Standon Calling Festival is due to return as an eight-day event, but it will no longer include camping or late-night raves.<\/p>\n
The music festival, last held in 2023, had been a regular fixture in Standon, Hertfordshire, since 2006.<\/p>\n
During a licensing sub-committee meeting at East Hertfordshire Council, founder Alex Trenchard said most attendees would leave after the headline act finished and only a small number of guests would have access to a “glamping” area.<\/p>\n
Councillors approved the licencing application on the condition the capacity of the event does not exceed 20,000 people in 2026, including staff and performers.<\/p>\n
The festival will now be held as a series of events spread over two weekends, within a 14-day window between 1 May and 30 September.<\/p>\n
Previously the festival continued with rave-like entertainment after the headline act finished, until 04:00 BST, but attendees will now have to be off-site by midnight.<\/p>\n
Previous festival headliners have included Wolf Alice, Jess Glynne and Hertfordshire local George Ezra.<\/p>\n
The festival director explained its previous business model was no longer viable due to “rising costs”.<\/p>\n
“This licence is part of my efforts to ensure a festival, that has been part of the community since 2006, continues,” he said.<\/p>\n
The capacity would be allowed to grow to 25,000 in 2027 and 30,000 in 2028.<\/p>\n
Mr Trenchard estimated about 500 of those attending would camp at the event as part of the “glamping” offering.<\/p>\n
Those staying overnight would have access to a bar area playing low-level music until 02:00.<\/p>\n
He also predicted about 700 staff would be on site at peak times.<\/p>\n
Large car parks will be built at the site, and their would be shuttle services connecting to the railway network.<\/p>\n
Late night DJs have been a big part of the festival in the past, including actor Idris Elba in 2017 [BBC]<\/p>\n
Hertfordshire Constabulary raised concerns over security, event duration and noise management, but said it had reached an agreement with the applicant after conditions were added.<\/p>\n
Two local residents had raised objections about noise, antisocial behaviour and concerns some people had still not received refunds for cancelled events in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n
It was also pointed out that vendors who worked at the event were not paid<\/a> after working at the festival in 2023.<\/p>\n Mr Trenchard and the council said attempts had been made to contact the local objectors, but they had not responded.<\/p>\n Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a>.<\/p>\nMore on this story<\/h2>\n
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