What is it?

Hop Farm Festival is one of the newer festivals on the calendar having only started in 2008. However, despite its relative infancy, Hop Farm Festival can be given credit for what it is trying to achieve. Stripping itself back from the usual festivals which are sponsored and emblazed with various brandings, Hop Farm Festival centres itself solely around folk and independent music and carries a more casual attitude. However, they can still attract huge acts to play – its debut year hosting Primal Scream, 2009 saw Florence and the Machine, Editors and Paul Weller, whilst Van Morrison, Bob Dylon and Mumford and Sons appeared last year. It’s a case of ‘more of the same’ with Hop Farm Festival 2011 – with Eagles and Brandon Flowers amongst the big names on show. What is also unique about Hop Farm Festival is that it takes place on a Friday and Saturday as opposed to the usual two, three or four day weekend. Nevertheless, over 50,000 people still attend what is a delightful event.

Where & When?

Hop Farm Festival 2011 takes place on Friday 1st July and Saturday 2nd July at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood in Kent.

Who's playing?

Friday 1st July: Eagles, Bryan Ferry, Brandon Flowers, Death Cab For Cutie, 10cc, Jimmy Barnes, City and Colour, Transfer, The Human League, Ocean Colour Scene, The Walkmen, The Duke Spirit, James Walsh, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Noah Francis, The Secret Sisters, Stornoway, Erland & The Carnival, Goldheart Assembly, James Yull, Summer Camp, Treetop Flyers, Ben Howard, Steve Smyth, Liz & The Ligers.

Saturday 2nd July: Morrissey, Lou Reed, Iggy & The Stooges, Patti Smith, Magazine, Chrissie Hynde, Newton Faulkner, Damien Dempsey, Brother, Mary Coughlan, Manu Chao La Ventura, Noisettes, Gang Of Four, Graham Coxon, Tim Booth, The Bluetones, Frankie & The Heartstrings, The Paris Riots, Guillemots, Carl Barat, The Leisure Society, Cloud Control, Clock Opera, Blind Pilot, Dry The River, The Head & The Heartache, Brigid Power Ryce.

Sunday 3rd July: Prince, Tinie Tempah, Larry Graham, Graham Central Station, Imelda May, Labrinth, Dutch Uncles, Tall Ships.

Camp Acoustic Stage: Brother and Bones, Tankus The Henge, Never The Bridge, Nathan Marcado, Dan Reed, Neil Thomas, Ruarri Joseph, Sam Roman, Jim Stapley, Jem Cooke, Gemma Mewse, Mark Joseph.

How do I get tickets?

There’s a variety of Hop Farm Festival 2011 tickets available. A weekend ticket costs £141 including booking fee with a weekend camping ticket costing an addition £33.75 including booking fee. A single day ticket costs £75.75 including booking fee. Under 12’s go free. Click to buy Hop Farm Festival 2011 tickets.

Where can I read more about it?

Check out the official Hop Farm Festival site: www.hopfarmfestival.com.