Alanis Morissette has stepped in to replace Neil Young at the UK’s State Fayre Festival.
The 80-year-old music legend had been due to headline the new event at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex in June but he pulled out of the slot last week and cancelled his entire European tour – but organisers have now announced Ironic star Alanis will be taking his place in the line-up with Skunk Anansie also added to the bill.
A statement released by organisers on social media explained: “We are delighted to announce that the incredible @Alanis will be headlining State Fayre on 27th June 2026 at Hylands Park.
“We also welcome @SkunkAnansie to our Saturday lineup on main stage alongside all of our amazing acts.”
The State Fayre Festival will now be headline by Alanis along with Kings of Leon and The Lumineers. Other acts on the bill include The Black Crowes, Elvis Costello and The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Counting Crows, KT Tunstall, and The Coral.
Young had been due to kick off his tour with his band the Chrome Hearts at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK on June 17 with stops in cities including Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and at the Blenheim Palace Festival in Oxford before taking the shows to Europe.
The tour was scheduled conclude in Udine, Italy on July 26, but Young announced last week he was pulling the plug on the entire schedule.
In a post on his website, he explained: “”I have decided to take a break and will not be touring Europe this time. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets. I’m sorry to let you down, but this is not the time.
“I do love playing LIVE and being with you and the Chrome Hearts. LOVE Neil be well.”
Neil – who turned 80 in November – recently admitted he spent years dreading the big birthday but he’s since come to accept his age and decided it “doesn’t matter any more”.
Speaking to fans on a live Zoom chat in January, he explained: “I thought I’d be scared. I was scared of getting to be 80 all the time until I was 80. And then I went: ‘I’m 80. What the heck? Who cares?’ It doesn’t matter any more. Lots of things don’t matter that used to matter.”