Hop Farm Festival - July 4-6 2014
Great looking bill. Not too far away. A chance to see music legends and old favourites. This had to be worth a go and did not disappoint.
The weather was kind and music great. Really, really good weekend.
The weather was kind and music great. Really, really good weekend.
Day 1 - Friday 4 July - Sunny and very warm
New to me:
The Jezabels (excellent)
The Full English (folk "supergroup" with Seth Lakeman)
Old favourites:
10cc (not seen since the 1980s) - a great set with the latest lineup - sang along word perfect.
Nick Lowe - everyone's favourite uncle and Johnny Cash's favourite ex-son-in-law.
Good to see :
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott of The Beautiful South,
The Lightning Seeds
Echo and the Bunnymen.
Headlining legend: Ray Davies. Moving set following his sister's death (the previous day). Songwriting God and story teller. Klassic Kink.
New to me:
The Jezabels (excellent)
The Full English (folk "supergroup" with Seth Lakeman)
Old favourites:
10cc (not seen since the 1980s) - a great set with the latest lineup - sang along word perfect.
Nick Lowe - everyone's favourite uncle and Johnny Cash's favourite ex-son-in-law.
Good to see :
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott of The Beautiful South,
The Lightning Seeds
Echo and the Bunnymen.
Headlining legend: Ray Davies. Moving set following his sister's death (the previous day). Songwriting God and story teller. Klassic Kink.
Day 2 - Saturday 5 July - warm and sunny spells
New to me:
Tinlin (nice)
Azedeh (OK)
Nerina Pallott (OK)
Slow Club (fabulous)
Old favourites:
The Feeling (good old pop)
Squeeze (great song book)
Good to see :
Paul Carrack
James Blunt (good set by someone who genuinely seems to be a little surprised that his career has been this good - also, he seems to have powers over both female and male fans)
Headlining legend: Brian Wilson and his band. He wrote so many fabulous songs for the Beach Boys. Such a shame that drugs and ill-health have taken their toll. Good to see him and his nine piece band plus Al Jardine from the original Beach Boys.
New to me:
Tinlin (nice)
Azedeh (OK)
Nerina Pallott (OK)
Slow Club (fabulous)
Old favourites:
The Feeling (good old pop)
Squeeze (great song book)
Good to see :
Paul Carrack
James Blunt (good set by someone who genuinely seems to be a little surprised that his career has been this good - also, he seems to have powers over both female and male fans)
Headlining legend: Brian Wilson and his band. He wrote so many fabulous songs for the Beach Boys. Such a shame that drugs and ill-health have taken their toll. Good to see him and his nine piece band plus Al Jardine from the original Beach Boys.
Day 3 - Sunday 6 July - bit of a mix
New to me:
Ordinary Noise (good stuff)
Meadowlark (very sweet)
The Dunwells (good solid pop/rock from Leeds)
Danny and The Champions of the World (I have heard the name many times, and they were different than I thought they would be (acoustic) - but still a very good noise)
The Family Rain (another good one)
Good to see:
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Peter Hook & The Light (blinding set including a bit of New Order and Joy Division)
Old favourites:
Bellowhead (brilliant as always)
And also:
Chas & Dave
New to me:
Ordinary Noise (good stuff)
Meadowlark (very sweet)
The Dunwells (good solid pop/rock from Leeds)
Danny and The Champions of the World (I have heard the name many times, and they were different than I thought they would be (acoustic) - but still a very good noise)
The Family Rain (another good one)
Good to see:
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Peter Hook & The Light (blinding set including a bit of New Order and Joy Division)
Old favourites:
Bellowhead (brilliant as always)
And also:
Chas & Dave
General note regarding the pictures:
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs that I have attended).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(26 Feb 2015)
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs that I have attended).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(26 Feb 2015)