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The first incarnation of the Hop Farm Festival was a one day event in 2008, on July 6. Neil Young, Primal Scream, Guillemots, Supergrass, Laura Marling, Rufus Wainwright, My Morning Jacket and Everest were all on the bill. Vince Power created the festival as a response to the highly corporate feel of some other festivals. The unique selling point of Hop Farm was that there would be no sponsorship or branding, creating a “back to basics” feel, making it all about the fans rather than the money: the only money would come from the price of a Hop Farm Festival ticket. The original capacity was around 30,000 people.
In 2011 Hop Farm Festival expanded to a three day event and confirmed its place as one of the essential festivals in the summer calendar. Boasting performances from Prince, Eagles, Morrissey, Death Cab For Cutie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed - it was a truly unforgetable weekend. Roll on 2012!
