The first band to take to the main stage at this year's Hop Farm Festival are San Diego's Transfer (4), who appear to be happy to be here and showcase a confident performance. Smooth violining and the use of mystic delay sounds from guitarist Mathew Molarius evaporates any awkward filler between songs. That said, it's arguable that this largely seated crowd have become motionless due to a heavy amount of mellow numbers mid-set. Nonetheless, they have their true fans screaming throughout and the large, open commanding riff of 'White Horse' will undoubtedly have gained them some new ones today. It's just a shame there aren't more people here to see it. As the sun comes out of nowhere, so does a much larger gathering for the appearance of City & Colour (4). Offering twangy lead tones, warm rhythm sounds and silky vocal harmonies, head-honcho Dallas Green appears to have pleased everyone in-sight, even setting off a few giggles with some Prince-related banter. This singer-songwriter is undoubtedly a festival favorite and for good reason, too - it's as if 'Fragile Bird' was written for grooving in the outdoor sunshine. Taking to the stage with a roaring 'yeah!' easily mistakable for Metallica's James Hetfeild, Aussie-rocker Jimmy Barnes (4) is undoubtedly the heaviest act on today's bill. Brimming with energy and swaggering vocals, Barnes is able to win himself a crowd within a matter of seconds, despite it being a mostly static one. it's as if the previously mentioned Hetfeild calmed down slightly and began fronting some solid hard rock.
Inducing the largest crowd and loudest sing-alongs of the day so far, 10cc (5) deliver a setlist that any festival crowd (one that is never made up of an artist's own fans) would dream of: hit-after-hit-after-hit. 'I'm Not in Love' has the crowd at it's knees whilst pouring their heats out - it's as if every word is being reflected right back at the stage. However, during finale 'Rubber Bullets' things take an unexpected turn: the generator blows and the stage loses all power. a small portion of the audience flees, but after 10 minutes, the band return heroically and give their setlist the ending it deserves. Those who left, missed out. This band have defiantly set the bar high for today. Perhaps almost too high, then, for Death Cab For Cutie (3) to reach. Nonetheless, this doesn't stop them from putting on a breathtaking show of their own, with lots of energy and momentum. They even provide one of the day's most memorable basslines with 'I Will Possess Your Heart'. In no way do they let the delay caused by the recent power fault tamper with their presence and passion. The stage's big screens return to power seconds after the arrival of Brandon Flowers (5), who is positively blazing in the evening's lush, late-afternoon setting. This is the sign of a performer who knows his songs well, delivering them to a packed-out but bouncing crowd with confidence and control. The appearance of The Killers bassist Mark Stoermer for a performance of 'Read My Mind' only aids Flowers, as does ending a gone too soon 50 minutes with a dance-infused version of 'Mr. Brightside'.
With the appearance of a colourful big-screen backdrop and exotic dancing girls, Roxy Music man Bryan Ferry (3) certainly brings the most theatrical and choreographed show to the stage so far today. For what may be silky guitar tones and beautiful instrumental passages on record simply over-exaggerates on-stage, so much so that a passing hot air balloon is able to get more attention from the frozen crowd. Only for his last 15 minutes does Ferry really hit his stride, but at this time, his set is over before it has a chance to really get started. As tonight's headliners The Eagles (4) unexpectedly open their set with 'Hotel California', a song widely regarded as a timeless classic since it's release almost 35 years ago, it cannot help be felt that it doesn't quite get the massive song-along it deserves. That said, the band go on to present a 95-minute masterclass showcase of riffs and songwriting where even newer numbers like 'Long Road Out of Eden' slide smoothly into place alongside well-known crowd pleasers such as 'Peaceful Easy Feelin' and 'The Long Run'. The large amount of bright, fixed lighting blows Ferry's theatrics out of the field and goes to show that this band are simply a spectacle to watch. As the sun disappears and night-time becomes ever more present, 'Desperado' brings a day of live music to a mesmerizing conclusion as well as proving that The Eagles are still at the top of their game, all those years after originally forming.
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