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Lounge diary: day 1 - Friday

There had been much anticipation for this year’s Lounge On The Farm Festival, as five very special guest animals would grace Merton Farm with their presence. The surprise act was none other than the Super Furry Animals, and was rightly labelled ‘the biggest band since The Who to hit Canterbury’.

Effortless cool

What is so noticeable about the festival is its effortless cool, as you weave your way through a field of maize, bordered by white picket fencing. As I walk down the dry and dusty path towards the echo of thumping beats, the faint waft of organic roast starts to invade the nostrils.

One oddity that LOTF should be proud of is the lack of commercial sponsorship. From organic food, to clothing and to music, everything is locally sourced.

Much anticipated

Tonight was to be Lounge On The Farm’s biggest night of the three. Not only were headliners The Super Furry Animals preparing for their much anticipated performance in their makeshift dressing room, but The Noisettes had just arrived and were ready to blast through one of the most energetic sets of the evening.

Lounge diary: day 2 - Saturday

Weary heads were beginning to lift themselves from the green pastures of Merton Farm.

The sun seemed to have its hat firmly placed on its head, as temperatures were reaching heights the county of Kent had not seen for a while, despite what the forecast might have said.

Today was an important day for the festival. Terry Hall (lead singer of the Specials) would be turning up to perform with the Dub Pistols. This maybe a discreet festival but some of the acts booked are by no means small in status.

One tent that got all of the new music lover’s mouths watering was the ‘Sheep Dip Tent’. 1965 records had agreed to put on just a few of the bands that feature on the label throughout the day. Not only did this generate interest from the Soccer AM team (popular Sky show), but Blur’s very own Graham Coxon came along with his family to find out what’s happening down on the farm.

It wasn’t until the sun started to set when Terry Hall arrived fashionably late.

As the headliners, The Dub Pistols, came on and rolled through their set, the question was on everyone’s lips. Would Terry Hall be playing tonight? Would he even make an appearance?

Forty Five long minutes had past without a peep from the living legend and people were beginning to wonder.

As it came to the last song from the corner of my eye a dark figure strolled his way onstage to take position. Cheers from the crowd could be heard and the first notes of The Specials old time classic ‘Gangsters’ shot through the speakers and down the spines of most the stunned onlookers. It had been over 20 long years since that song was on the airwaves and now a nostalgic moment for all to enjoy rounding up a perfect summers day.

Lounge diary: day 3 - Sunday

I made my way past the picket fencing and field of maize to meet with Rich from Alabama 3. As I entered a tall double-decker tour bus I could see Rich sitting at a  table sock less with a pair sunglasses firmly on despite the poor lighting within.

As I stuck my arm out to greet the Scotsman he blurted out a deep grumble in the form of a “howdy”. Strangley enough, Rich was a Scotsman no more. Infact from what I could gather Rich was deciding to be an American today, with a deep southern accent. Trying desperately to throw a few questions his way a mere murmer and drunken ramble was all I could gather from poor old Rich. The contents of the paper cup he was holding wasn’t water as first thought.

Despite Sunday being the hottest of the three days, it was clear that this did not deter people from joining in the mad and chaotic dancing that was taking place in the ‘Hoedown Tent’. This makeshift dance tent proved popular over the weekend, as did the ‘Sheep Dip Tent’, with bands such as ‘The Draytones’ and ‘Ripchord’ performing.

It was a breath of fresh air to see people of all ages enjoying good food and great music. The Festival brought people from all walks of life. The euphoric atmosphere never once turned, people were there just to have fun.

Speaking to Matt, an organiser at the festival, it was clear that the event was not planning to get bigger. Despite its endless potential to be bigger in size and notoriety, there is no plan for anything to increase. ‘This is a local festival for local people’, he said, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.