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The first ever Hop Farm Festival took place earlier this month and its illustrious line up meant that it was a resounding success. The bad weather didn’t stop 30,000 people from turning up, to give support to the festival that claimed to be “taking live music back to its roots”. Legendary rocker Neil Young headed the bill and was joined by huge names such as Supergrass and Primal Scream in a one day festival carried out on a single stage.

Los Angeles indie outfit Everest began the day as black clouds hung ominously in the air, but still managed to begin proceedings with all the character and professionalism expected of a band whose reputation is quickly growing Stateside. However, it was the arrival of Reading’s folk sensation Laura Marling that got the crowd firmly in the spirit of the day. Marling played a short but beautifully sweet set, showcasing songs such as ‘Ghosts” and “My Maniac and I”.

Downpour

As the Guillemots took to the stage, the rain had turned into a downpour. This did not stop Fyfe Dangerfield and his merry band from trying to inject some much needed sunshine in to day. The once Mercury Music Prize nominees enthusiastically encouraged the crowd to get into the party spirit despite the torrential rain producing wonderful pop songs such as “Trains to Brazil” and the delightfully carnivalesque “Sao Paulo”.

Rufus Wainwright

Next up was a brave solo set by Rufus Wainwright. Despite usually calling upon the aid of large orchestral accompaniment, Wainwright proved that he could deliver a great performance relying solely on the power of his own voice. He also got the greatest cheer of the day so far when, rather aptly, the sun came out to a splendid rendition of “Hallelujah”.

My Morning Jacket provided the most leftfield set of day with their glorious vocal harmonies and reverb soaked guitar sounds. Playing songs mainly from their cosmic Americana classic album “Z”, they won over a crowd that wasn’t expecting such a joyful experience from the Kentucky based prog-rockers.

Sing-alongs and anthems

Supergrass provided the first real sing-along’s of the day. As they took to the stage, front man Gaz Coombes quipped that they had bought the sunshine onstage with them, a joke which was well appreciated by the still slightly damp crowd who were basking in the sun for the first time today. Popular singles “Alright” and “Pumping on Your Stereo” were the perfect prelude to a crowd pleasing set from Primal Scream, who’s highlights included “Movin’ on Up” and new single “Can’t Go Back”.

However, the man that everybody wanted to see was undoubtedly rock god Neil Young who delivered a mainly electric guitar based set that also included great acoustic favourites such as “Heart of Gold” and “Old Man”. Young spent most of the evening displaying his phenomenal guitar playing talents but his most powerful performance was the organ heavy version of “Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)”. It was a performance that, despite the unwelcome return of the rain, enthralled the crowd and reminded us all why Neil Young is such an important figure in the history of popular music. 

The Mighty Boosh

The Mighty Boosh played the Hop Farm on the day before Neil Young. Phil Harrison went along. Listen to his report: