Standon Calling 2011

Standon Calling information

It started with just 25 people, a swimming pool, a set of decks and a BBQ. Now, it's Britain's most authentic independent festival. Standon Calling is a three-day party involving themed fancy dress, secret areas that open up at midnight and an on-site nightclub that never seems to close. Oh and there's still a swimming pool to cool off in. Independent, intimate and consistently innovative, more than half of 2009's Mercury Awards nominees have played at Standon.

2010 theme announced:
Murder On The Standon Express!

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Standon Calling Lineup

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History of Standon Calling

We started with just 25 friends, a swimming pool, a set of decks and a BBQ for Alex?s birthday. The next year Alex asked a few more friends and someone brought a guitar and a set of bongos. Then we had the bright idea of inviting some bands and building a stage. It collapsed. But it was good while it lasted, so we spent some time honing our carpentry skills, sourced some more up-and-coming acts and realised we had a festival on our hands.

Having grown by word-of-mouth, we?ve got a bit bigger since those days, but retained our home-grown ethos and commitment to championing new artists. More than half of last year?s Mercury Awards nominees have played Standon Calling and you?re pretty much guaranteed to discover bands before most people have heard of them. Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires, Mumford and Sons and The Noisettes all played Standon before enjoying the profiles they do today. Similarly, we?ve had The Maccabees, Mr Hudson, Glasvegas, Delphic and Paloma Faith.

Throw in classics like Super Furry Animals, Hawkwind, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force and Tony ?Is this the way to Amarillo? Christie, alongside leftfield acts such as Sunra Arkestra and Acid Mother?s Temple to mix it up and you get an idea of the sort of varied line-ups we put together. When the live music?s over we take full advantage of our 6am licence, as DJs and various other performers take over our now infamous nightclub in a cowshed. As befits the UK?s only nightclub in a festival it seems to keep getting nominated for various dance awards.

But Standon Calling is about much more than just the music and we?re keen to support interesting artists of all ilks, be they painters, sculptors, writers, actors, comedians or even chefs. A different theme takes over the event each year, reflected in the interactive theatre, art installations, set designs, and outrageous outfits our guests dream up. Last year, we turned to crime and transformed the site accordingly, while in 2009, Standon went intergalactic and alongside the telescopes, the Tardis and Button Moon sculpture were two giant tuning forks that fired dancing lasers into the sky.

Standon Calling info
What:	Standon Calling
When:	Thu 11th Aug 2011
Where:	Standon, Ware, Hertfordshire
How Much:	£120
Lineup:	2011 Lineup
Tickets:	Standon Calling Tickets
News:	Standon Calling News
Travel:	Standon Calling Travel
Hotels:	Standon Calling Hotels

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