CORNWALL’S most rambunctious garden fête music festival will be bringing an extra dose of rock royalty to the main stage.

Chevy Metal, the high-energy cover band founded by the late Taylor Hawkins, now fronted by his son Shane, will be performing at The Great Estate, which is taking place at Scorrier Estate between May 29 and 31 2026.

The gig on the Saturday night will be the band’s only UK appearance in 2026, making Saturday night one for the history books. Chevy Metal will be joined by California rockers The Alive, plus a special drum clinic from Shane Hawkins and Miles Elze themselves.

Chevy Metal was born in 2002 as a side hustle between Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and his close friend Wiley Hodgden, bass/vocals, and Hawkins’ drum tech. What started as two friends jamming their way through quintessential rock classics quickly grew into a full-throttle cover band, joined by guitarist Brent Woods, a protégé of Randy Rhoads and seasoned touring musician.

For a decade, the band tore through small clubs and backroom bars before exploding onto the bigger stage, playing festivals, arenas, and even stadiums alongside icons like Dave Grohl, Joan Jett, and Mick Jagger. Chevy Metal became known for their raw energy, deep-cut setlists, and a pure love of classic rock. When Taylor passed away, Chevy Metal honoured him at the Wembley and Forum memorial shows.

Thought to be their last performances, the band gained new life when Taylor’s son, Shane Hawkins, stepped in on drums. With Shane now at the helm, Chevy Metal continues to channel the spirit of old-school rock and roll while keeping Hawkins' legacy alive.

Born out of California’s surf and skate culture, The Alive came together in 2018 and have since carved out a fast-rising reputation on the global rock scene. Their explosive live energy has taken them to stages at BottleRock, Shaky Knees, Ohana Fest, and Boardmasters, as well as the career-defining moment of opening for Foo Fighters on the main stage at Lollapalooza Chile 2022. Along the way, they’ve shared bills with the likes of Jimmy Eat World, The Hives, and Infectious Grooves.

Festival directors, Ben Hall and Ian Whittaker said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Shane Hawkins back to The Great Estate. His unforgettable performance last year created one of the most talked-about moments in our festival’s history. This time, he returns with his band Chevy Metal, bringing a full-throttle rock ’n’ roll energy that we know our audience will love. Shane carries the spirit and legacy of one of rock’s most iconic families while carving out his own exciting path, and it’s an honour for us to host that journey on our stage.”

Ahead of their main stage sets, Shane Hawkins (Chevy Metal) and Miles Elze (The Alive) will bring the noise to Madame Wong’s House of Wrong on Saturday with an exclusive drum clinic for fans and budding musicians. This up-close, no-rules session with two powerhouse drummers promises insider tips, stories, demonstrations, and the kind of energy you can only get before hitting the main stage.

Chevy Metal and The Alive will be joined at The Great Estate by Skunk Anansie, Land of the Giants and Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer with many more acts and headliners to follow.

Formed in London in 1994, Skunk Anansie became one of the most influential bands of their era, known for Skin’s powerful vocals, outspoken lyrics and fearless style. With hit albums like Paranoid & Sunburnt, Stoosh and Post Orgasmic Chill, and singles including ‘Hedonism’, ‘Weak’ and ‘Selling Jesus’, they sold millions worldwide and made history headlining Glastonbury in 1999. Fresh from a major UK tour and the success of 2025’s The Painful Truth, their highest-charting album to date, Skunk Anansie will close the festival in style, headlining the Sunday night.

For over 15 years, Cornwall’s Land of the Giants have lit up festivals and venues with brass-fuelled grooves, heavy bass lines and Andy Quick’s soaring vocals. From Glastonbury to Boomtown and shows as far as India, the award-winning six-piece are hailed as one of the UK’s must-see live acts, and with a new record on the way, now’s the time to surrender to Land of the Giants.

Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer has been championing Chap-Hop since 2007, blending hip-hop beats with banjolele, wit and dandy charm. With five albums, millions of YouTube views and appearances from Glastonbury to Newsnight, he’s earned a global cult following.

Away from the music, expect immersive theatre weaving through the gardens, outrageous cabaret and comedy, woodland raves, tucked-away gin bars, and feasts that stretch the length of banquet tables. Families stumble into circus workshops and eccentric games, while night owls lose themselves to silent discos, after-hours revelry, and the notorious chaos of Madame Wong’s House of Wrong.

Picture flamboyant flocks of human flamingos parading across the lawns, drag queens dazzling with sequins, heels, and unapologetic sass, all orchestrated by a larger-than-life master of ceremonies. Blending heavyweight live acts with wild, whimsical happenings, The Great Estate has carved out its reputation as one of the South West’s boldest and most unforgettable summer festivals.

Since the inaugural event back in 2017, The Great Estate has played host to hundreds of bands, DJ’s and artists, thousands of partygoers, four camels, three suffragettes and a group of Mexican wrestlers. Created by Newquay-based production company Quick Panda Productions, The Great Estate continues to add its eccentric mark on Cornwall.