Full Breakdown
Kings of Leon Headline Inaugural State Fayre Festival in Chelmsford
6/28/2026, 12:54:49 PM
Opening Night – Core Event
On 26 June 2024, Kings of Leon headlined the inaugural State Fayre festival at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England. The event, promoted as the UK’s biggest music and barbecue festival, followed opening performances by The Black Crowes, Stephen Wilson Jr and Kingfishr. The band took the Main Stage during a record-breaking UK heatwave, with barbecue aromas reported across the venue. The heatwave was described as record-breaking.
Festival Concept and Audience Experience
State Fayre blends rock, Americana and country music with American-style food, décor and fairground rides. Organisers present the weekend as a music-focused barbecue fair, capitalising on unusually hot summer weather. Attendees noted the scent of grilled food drifting over the crowd while rides operated alongside the stages.
Setlist Highlights
The band opened with “Find Me” and performed a 20-song set that featured fan favourites such as “The Bucket”, “Fans”, “On Call”, “Use Somebody”, “Closer”, “Molly’s Chambers”, “Black Thumbnail” and “Sex On Fire”. Additional tracks included “Revelry”, “Manhattan”, “Supersoaker” and “Razz”.
Official Statements & Responses
Frontman Caleb Followill said the show felt like a homecoming. Festival promoters reiterated the event’s positioning as the UK’s biggest music and barbecue festival. In album interviews, the band described the new record as their most enjoyable work and noted they allowed themselves to be musically vulnerable.
Tour Continuation and Album Reception
Kings of Leon will resume a UK and Ireland tour with shows in Belfast (29 June), Limerick (1 July), Glasgow (3 July), Manchester (4 July) and Leeds (6 July), followed by a slot at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival. Their 2024 album “Can We Please Have Fun” earned a three-star NME review, calling it “easily KOL’s most promising, liberated record for over a decade” while noting it is “still surprisingly restrained in places”. Band members Caleb and Nathan Followill said the album was the most enjoyable record they have made and highlighted their musical vulnerability.
Upcoming State Fayre Acts
The festival continues on 27 June with Alanis Morissette headlining after replacing Neil Young, and includes Skunk Anansie. The final day, 28 June, will close with The Lumineers, alongside Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton and Counting Crows.
Verbatim Quotes
- “it feels like being home” — Caleb Followill, frontman, Kings of Leon
- “It was the most enjoyable record I’ve ever been a part of,” — Caleb Followill, Kings of Leon
- “It’s like we allowed ourselves to be musically vulnerable.” — Nathan Followill, drummer, Kings of Leon
- “easily KOL’s most promising, liberated record for over a decade” — NME review, music publication
- “still surprisingly restrained in places” — NME review, music publication
