Standon Calling always delivers the epitome of the British summer festival experience, and following an incredible show last July reveals a huge first wave of names today. Four massive headline acts are announced along with a range of talent and treats from across a wide array of musical genres, for the ultimate fun-filled four-day camping weekender, happening 20-23 July 2023.
Riding high off the back of the acclaimed new album, ‘Night Call’, and a lead role in hit drama TV series ‘It’s A Sin’, British pop icon Olly Alexander is set to bring the spectacular Years & Years experience to Standon Calling. A once in a generation voice, and constantly pushing boundaries in pop music by challenging notions of identity and sexuality, Years & Years are easily one of the world’s most important acts right now. The uplifting and danceable headline set at Standon next summer will deliver the perfect festival boost for all to enjoy.
A testament to her dominating rise and deserved recognition, Self Esteem makes Standon Calling history by being the first artist to make the leap from a Laundry Meadows headliner to the top of the main stage bill the very next year. For all those that witnessed the closing show this summer on Laundry Meadows will know the raw power of this performance and its potential to shine in front of the main arena crowd. Following in the footsteps of arguably one of the most memorable sets, Self Esteem’s cathartic and choreographed show next summer will be something to behold, as Rebecca Taylor brings her NME, Brit and Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ to life.
Closing the show with a bang, Bloc Party join this huge headline reveal. Boasting a formidable live reputation and a deep catalogue spanning 20 years of hits, from their era defining ‘Silent Alarm’ to their incredible new release ‘Alpha Games’, the band are a firm favourite and a perfect fit for Sunday night at Standon, which is all about those well established heavy hitting household names.
Kicking off the show on Thursday night is another iconic British act. The Human League are headed to Hertfordshire for an iconic synth pop display for the ages. The pioneering Sheffield group arrive ready with a festival set packed with five decades of hits, bringing everyone together in electric dreams next summer!
Revealing a broad selection of artists as a first glimpse of another invitingly diverse weekend, Standon Calling peppers the bill with all those irresistible pop moments, alongside highly curated emerging acts and the ultimate late night party starters. Huge crowds are expected to fill the main arena for American superstar Anastacia, bringing multi-platinum hits and plenty of glamour to Standon Lordship next July. Continuing in a joyful celebration of girl power Melanie C serves up the best in classic British pop, and following her well received self titled release is seen to be an artist at the top of her game. More festival memories for the family audience are set to be made by Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, and one of the UKs most exciting new stars Dylan with her addictive rock star attitude.
Funky house star Katy B will be bringing the beats to the new look Electric Willows stage – Standon’s home of dance, nestled in the atmospheric woodland – and will be joined by a range of impeccable DJs including ErolAlkan, Girls Don’t Sync, Girls of The Internet, Jaguar and more to be revealed.
This year’s sun-baked show was heralded by many as the UK’s friendliest festival for families of all ages, and led to nominations for a number of heavyweight awards. After a being the first to achieve the Keychange pledge with an exciting and diverse line up, boasting over 50% female or non-binary artists, the UK Festival Awards shortlisted Standon Calling for ‘Line-Up of the Year’ and ‘The Innovation Award’, and have also been nominated for ‘Festival Of The Year‘ at the Live Awards.
Clearly on a mission to maintain its pledge to gender parity, 2023 goes one step further with equal representation on show in the biggest main stage slots. Standon Calling is also a festival famed for supporting acts rising through the ranks. After becoming one of the most talked about live shows of the past 12 months, Bob Vylan are back with their explosive grime punk show, alongside rising hip-hop, dub and psychedelia masters Sad Night Dynamite who make their long-awaited debut next summer, and the choreographed “masked drag monster” Lynks, who returns after a rapturous performance in 2022 – completing their journey through the past few years at the festival to reach the heights of the main stage in 2023.
Rightfully viewed as one of the best live acts on the planet, the electro-dance swing of Confidence Man will also return to Standon Calling next summer after the 2018 debut. Selling out venues and filling stages across the globe, expect this to be one of the weekend’s most talked about sets as the world catches on to the live spectacle that is Confidence Man. For those looking for more weird and wonderful bands who really push the envelope, look no further than Brighton’s post-punk, disco-funk phenomenon Squid, who take their turn to headline Laundry Meadows on Friday night.
A festival whose reputation for championing the superstars of tomorrow comes through yet again – as Dublin garage-punk outfits Sprints and gen-z dream-pop favourite floweroflove take their stands for a huge festival weekend of discovery, whilst the explosive rock hooks of STONE are set to bring the heat to Standon Calling as their march to the top continues.
Complete with Standon Calling’s famed programming of party takeovers and perineal festival favourites – including the likes of The Cuban Brothers, Club De Fromage, Queer House Party, Bowie DIsco, Feeling Gloomy, Age Against The Machine, Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno, and the beloved Beefy Melons – it’s just an opening taste for what’s to come from a celebrated gem of the UK festival summer, perfect for all ages.
2022 was certainly a year to remember with Madness, Anne-Marie, Loyle Carner, Primal Scream and more, and also saw the festival expand to four full days with more numbers than ever before arriving through the door on the opening day. 2023 looks set to raise the bar again in every way, with many more names and wider programming still to be revealed.
What makes this magic come to life is the immersive world of fun surrounding the superbly handpicked musical bill. Few festivals offer its own onsite swimming pool and riverside hot tubs, a famous dog show and colourful costume parade. The dedicated comedy line up is set to expand again having previously seen big names like Phil Wang, Milton Jones, Russell Kane and Zoe Lyons take the mic over on The Lawn stage, alongside illuminating talks from leading voices. Expect a packed weekend of free wellbeing classes and workshops, plus everything from circus cabaret to immersive theatre, and of course, an unbelievable selection of the UK’s finest street food vendors, as Standon proves year after year to be the ultimate foodie destination.
With more than just something for all ages, the Family Friendly Standon Calling brings you the best of everything for everyone, with family entertainment across the main stages, a dedicated kids area and campsite with everything you need, all in a beautiful boutique countryside setting only a stone’s throw from North London.
Speaking about today’s line up announcement, Festival Founder and Director Alex Trenchard says: “2022 was an incredibly special year for all of us at Standon Calling. It’s given us so much excitement to look forward to 2023, in what is shaping up to be the greatest Standon Calling to date. We’re so proud of this year’s progress in booking a gender-balanced headline bill and are certainly in for a good time. Couldn’t be happier to bring Self Esteem back and in an even bigger slot, alongside Bloc Party, an all time favourite of ours and one of the greatest modern alternative indie rock bands around. With more iconic names like Years & Years, The Human League and many more, we’ve booked some of the best live acts going, including future superstars ready to take over 2023 and much more – this announcement really captures everything important about Standon Calling. We can’t wait to see everyone next July, and we’ve got a LOT more surprises to come – so stay tuned!”
Tickets for Standon Calling 2023 are on sale now and available via the website here: http://www.standon-calling.com/tickets