Returning after the mammoth success of 2016’s weekend, Standon Calling is set to confirm itself as the definitive festival experience of the summer with a fresh batch of new additions joining a bill of musical icons, cutting-edge entertainment and fun for all the family.
Leading the newly announced names are acclaimed indie-kings Editors, bringing their dark-edged post-punk anthems to Standon Calling this summer. Across five studio albums, Editors have become one of the true cult sensations in British rock, with number one albums, monumental festival headlining slots and countless sell-out headline tours. Expect the distinctive vocal moods of frontman Tom Smith to soundtrack an unmistakable festival moment, when Editors point to their next exhilarating chapter at Standon Calling.
One of the most vital and influential voices in modern British music, Kate Tempest will continue her unprecedented rise with an appearance at this year’s Standon Calling. Delivering poetic and straight-to-the-bone tales of personal struggle and modern day society, Kate has become a vital voice of a generation, with latest album ‘Let Them Eat Chaos’ sitting as one of the most unique and multi-layered releases of 2016. Constantly creating and unafraid to shy away from real life truths, her appearance at Standon Calling this year is not to to be missed.
One of the most notable singer-songwriters of the last decade, Scottish-native KT Tunstall is set to bring her infectious folk blues and vintage indie rock sound to Standon Calling as her stunning renditions of ‘Suddenly I See’ and ‘Black Horse And The Cherry Tree’ are certain to be fan favourites across the summer weekend. In addition, Sheffield folk-pop favourites Slow Club are sure to deliver a spellbinding set of classics and new cuts alike following the release of third studio LP ‘One Day All Of This Won’t Matter Anymore’.
Taking a passion that has flowed through him since his teenage years, Award-winning actor and bonafide DJ Idris Elba will be making his way to Standon Calling this summer, set to deliver a DJ set that spans across genres, styles and generations as he dives right into his vast record collection for a Standon moment that’ll be talked about for years to come. The incredibly prolific Doc Brown – comedian, actor, and rapper – will make his way to the Hertfordshire countryside, treating festival-goers to the sharp-witted tales of incoming new album ‘Stemma’ – his first dedicated foray into music in over a decade. Modern disco-spinner Lindstrøm will make his Standon Calling debut this year, soundtracking late-night memories with his contemporary electronic take on disco, whilst South London cutters Horse Meat Disco will bring their own blend of modern dance to the fields, showing just why thousands flock to their every party with a celebration of unified dance vibrations at the festival’s hub of late-night euphoria – The Cowshed.
Sets across the festival are destined to point to the future sounds and beats that’ll be taking over record collections in the coming year, with new additions such as tropical electro-pop trio Strong Asian Mothers, Libertines very own John Hassall And The April Rainers, riotous anthemic riff hitters Yonaka, Wakefield four-piece Skinny Living and London wonderpop weavers Peluche – ensuring that phenomenal music of all genres makes for a weekend like no other this year at Standon Calling.
From top to bottom, Standon Calling is lining itself up to be the true definitive festival weekend of the summer, providing entertainment across the board for all music fans and all ages. Continuing its long-standing reputation for remarkable musical memories and stunning performances, this year already sees confirmed headliners Orbital and Clean Bandit primed for landmark moments – along with confirmed sets from the likes of Slaves, Laura Mvula, Gary Numan, Nothing But Thieves, Steve Mason, !!! (chk chk chk), British Sea Power, Nadia Rose, Dutch Uncles, Fickle Friends, Cabbage, Akala and many more. With a very special Sunday night headliner to be announced, Standon Calling once again promises a weekend that’s guaranteed to astound and amaze in music-lead treats.
Speaking about the latest announcement, Festival Founder and Director Alex Trenchard said:
“I believe we’ve created the strongest Standon Calling line up in the festival’s history with the new additions in this announcement.
I’m really proud of it and especially excited that Editors, one of my favourite festival acts, will be at Standon and supporting our yet to be announced Sunday night headliner. Kate Tempest, KT Tunstall, Slow Club need no introduction and I’m looking forward to both Idris Elba and Lindstrom keeping us dancing until the small hours.
Next week we announce our final VERY SPECIAL headliner to round off our 2017 line up. There really has never been a better time for people to join us at Standon Calling for an amazing festival weekend.”
Over at The Lawn, there’s entertainment at every turn, lead by the incredible new comedy programme. Headlined by one of the nation’s leading new comedians and TV stalwart James Acaster, Standon Calling brings a highly-anticipated hour long Edinburgh preview to the festival. With emerging star John Robins also confirmed for a set, expect to hear the belly laughs ringing from the comedy programme of stand-up and sketch performers across the weekend. Along with the gather-round thrills of the Pub Quiz, the sipping of smooth concoctions from the Cocktail Masterclasses, the unwinding Acoustic Sets or the in-depth talks – Standon Calling has it all.
Whether it’s adults letting their hair down until 4am to the rings of late-night dance or dipping in the outdoor swimming pool, kids aged from toddlers to teens enjoying a daytime array of unique activities and celebrated entertainment or even dogs participating in the renowned Standon Calling Dog Show there’s something unmistakably new at every corner of Standon Calling.
It’s marked out by an incredible Family Programme across the weekend, lead by the renowned live spectacle of Horrible Histories The Best Of Barmy Britain coming to the Main Stage on Saturday for an unmissable guide through history. Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Reborne will bring a range of incredible dance workshops and performances to the fields, with further fun destined across the site with a family programme full of surprises and enthralling moments.
Sit around the campfire and enjoy a toasted marshmallow over some striking storytelling with the Standon Calling Campfire, fall into a world of magic and wizardry with Wish Upon A Party, learn and explore the wonder of nature with the Fairyland Trust, tap into the inner-acrobat within by jumping into the circus filled fun of Ethereal Productions, enjoy puppets, waterbombs and slapstick gold with Kats Whiskers, fall into the Happy House Toddler Rave and Multisensory Baby Sessions of Hartbeeps and even master your graffiti and beatboxing skills at the Hip Hop Academy. There’s never a dull moment for families at Standon Calling this year, and with a Mortimer Nannies creche, Travellers Baby And Toddler Space, Craft Zones and Libraries too – it’s a family weekend that sits unparalleled across the summer.
Unparalleled and unmissable, Standon Calling 2017 will once again open its gates for a weekend that defines the British festival experience.