Boasting one of the most diverse and all-encompassing weekends of the summer festival calendar, Standon Calling continues to go from strength to strength with a heavyweight array of new additions and areas revealed today for their most in-demand year to date.
Leading the array of incredible entertainment is the iconic presence of Jarvis Cocker (DJ Set). One of the most influential and groundbreaking frontmen and songwriter of his time, Jarvis stands as a true pioneer and game-changer in British cultural history. From his time commanding the stage in Pulp, to his solo detours and beloved 6Music show – Jarvis Cocker is a name synonymous with unstoppable entertainment, and his appearance at Standon Calling this summer is bound to be a must-see moment from a true musical great.
Always playing host to innovation and unbridled festival fun, Standon Calling’s new additions ensure that 2018 will be the festival’s best yet – with electronic guru Matthew Dear confirmed for a hotly-anticipated guide through unique and celebrated grooves. Continuing that rich vein of exciting and vibrant new music, the likes of gliding indie-hop moves Easy Life, genre-hopping Bakar, the rising voice of Lily Moore and alt-pop pedal mover Ralph Taylor all joining the fray for breakthrough moments across the weekend.
After last year’s storming and packed out stage, BBC Introducing returns again with its biggest lineup to date with a weekend full of sensational and tipped new music from across the Three Counties and Essex. Topping the bill is the punchy garage-rock hooks of Ten Tonnes, whose rise over the past 12 months has seen him became a future star in the making. Taking to the stage on the same day as his brother George Ezra headlines the festival, expect it to be a special moment that points to a songwriter set to be the soundtrack for the year ahead. Across the board, the lineup boasts an unrivalled spotlight on emerging talent – whether that’s the mesmerising voice of Folly Rae, the stirring Declan J Donovan, the infectious indie grooves of Blushes, sizzling upstarts The Scruff, Standon favourite Jack Cullen and electro mover Rocky NTI. With further appearances from Malika, Holiday Oscar, Tabou and Emma McGrath – and with a Very Special Secret Headliner to be revealed as well, BBC Introducing are shining a light on the best new talent the area has to offer.
Building on the sensational programme of entertainment spanning the stunning Lordship site, unique areas to explore have become a hallmark of Standon Calling – with some of its most daring and exciting voyages standing tall in 2018.
The Great Brain Robbery presets TECH NOIR
Longtime favourites of the festival and renowned party-starters The Great Brain Robbery return to Standon Calling this year with their greatest party yet – Tech Noir. Looking at 2018 through the eyes of 1984, Tech Noir is an apocalyptic, neon-soaked, late night sonic getaway – drenched in darkness and cutting-edge sounds. Featuring sets from the likes of alt-pop gems Artificial Pleasure and the punch Findlay amongst others – running right through to 3am with spinning DJs and much more, take a peek into the dark side and glimpse at a whole new reality.
Groove Garden
The home of all things funk/soul/disco/house at Standon Calling for the last ten years – Groove Garden has seen a range of famous faces roll through to keep the party going, all curated by Standon’s ‘patron saint’ Kid Fiesta. Expanding from its usual home this year into a new futuristic dome, the likes of The Nextmen, The Reflex, Dr Packer and more will all be taking to the decks for the perfect summer soundtrack – grooves guaranteed.
The Standon Playing Fields
Standon Calling has always dreamed big, but at its heart kept the unabashed heart of a good time with mates at a huge village fete – and this year they’re going one better with The Standon Calling Playing Fields. With games and activities at every turn, festival-goers can jump into the likes of Lord Trenchard’s Cricket Tournament, Binocular Football, Sock Wrestling and much more. Also, as the new home to the revered Standon Calling Dog Show expect the fields to be barking big time with an essential destination for all to jump into.
Vinyl Frontier
Another new venue for 2018, the Vinyl Frontier will be the ultimate living room for festival-goers to sit back and relax – with the vinyl decks spinning for campers to bring their own vinyl to soundtrack the frontier. With special guests slots taking to the decks throughout the weekend, the Vinyl Frontier is a step into the future drenched in the glory of the past.
It adds even more to one of the most in-demand festivals of the summer, with incredible sights, sounds and experiences making their mark across the weekend. Lead by headline sets from Bryan Ferry and Paloma Faith, along with a homecoming performance by local Hertford sensation George Ezra, it’s the perfect escape of fun and frivolity.
They’re joined by established titans Goldfrapp, The Horrors, Django Django and Maribou State along with innovative and fresh live favourites Tokio Myers, Little Simz, The Amazons, Marmozets, Pale Waves, Shame, Ibibio Sound Machine, Dream Wife, Tom Walker and Confidence Man. The Cuban Brothers are also set to perform a special 20th Anniversary Show, making Standon Calling an unrivalled weekend of varied and thrilling music for all. With family fun from Horrible Histories Live and Andy Day & The Odd Socks, award-winning comedy from Lucy Porter, Seann Walsh and Kerry Godliman and much more, Standon Calling is unlike any other festival this year, and a standout of the summer festival season.
Standon Calling is the full 360-degree festival experience. It is the biggest dog-friendly festival in the UK with an inimitable Dog Show, you can enjoy a mouth-watering array of stellar Food & Drink from London’s very best street food favourites, take a dip in the heated Swimming Pool, relax in the Hot Tubs or take part in a whole range of Wellbeing Classes and Workshops. Standon Calling is a trip into something more and an invitation for everyone to escape the world around them.
Now in its thirteenth year, Standon Calling offers a welcoming embrace to a weekend of music, arts, fun and pure festival joy. With an ever-growing and loyal audience from around the country, it’s a calling to an unparalleled and down-to-earth celebration that once a year pulls a community together. Nestled in the stunning Hertfordshire countryside, it’s an easy-to-reach voyage into something truly special. At Standon Calling they dare to be different, with a purposefully eclectic, inclusive and creative programme, carefully curated to reflect the unique interests of the crowds that gather year after year in its fields.
The perfect home for summer memories, Standon Calling is a defining beacon of the British festival experience.
Announced Today
Jarvis Cocker (DJ Set) // Matthew Dear (Live) // Bakar // Easy Life // Lily Moore Rachel K Collier // Ralph Taylor // Weaver Bros // Point Mantis // Tommÿ
BBC Introducing Stage
Top Secret Headline Set (TBA) // Ten Tonnes // Folly Rae
The Scruff // Rocky NTI // Declan J Donovan // Blushes // Jack Cullen
Emma McGrath // Malika // Holiday Oscar // Tabou
Tech Noir
Findlay // Artificial Pleasure // Anoraak // The Modern Strangers // Maethelvin Absolute Valentine // Knights // Carnival Of Souls // House Of Kittens
The People Pile // Kalax // Gus Robertson // Mental Blank
Groove Garden
The Nextmen // The Reflex // Dr Packer
Jalapeno Soundsystem // JStar // Phat Phil Cooper // Kid Fiesta // Beatwell
Don Simon // Kengo (Cuban Brothers) B2B Jay Cardner (4 To The Floor)
Jive Talk // London Disco Society