return in 2027.