Over the weekend, UK country fans joined together at Country Calling in Chelmsford, Essex. As well as catching up with the artists, Maverick Country had the pleasure of spending the weekend soaking up the festival atmosphere at King’s Farm. A celebration of all things country In its sophomore year, the promoters wanted to emphasise how this is a festival built by and for country music fans, and as you walked around the arena, you could really feel the attention to detail that has gone in to planning it. The intentional way the festival had been laid out worked exceptionally well, with plenty of space to roam among the music lovers sporting cowboy hats and boots. Both could be picked up at the trading post which featured lots of exciting vendors including Ariat, Vera Black, UK Country, and The Cow Girl Club. Western fashion has really picked up this year and anyone who is into this scene would have been at home among the market stalls at Country Calling, and coming away a few pounds lighter for it! All things Americana were celebrated at this year’s Country Calling, with American food vendors, muscle cars, fairground rides, and a Nashville-style dive bar where punters could take part in line dancing classes or jam out to some of the acts performing on its stage. Country Calling is also a family friendly festival with free tickets for under 16s when accompanied by a paying adult and a dedicated area for arts and crafts and line dancing. A festival on the rise As for the music, there was ample opportunity to soak in a wealth of talent from artists from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia; whether on the Main Stage, Caffè Nero Stage, the dive bar, or sat on top of a hay bale at the Homstead stage, the festival proved to be a feast for country fans. Another key ingredient of the Country Calling formula is that every artist on the bill is an original recording artist which sets it apart from other country music events in the UK which rely heavily on tribute acts. What is particularly exciting about attending Country Calling is the prospect of discovering your new favourite artist or someone who may go on to top the charts. Overall, Country Calling feels like a festival which is quickly cementing itself into the UK country music scene. Between the carefully-curated way the festival was laid out to the exceptional selection of artists, there is no doubt this festival will soon become a fan favourite that will have many returning in 2027.
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