Hertford singer-songwriter George Ezra will return to his home county this summer to headline the Standon Calling music and arts festival.
Standon Calling 2018 will take place in the Hertfordshire countryside near Ware from Thursday, July 26 to Sunday, July 29.
And the festival will feature a very special homecoming headline slot from George Ezra just down the road from where the 24-year-old musician grew up.
• MORE: Bryan Ferry to headline Standon Calling 2018
The Budapest singer was born and raised in Hertford, and was also a student at Hertford Regional College.
Speaking about his hotly anticipated headline slot at Standon Lordship, George said: “This will be the closest to a homecoming gig that we have ever performed.
“I have family and friends that are at the festival every year and they absolutely love it. I hope me performing doesn’t change that for them...”
He added: “I was very flattered to be asked to play by the guys at the festival and can’t wait to get up on stage.
“Does anybody know what the fancy dress theme is this year?”
In answer to that question, the festival’s story for 2018 is The Future.
One of the biggest-selling breakthrough acts of the decade, George Ezra and his earnest tales of life and love have taken him around the globe since the release of album Wanted On Voyage in 2014.
Ezra’s debut studio album reached number one in the UK, and was the third best-selling album of 2014 in the UK behind Ed Sheeran’s x and In The Lonely Hour by Sam Smith.
He releases his follow-up album Staying At Tamara’s on March 23.
With a catalogue of singalong favourites under his belt – from Budapest, Listen To The Man and Cassy O to Blame It On Me, Don’t Matter Now and latest single Paradise – George’s headline set at Standon Calling is destined to be a tender and electric homecoming.
George Ezra and the BRIT nominated Paloma Faith, who was also confirmed as a Standon Calling headliner in today’s line-up announcement, join the previously announced Sunday night festival closer Bryan Ferry at the top of an eclectic bill.
Alongside the three main stage headliners, Standon organisers have also announced Goldfrapp, The Horrors, Django Django, Maribou State, Little Simz, Tokio Myers, Marmozets, The Amazons, Pale Waves, Shame, Ibibio Sound Machine and many more.
Speaking about the raft of names included in the line-up announcement, Standon Calling founder and festival director Alex Trenchard said: “Only 15 minutes from where George Ezra grew up, Standon 2018 will set the scene for the homecoming show to end all homecoming shows!
“Brilliantly, Paloma Faith returns to Standon – nearly a decade on – as an international star and household name with her spectacular focus on performance.
“They both join the legendary Bryan Ferry, who will be celebrating 45 years of Roxy Music. And that’s just the headliners!
“Goldfrapp, The Horrors, Little Simz, Tokio Myers, Pale Waves, The Amazons – our line-up this year is one I am truly proud of and very excited to see this July with the amazing Standon Calling audience. And, of course, there’s much more to come.”
• Tier 4 tickets are now on sale for Standon Calling 2018.
For further details, head to http://www.standon-calling.com/tickets
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