FESTIVAL: Hop Farm Festival

WHEN: 4th July - 5th July. The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent

WHAT: The festival season is fast upon us; after next weekend's Glastonbury follows the Hop Farm Festival. After the success of last year's Neil Young headlining show Hop Farm has extended to two days. The ethos is simple - everyone gets the same treatment - there's no VIPs and branding is shunned in favour of a purist festival experience of music, music and more music.

2ManyDJs are almost worth the entrance fee alone, but head to the smaller stages for White Denim, 65 Days of Static and Rumble Strips.


WEAR: What difference does it make? This is a back to basics affair so t-shirt and jeans will do nicely.

Tickets are still available

http://www.hopfarmfestival.com/

Claire Evans

FESTIVAL: Standon Calling

WHEN: 31st July - 2nd August. Standon, Hertfordshire

WHAT: Our favourite small festival, Standon Calling returns for another weekend on 31st July. Fusing art and design with music (and a swimming pool,) Standon Calling is a tiny 3000 capacity festival with a big pull. Its small setting offers a great chance to see little bands who will soon be big bands, like Golden Silvers, Michachu and this year's headliners Friendly Fires. Other highlights are Son of Dave and Femi Kuti and the, frankly odd addition, of Tony Christie if that's your thing.

As well as the music, there will be literature, theatre and of course art - look out for the large Eidophone, a machine that turns music into paintings.

Standon Calling should be the benchmark for every other festival out there.

WEAR: As the theme is Space, it has to be those Moon Boots I thought I'd never be able to wear

Tickets are still available.

http://www.standon-calling.com/

Claire Evans