Kacey Musgraves & The Chicks complete all-female headline bill for State Fayre 2027

State Fayre 2027, scheduled from 18 to 20 June at Hylands Park in Essex, will feature an unprecedented all-female headline lineup with Kacey Musgraves, The Chicks, and Shania Twain leading the bill. This marks the first time a major UK camping festival has showcased exclusively female headliners.

The announcement follows the success of the inaugural State Fayre event, which attracted over 50,000 attendees to the Essex venue this summer. Festival organisers Anna-Sophie Mertens and Alex Simmonds expressed pride in assembling three artists who have each brought transformative influence to their genres and to music more broadly.

Complementing the headliners, the festival has revealed a wide-ranging roster representing country, rock, Americana, folk, and blues. Confirmed performers include Billy Strings, Sam Barber, The Corrs, Sons of the East, and Drake Milligan among others, alongside emerging names such as Dexter And The Moonrocks, Chance Peña, and Taylor Acorn.

The presence of Brothers Osborne and The Corrs, alongside the headlining trio, highlights State Fayre’s ambition to blend established acts with rising talent across multiple musical styles. This diversity contributes to the festival’s reputation as a platform for both genre stalwarts and fresh voices.

Cultural leaders from Chelmsford City Council welcomed the festival’s return, noting the positive impact of the first edition on the city’s cultural landscape and local economy. Councillor Jennie Lardge commented on the successful debut and expressed anticipation for the 2027 event’s expanded lineup.

The festival will also bring back The FUME Pit, its dedicated barbecue area, which will host over 15 UK and international food vendors throughout the weekend, catering to a broad audience including families and food enthusiasts.

Ticket sales are set to commence at 9am on Friday, 13 November, providing fans ample opportunity to secure access to the event. The full schedule details, including daily artist splits, have yet to be disclosed.

This all-female headline assembly is notable not only for its cultural significance but also for its potential impact on the festival circuit’s marketing and programming strategies. Securing three prominent female artists with substantial fanbases reflects a shift towards more inclusive and representative festival lineups.

From a commercial and touring perspective, the alignment of Musgraves, The Chicks, and Twain in a single festival offers a rare convergence of major country and Americana talents. Each artist has previously graced the cover of Music Week and has ongoing relevance in their respective markets, suggesting strong ticket demand and media interest.

The festival’s genre-spanning lineup may also influence streaming and sales figures for these acts in the UK, as exposure to a diverse audience often stimulates back-catalogue consumption and cross-genre discovery.

Mertens, a recent recipient of the Live Music Inspiration award at the Music Week Women In Music Awards 2025, continues to elevate State Fayre’s profile through innovative programming decisions that challenge traditional festival norms.

While additional artist announcements are expected, the confirmed lineup already underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing transformative female voices alongside a broad spectrum of musical talent. This approach could set a precedent for other UK festivals aiming to diversify their headlining acts.

The 2027 edition of State Fayre will thus not only build on the previous year’s success but also push forward conversations around gender representation and programming diversity within the UK live music sector.