Hop Farm festival is the perfect microcosm of everything you would want from a festival. 

The spacious and chilled out campsite was a short walk away from the main festival site, along which we were entertained by music from several funky buskers set up in dedicated spots. The stages were all within easy walking distance of each other, but with enough going on all around to keep you amused for the full weekend. The backdrop of Oast houses definitely added to the atmosphere and were a constant reminder that we were deep in the Kent countryside. 

The overall vibe was very friendly - as well as the standard festival going crew, the crowd was bustling with super hip 5 years olds decked out in the coolest festival fashions to 30 somethings enjoying the day with their parents, and pretty much every one else in-between. 

Saturdays musical highlights included an epic rendition of Street Life from Randy Crawford, the inspiring, yet eerie, sounds of Slow Club followed by a high paced blast from Maximo Park which gave the crowd exactly what they were looking for to launch into Saturday evening.  They gave us all the favourites with Apply Some Pressure and Our Velocity - but played at pace which certainly got everyone going. Whilst Bob Dylan headlined the main stage, we chose to watch Primal Scream rock the Big Tent with an incredible nostalgic set peaking with a never ending version of Come Together. And when we thought it was all over, with nothing but the Comedy Tent left open, an Indie Disco spurred into action with some classic 90’s tunes that prompted crazy dancing into the small hours of the morning.  

A brilliant set from Athlete got us back into the swing on things of Sunday - treating us to both vintage and recent tracks - and it was tough holding the tears back with their finale of Wires just as the heavens opened. However, the forced retreat into the Bread and Roses tent allowed us to discover an absolute gem in the south London group fiN playing their first festival of the summer, and their new track Twenty Three, with absolute gusto.

Suede put on a great show to bring the festival to a end, with Brett Anderson at times literally leaping around the stage. Closing with Still Life, they definitely sent the crowds home very happy.   

The food on offer was standard festival fare – but more on the gourmet side of things than greasy noodles - and there were plenty of ice cream vans to make the most of the sunny weather. Burgers definitely tasted the better for being grilled by a crazy man, dancing his heart out to some squelchy beats. The festival takes keeping the beautiful farm clean seriously with paper cup reclaim, a lot of litter pickers and disposable ash trays, which was great to see. 

With Hop Farm, Vince Power has created an experience that is all about going back to basics and remembering what a festival should be about - the punter and the music.  And in doing this he has created a festival that has something for everyone, making it perfect for veteran festival goers and first timers alike. Given 2012 saw Hop Farm celebrate its fifth year in existence, I can’t help but wonder why I haven’t been before.  

Review and photos Laura Herrod & Georgie Parnell