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Dozens of new names for this year’s Standon Calling festival have just been announced – and festival founder Alex Trenchard spoke to Mike Porter on the Breakfast Show to tell listeners who’ll be there.
Boasting a phenomenal music bill combining Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Famers, Mercury Prize winners and pop superstars – things continue to go up a notch, with special guests and local St Albans’ natives Friendly Fires joining the party this July. Blending tropical vibes and sizzling party sensibilities, Friendly Fires are recognised as one of the best live bands on the planet. Two stunning albums have catapulted the band to mammoth stages and their hotly-anticipated return last year with ‘Love Like Waves’ and ‘Heaven Let Me In’, Friendly Fires are once again set to claim their crown as an essential live band for an entire generation – dancing moves and all!
Revered as a unique and creative powerhouse, Róisín Murphy has emerged as a true svengali of modern culture. First emerging as one-half of 90s favourites Moloko, Róisín has continued to innovate and create with her own take on experimental pop, scooping Mercury Prize nominations and critical acclaim across the board. As Róisín Murphy enters a bold new era, expect her appearance at Standon Calling to be a display of an artistic genius unlike any other.
Already packed with the best in thriving new music, the hotly-tipped Mahalia will head to Hertfordshire this summer with her slick neo-soul meets R&B set to takeover in the months ahead. Guaranteed to be a moment to tell others about in the years to come, Mahalia is on the cusp of superstardom. A multi-discipline collective that has emerged as one of the most influential new movements in British music, Steam Down will bring a whole lot of unbridled talent and energy to Standon Calling this summer – taking the feeling and jaw-dropping atmosphere of their Deptford residency shows for an incredible festival moment. Capturing the bursting world of modern jazz out of the heart of South London, their assortment of effortless artistry and grooves are bound to go down a storm when Standon Calling comes around.
Alongside a string of rising names including the sunshine glints of Kawala, local songwriter Emma McGrath returning after previous appearances on the BBC Introducing stage at the festival, fizzing Irish punks Fangclub, the raw and punchy Babeheaven and folk wordsmith Hattie Whitehead – it ensures that a true mix of styles and flavours take pride of place at Standon Calling this year, with music discovery and a new favourite act around every corner.
From live music greatness to late-night electronic frolics, these new additions join a phenomenal bill spread across the grounds of Standon Lordship, boasting an eclectic mix of international superstars, talked-about favourites and rising new talent. Headlined by the iconic Nile Rodgers & CHIC, the Mercury-Prize winning Wolf Alice and pop supremo Rag’n’Bone Man – the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen, IDLES, Lewis Capaldi, Kate Nash, The Big Moon, Band Of Skulls, The Go! Team, The Joy Formidable, Sea Girls, Erol Alkan, Simian Mobile Disco, Warmduscher and many more are all set for remarkable moments across the July weekender.
And with family entertainment from Dick & Dom and Mr Bloom & His Band, alongside a stellar variety of unique activities and a laugh out loud comedy bill including Russell Kane, Angela Barnes and Abandoman – Standon Calling 2019 is packed from top to bottom with something for everyone.
