State Fayre Festival

On Saturday, I saw one of my childhood icons live in concert. Alanis Morissette headlining Chelmsford's State Fayre was a masterclass in raw power and presence, a moment that fulfilled a long-held dream of my twelve-year-old self.

State Fayre is situated in Hylands Park in Chelmsford, a Grade II* listed Essex parkland that once boasted V Festival but is now home to State Fayre's celebration of rock, country and Americana folk culture. With a capacity of 30,000 over three main stages, the festival was intimate but full of life. The setup flowed naturally from the main stage into smaller tents surrounded by an array of food trucks from different cuisines. I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonable pint price of £6.00, the lack of dramatic festival inflation a refreshing change from usual prices. Pint secured, I decided to begin exploring the area.

This was my first time at State Fayre and it's safe to say I'd absolutely return next year. Dancing through the sea of cowboy hats, I ventured into the Big Top tent, my attention captured by the genre-bending sound waves of Elvis Costello and The Imposters. Costello's set was characterised by his distinctive genre-pushing style. One of the most influential artists to emerge from the late 70s punk scene, Costello's sound has endured decades through its ability to regenerate with the times while never losing its earthy soul. Hearing 'Oliver's Army' live was a stand-out moment for me, the song one I've loved for years.

Next up were Skunk Anansie whose politically charged lyricism was carried through the festival on shockwaves of alternative punk. The 90s band have enjoyed a certain resurgence in recent years, their fixture on the major European festival circuit bringing with it a new and younger fanbase and a sense of renewed appreciation for their hard-hitting messages. The band's set featured a curation of old favourites and new tracks alike. It is obvious that Skin remains one of the most compelling frontwomen in the modern rock scene, her intensity quite incomparable.

Skunk Anansie's grandeur called for a refuel from me at this point, and what better way to curb my hunger ahead of Alanis, than an exploration through the festival's food area. Billed as "the UK's biggest music and BBQ festival", expectations were certainly high and I was not disappointed. As a vegetarian, the bbq areas were a little less my thing, but the meat lovers were spoilt for choice, with options ranging from pulled pork tacos to loaded burgers. The herbivores were equally well catered for, with the Club Mex stand offering a "totally vegan" menu of tacos, nachos and burritos. Another fantastic option was the Oko tent, which served me a commendable pumpkin katsu curry. With my energy renewed, I peeled my way through the already expanding crowd awaiting Alanis in anticipation.

Alanis Morisette's performance was everything my younger self could have imagined. Following Neil Young's withdrawal from the festival in early February, the team did an incredible job at securing a replacement headliner of such calibre and whilst I'm sure there was disappointment in Young's absence, this was superseded by an unmatched energy from Morissette's crowd.

The Canadian-American singer songwriter's onstage presence was magnetic as she prowled her turf with the ease of a well-seasoned performer exactly where she wanted to be. Alanis ignited the crowd from the outset, opening with 'Hand in my Pocket' and setting the tone for an incredible performance. What was immediately obvious was Morisette's continued love for her craft, she sang her long-standing tunes with a freshness that belied the years of repetition.

For a relatively new festival, State Fayre was well equipped to accommodate the buzzing crowd Alanis's set drew in. I spoke with members of the audience who told me of how Alanis's music had been there for them "when nobody else was", devoted fans who had waited for hours to ensure their spot at the barrier. Morisette certainly does have a quality to her music that seems to hold you when times are tough, her motifs of female empowerment continuing to provide comfort to generations of listeners. 'Ironic' was without doubt my favourite song of the set, the track one I've been screaming with the windows down in my car for years. As her set drew to a close, Alanis Morisette thanked her fans for their continued support, reminding everyone that it's love and human connection that enable her to curate her iconic musical genius, words that felt like soul medicine at a time the world needs love above all else.

The night ended for me with a brief entry into the Bongo's Bingo DJ set, definitely not my thing, but the crowds seemed to love the DJ's energy and as I left it was clear that for some, the night was only just beginning. State Fayre, what a pleasure you were.