Back from 2012’s success and more eclectic than ever, Merton Farm’s Lounge On The Farm 2013 edition was an event not to be missed.
There had been some criticism from fans regarding the line-up of this year’s event, with headliners Seasick Steve (7/10), Jessie Ware (8) and Soul II Soul (6) not necessarily thought of as outright headline material, yet all three pulled off superb shows to prevent the crowd from feeling disappointed.
Also on the Main Stage across the weekend were Man Like Me (7), who brought the party atmosphere to the masses, as well as Tribes (8), perhaps throwing their name into the hat to headline next time?
Aside from the Main Stage, there were five other stages boasting a plethora of talent to keep the crowds pleased across the three-day event, despite the rain downpours on the Saturday.
New for this year, the Hoe Down tent brought a fresh and modern element to the bizarre (in a good way) nature of the festival, bringing dubstep and dance music to the Kent countryside.
In personal opinion, it is always a great feeling to be introduced to new music, and to find new bands and artists, and that’s exactly what the Farm Folk and Farmhouse stages provided across the weekend.
Lucy Kitt (7), who did a live session with CSR FM, and Norma Jean Martine (7), wowed the crowds at the Farm Folk tent, with their chilled acoustic performances bringing tranquillity and soothing tone to the ears of the visitors.
Across the farm to the Farmhouse Stage, and festival goers were treated to an excellent set from indie rock band The Doctorates (7) on the Friday, and from local band High Tide (8), who were extraordinary on the Saturday.
A change of tone was added on the Sunday at this stage however, when Boogie Wonder Band (8), singing all things disco, turned the folk to funk.
But aside from the music, there were still plenty of other entertainment opportunities to be found across the site, from a Solar Cinema, to an onsite Spa. Tucked in among this was the Playhouse, which played host to all things comedy and performance throughout the weekend.
The Boom & Bang Circus (7) headlined the three nights in the Playhouse, bringing an element of risk and risqué to the billed family friendly festival, as the darker side to the festival came out to play, in its seductive performance.
However, without a doubt the finest performance in the Playhouse came from comedian Stephen K Amos (8) on the Saturday, whose set delighted a huge crowd, thoroughly deserving of the applause he received at the end.
Yes, okay, Lounge On The Farm is no Glastonbury. It’s no Reading, it’s not Benicassim and it’s no Latitude, but that doesn’t mean it’s not good.
As festivals go, this was as entertaining and as refreshing as ever before, and it even had Barry from Eastenders doing Karaoke, so there was something for everyone.