Watch our video report
from Lounge on the Farm 2009

by Adam Williams

Four years on and going from strength to strength, a spectacular
Lounge On The Farm festival saw crowds flock to Canterbury's Merton
Farm in record numbers.

By Sunday afternoon, festival revellers were bathing in glorious
sunshine to the sounds of folk, dance and jazz music, in between
sampling an impressive array of local food and drink.

Highlights of
the weekend included the main Cowshed stage jumping to the beats of
Roots Manuva (pictured left), who headlined on Saturday night. The
rapper, real name Rodney Smith, has a degree in Land Management and
was more than comfortable with his agricultural surroundings.

His cult hit Witness The Fitness had the crowd in a frenzy
during an energetic hour-long set. Sadly Southend indie band The
Horrors lacked the same stage presence during their Friday night
headline set, but finished stronger with material from their first
album Strange House.

Edwyn Collins then had the honour of finishing off the weekend's
main stage acts, with an intimate performance on Sunday evening.
The Scottish singer/songwriter, famous for Brit Pop hit A Girl Like
You suffered a stroke four years ago. But the 49-year-old was full
of life and character before going on stage, despite a busy weekend
which had seen him perform at Scotland's T In The Park festival on
Friday.

He said: "It's been great fun out on the road at the moment and
being here at the farm is exciting and different.

"I've taken a long walk round the site to see what's going on,
my wife Grace isn't too keen on the smell of pigs, but I like
it!"

Collins now walks with the aid of a stick and remains seated on
stage, but still finds time to enjoy his performances.

He added: "I don't get drunk now, like I used to before my
illness, but I must admit I do like to have a glass of champagne to
celebrate after a show and I intend to do the same
tonight."

Festival organiser Matt Gough (pictured right) was thrilled
to see thousands, both young and old, enjoying themselves on the
farm.

He said: "I think it shows that what we've got here now as a
concept is quite strong.

"It really feels like this festival's got its identity sorted.
Having spoken to people who have been coming here year on year,
they know what to expect now and that's something a lot of other
festivals around today don't have at all."

Check out the video report at the top of the page and
for more reaction and photos, see this week's Kentish
Gazette.