The Hop Farm Festival

Ah, a non-metal, non-rock, non-rave festival, and my first camping festival of the year. Somehow that pitch seemed to fit perfectly with my recent "I'm always tired and not sure I can do festivals any more" thinking. Heading off from my hometown of Feltham (or Filthtown as I like to call it) I couldn't wait to get to the festival site and reeelax, lay in the sun and listen to some folky tunes. Despite it being easy peasy to get there and park up, it didn't get off to a good start. Firstly I locked my keys in the car as soon as I arrived, doh, and secondly I couldn't find Box Office 2 (who, I was told, would have my wristband) anywhere. Why didn't ANYONE know where Box Office 2 was?!

Anyway, so I found it, got on site, set up camp, and headed into the arena - which was delightfully small. Wandering around the array of stalls in search for a drink and maybe some good old festival food, I stumbled across Liz And The Ligers playing the Bread & Roses stage. I hadn't heard of them before and couldn't work out if I liked them or not, but ultimately decided I did - they sounded like a band from the early 60s and not really like anyone around now, and Liz herself was rather intriguing, so that was a good accidental watch.

After buying a massive bag of fudge, and finding out that 'hot hot chocolate' meant spicy chocolate, I headed over to the Big Top tent to have a listen to my dad's recommendation, Peter Green & Friends. As a big Fleetwood fan I kind of knew I'd like this already, and I certainly did.

With so many distractions, it was the evening before I got to the main stage, just in time for Blondie, yay. How is Debbie Harry 65? She sounded and looked amazing. Pouring out hits 'Call Me', 'Maria', 'Heart Of Glass' and 'The Tide Is High', having Blondie on the bill may have looked ever so slightly out of place for Hop Farm, but it really worked.

I then caught some of Van Morrison's headline set, before running back to the Bread & Roses stage to watch The Ruskins - a local band for me and one I've seen several times. Performing with loads of energy, as usual, The Ruskins really shook up the stage - playing an unexpected old skool garage medley, and by the end of their set the crowd had doubled and were even singing along to 'Old Isleworth' and invading the stage for the final song.

Day two, another blisteringly hot day, started off at the well-placed campsite stage where I could eat brekkie. As we headed back into the arena we were just in time for the lovely Magic Numbers. Next up were two of my favourites, Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling. Whilst both played amazing sets and showed off their talent, I couldn't help feeling disappointed that they didn't use the opportunity to duet! Plus the sound from the main stage was definitely on the quiet side - with the sound from one of the funfair rides just a little too close for comfort.

Despite wanting to see Villagers and curious as to check out the Jim Jones Revue, mismatched stage times meant I completely missed them both, nooo. However, Seasick Steve definitely made up for it, with his raw performance and tales of homemade instruments.

The new poster boys of folk, Mumford & Sons, were up next on the main stage, and completely charmed the crowd, getting everyone up on their feet for their latest singles.

Following on was the legend that is Bob Dylan, sounding gruffer than I'd expected. Despite it being an amazing performance to watch, I only stuck around for the first half an hour, running off to the Big Top tent hoping that I hadn't missed my favourite of favourites, Devendra Banhart. I was greeted with the sounds of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (yep the stage times were still all muddled). A nice surprise though, as they were completely different from any other bands I'd watched that weekend, all playing brass instruments with some hip-hopping over the top. The crowd went wild.

Finally taking to the stage, an hour late I hasten to add, Devendra was the perfect finale to the festival. Playing his new stuff and slightly jazzed up older material, he was incredible and adorable to watch, especially with his random cover of Taylor Dane's 'Tell It To My Heart' - "Tell it to my heart, tell me I'm the only one..."

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