Lounge on the Farm headliners announced
aaamusic | On 11, Feb 2011
Lounge on the Farm Festival 2011
July 8th – 10th
Merton Farm, Canterbury, Kent
Headliners announced:
The Streets
Ellie Goulding
Echo & The Bunnymen
Lounge on the Farm – ‘a new style of lounging’
Having carved itself out a niche as a festival known for its unique location on a real life, working farm (with real animals roaming about), plus a strong focus on delicious locally sourced food, family friendly atmosphere and reputable line-up, Lounge on the Farm Festival will double its capacity in 2011 to 10,000 people and also cement itself as one of the key boutique UK festivals for the summer. And at just 55 mins on a train from Kings Cross, this is an easy festival to get to for Londoners.
The Streets, Ellie Goulding and Echo & The Bunnymen have been confirmed as the main headliners for the July event. Lounge on the Farm is the first UK festival to announce the appearance of each of these celebrated artists.
’Computers and Blues’ – The Streets’ reported last ever album – was released this week and cements Mike Skinner as one of the most influential UK artists of the past decade. If it proves to be his send off summer, his appearance at LOTF is guaranteed to be a huge crowd-pleaser and one where you really will need to dry your eyes.
Lounge on the Farm are also very pleased to announce Brit Awards 2010 winner and 2011 multiple nominee Ellie Goulding for the festival. After the huge success of her recent single, ’Your Song’, she returns with her sophomore album later this year – expect to be treated to some new material.
Having recently announced their return to touring, Ian McCulloch’s legendary band Echo & The Bunnymen will be playing a selection of their favourite tracks from the seminal albums ’Crocodiles’ and ’Heaven Up Here’ to close the festival on the Sunday night.
What’s New?
2011 sees Lounge on the Farm introduce its new Main Stage (capacity 4000), a move that will see the festival grow to new heights whilst preserving its core ethos – booking a line up that mixes new bands from across the board with classic heritage acts.
Additionally, The Sheep Dip Stage will be hosted by Moshi Moshi, Transgressive Records and Chess Club on subsequent nights, ensuring a slew of cutting-edge bands are presented. Meanwhile, The Cowshed – formerly the main stage of the festival – becomes The Hoe Down. The 2000 capacity tent, kitted out with state of the art sound systems, will turn into the most unique dance arena in the country, keeping the party going till the early hours.
The newest addition to the festival this year is The Meadows Stage, replacing The Further Stage; it will remain a haven for an eclectic mix of bands across the musical spectrum. Whilst at The Farm Folk Stage, festival-goers can laze away the day in the sun listening to bluegrass, Americana and traditional folk.
History:
The first seeds of the festival were sown in the spring of 2004, due to chance meeting between ‘Lounge Original’ Sean Porn and the son of a farmer. Together they watched a band perform aboard a lorry in Canterbury – ideas were exchanged and a telephone number was hastily jotted on a pack of Marlboros.
2006 saw the birth of Lounge on the Farm and since then it has been going from strength to strength, including winning the “Best Line Up” at the 2009 UK Festival Awards and the “Sustainability” award at the 2008 Greener Festival Awards.
Lounge on the Farm was built around the desire to do something different, to bring a unique slant to the packed and competitive UK summer festival market. Located on the gorgeous and invariably sun drenched landscape of Merton Farm, LOTF combines the very best elements for the ultimate British Summertime. With a line-up that represents a mixture of chart-topping acts, hot new bands, DJs and local talent, there will be something for everyone, plus plenty more to discover as well.
All food and drink on site is locally sourced, including the delicious ales and ciders and traders sell everything from kippers to scones. The cows are raised all year on Merton Farm to become the superb burgers and steaks served on site.
“Vibrant, rustic affair with exquisite food, hay bales and a farmer who patrols with his dogs” The Telegraph
“Enjoy the quaint setting, laid-back beats, locally sourced food” The Guardian Guide
“Lounge on the Farm is an expert as showcasing superb new talent set to blow up” Clash Music
“With sumptuous weather every year, Lounge on the Farm has created a niche for itself as a gorgeous countryside getaway.”Drowned In Sound
“Top 50 Things To Do This Summer” The Sunday Times Style
“Top 10 Boutique Festivals” The Times Travel
“Top 20 Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of” The Observer Travel
Early bird ticket prices:
Adult ‘Farmer’ day/weekend tickets – £40/£95
Family ‘Farmers’ day tickets – £80
Family ‘Famers’ weekend without camping/weekend with camping – £190/210
Youth ‘Farmer’ (13-17 years) day/weekend tickets – £30/75
Child ‘Farmer’ (6-13 years) day/weekend tickets – £20/45
Student ‘Farmer’ weekend tickets – £95
Student group ‘Farmers’ ticket (for 10) – £850
Teacher ‘Famer’ weekend ticket – £65
Tot ‘Farmer’ (0-5 years) weekend ticket – £1
Campervan/Mobile Car – £40
Early bird tickets are available from Feb 17th until Feb 23rd. Tickets will be on general release from Feb 24th. Tickets are available from www.ticketline.co.uk and are subject to booking fee.
Luxurious Boutique camping at Lounge on the Farm will also be available in 2011, more information to follow soon.
