Live Review

Lounge On The Farm: Summary – Merton Farm, Canterbury

• 27th Jul 2011

Lounge On The Farm: Summary

Lounge On The Farm is the festival for punters with all tastes. Situated just outside Canterbury, in Kent, it finds itself as being one of the closest weekend camping festival s to London, bringing in a diverse range of people of all merits. Whether your taste be of a quiet nature or heart pounding drum and bass, the line-up made sure every base was covered. 

Finding myself taken by the Meadows field, home to adventurous cabaret, hearty folk, the best falafels in the festival – it became an easy space to seek solace and chill out throughout the weekend. It’s welcoming spirit, also seemed to wash with most people as comments on the Facebook page after the event did nothing but praise the area.

—

Day one, headlined by The Streets, saw audiences enjoy a day of musical highlights from the likes of Devlin, Vaccines and TEED who all entertained crowds at the main stage.

Further afield though, the Chess Club Records hosted Sheep Dip saw alternative fans flock for a taste of something different. As sets from Summer Camp and Benjamin Francis Leftwich both went down well.

The African influenced Fool’s Gold were also a highlight to be seen throughout the day as sunshine feel good track ‘Surprise Hotel’ set a small crowd off into fits of rippling movement. The weather seemed to fortify a good mood throughout the site leading the way for Mike Skinner to supply a heavy soundtrack to the end the first day of LOTF. The Streets set saw odd live outings for tracks ‘Heaven For The Weather’ and ‘Never Went To Church’ as crowds skanked below the now modified ‘Lunge On The Farm’ sign.

–

On Day two, Moshi Moshi records held their contribution at the Sheepdip making it seem the firm place to be throughout the day, as a mass of hotly tipped newcomers excited the quaint audiences that found themselves sat throughout the field. Vision Of Trees seemed to be a highlight at the early stage as their fast, edgy bass induced a wash of approval from punters.

With the hot weather again continuing the chilled out mood, Jamie Woon supplied a sun kissed dub vibe to audiences cowering to find shade around the main stage. As the evening grew nearer and beats grew faster, Katy B seemed to draw the biggest crowd of the day. Joining everyone for an evening dance, she seemed excited to be playing the festival.

Saturday night saw a huge audience draw towards the quaintly named Farm Folk tent, as smooth charmer Johnny Flynn preceded the joyful Melodica, Melody and Me to provide an evening of light-hearted delights and sing-a-longs. Fun could also be had in the ambiguous Playhouse tent, whose line-up featured an array of alternative arts throughout the weekend. Whether comedy or belly dancing workshops were your flavour – a good time was to be had in there. A scorching performance from comedy newcomer James Acaster seemed to be the firm favourite on Saturday though, as he previewed his Edinburgh Fringe show to an audience almost in tears of laughter.

—

The final day of the festival saw a slow start as groggy faced groups battled their hangovers to forage out for breakfast delights, but this posed a problem as outlets around the site didn’t seem to want to open leading to large queues and distressed individuals. A possibly hint at something to be tackled next year.

An air of excitement did seem to poise the air, though, as those with programs released tonight was the night the famed Hospitality records would take over the dance area of the festival.

Until then, a steady tide of great acts played to crowds at the main stage. Newcastle boys Little Comets followed Dog Is Dead to provide a great warm up for exciting sets from the heavier Art Brut and Joy Formidable. All of which left a lasting feeling of pleasure to continue the day onwards.

With Netsky, Danny Bryd and London Elektricity of the Hospitality troop rocking fans late into the night, those that hadn’t already left, found themselves in the grasp of front man Ian McCulloch of the legendary Echo & The Bunnymen – who’s set seemed something of a reminiscent affair. 

—

Lounge On The Farm overall seemed a fun and exciting weekend for all involved, offering a welcome break from the fast paced city lifestyle. Though some of its audiences seemed questionable in their nature at times, the surprising blend of individuals seemed to work alongside each other.

To me, the festival seemed to hold the appeal of being a bit like a large county fete, to be enjoyed by both locals and those from further afield. What is for certain though, is that it’s growth sets to be an interesting one, and I look forward to see what exciting surprises it may hold me next year.