TOP LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR REVAMPED HOPS AND HARVEST BOUTIQUE FESTIVAL

Organisers promise “It’s not your average weekend in the country – it’s an amazing one!”

Apopular Kent festival celebrating local ale and country life is relaunching with a new focus on music and entertainment for all ages. This new–look boutique festival will be hosting Starsailor, Newton Faulkner and Toploader on the Main Stage to name just a few. Raising the game for the music programme the above will be supported by more than 100 artists, bands and performers across three stages, including the Live and Local Arena. There will also be a series of local up-and-coming musicians taking to various stages on the site throughout both days. Renamed the Hops and Harvest Boutique Festival, the two-day

family event at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, near Maidstone, will feature an extended schedule of activities, as well as the hop-picking, local ales and traditions which have made the festival a lasting success. This family-friendly event will be mixing all that was good from the previous 30 years of Hops and Harvest with some fabulous new festival venues and entertainment. There will be the usual hop

picking, the Kentish Ales and Cider Tent, the Pearly Kings and Queens, The Farmyard, Cuddle Corner all nicely

co-habiting with The Bohemian Woods with a fun Wish Upon a Star activity, Hipshaker in the Village Hall; workshops, debates, poetry and spoken word in The School House and fantastical story-telling in The Granary. Kent Life’s General Manager Natalie Cox said: “The Hops and

Harvest Boutique Festival will be bigger and better than before, while maintaining the traditions of an event which spans decades. With an impressive music line-up, fantastic locally-produced ales and plenty of activities for the children, there really is something for everyone. We really mean it, this is not your average weekend in the country – it’s an amazing one!” The Hops and Harvest Boutique Festival will be open from midday to midnight on both days (Live performances finish at 11pm)

The Bands

Starsailor (Saturday) burst onto the scene with hit single ‘Fever’ – being named Britain’s Best New Band in the process – before reaching number two in the UK Album Chart with ‘Silence Is Easy’. Starsailor reformed in 2014 and have supported the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Killers and U2.

Starsailor have announced their brand new album ‘All This Life’, set for both physical and digital release on September 1st via Cooking Vinyl. The triumphant lead track ‘Listen To Your Heart’ is the stellar opening track from the album. Lead singer & guitarist James Walsh describes it as, “an energetic, emotional song. I think in doing what we do, you have to be emotion and instinct lead. If every decision was sensible, practical and mulled over, we’d never have done anything or got anywhere. It’s not always easy, so you have to keep reminding yourself.”

Newton Faulkner (Sunday) topped the album chart with his debut LP ‘Hand Built By Robots’. Since then, he has adopted a style of music which has a greater emphasis on beats and texture which is perfect for festival slots. In the process, he has amassed a loyal following and shed his iconic dreadlocks.

Toploader (Sunday), most famous for their rendition of ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, have sold millions of records and amassed a series of Top 20 hits since they formed in 1997. With a new album out this year, and plenty of older hits, the band will live up to their reputation of being a crowd-pleasing act. Other support acts announced are: Bang Bang Romeo - https://www.facebook.com/bbromeo The Wholls - https://www.facebook.com/thewholls/ Up Down go Machine https://www.facebook.com/updowngomachine/ Vamboo https://www.facebook.com/vamboofficial/ Duke of Wolves - https://www.facebook.com/dukeofwolves/ Live and Local Talent There are many more local acts to still be announced, but take a look at some of the talent: The Peaks - https:/www.facebook.com/thepeaks Contraband - http://www.thisiscontraband.co.uk

Hobo and Hippies - http://www.facebook.com/pg/hoboandthehippies

Ben Russell and The Charmers - http://www.benrussellandthecharmers.com