Kickstarting the independent electronic music festival calendar for 2018, Alfresco festival ends the May late bank holiday weekend in style. From Fri 25 – Sun 27 May, Hop Farm in Tonbridge, Kent transforms into a musical realm of possibility.
Combining electronic music and a countryside setting to bring people together is what Alfresco festival does best, offering a weekend filled with escapism and opportunity to dance, sing and kick-start the summer of 2018.
The festival has expanded in its three-year journey, picking up an array of awards along the way including the #1 Event in the South of England of 2017 for DJ magazine, as well as securing its well-deserved place in The Guardian’s Top 10 family friendly festivals in the UK 2017. It’s now drawing in audiences from across the globe, spreading the love of music worldwide, plus some of the world’s finest DJs and artists filling the countryside with the sound of electronic beats and rhythmic dance rather than the chirping of nests of birds.
Alfresco comes to Hop Farm for the first time this year, filling seven stages with over 100 DJs and artists – its biggest site and line-up to date. The headline act will be DJ Harvey – lovingly named the Keith Richards of dance music – who co-founded Tonka Sound System, a collective of DJs, musicians, sound lighting techs and artists throwing parties, festivals and a weekly event at the Zap club in Brighton. The legendary DJ will headline on Sun 27 May, with a huge five hour set.
Fellow headliners include DJ duo Optimo who, with over 20 years’ DJ experience, are known for their memorable sets; legendary Derrick Carter, one of the pinnacles of Chicago house music 90s’ wave; English producer and DJ ‘Mr Scruff’, drawing his love of music from his bedroom mixing tapes to create electro musical sets; Midland, a house DJ who blending techno, disco and the sounds of his native UK; exceptional DJ Call Super, landing quietly on the scene only two years ago.
Also confirmed are feminist group Chicks on Speed, Crazy P Soundsystem showcasing underground disco style, electronic producer and DJ Curses, Fort Romeau, Ghost Culture, Hammer (Feel My Bicep), dance music project Hercules & Love Affair, Horse Meat Disco, and Paul Daley – who has been on the dance music’s frontline since the release of Leftfield’s debut single ‘Not Forgotten’ all the way back in 1990.
The festival may sound like it’s a bit electronic dance central, with some of the finest electronic acts spread across the weekend, however it also prides itself on being incredibly family friendly and accessible for little ones. It’s a great opportunity for those wanting to experience a festival with their whole family, packed with entertainment and activities for all the family throughout the weekend.
Rather than offering a half-hearted cheap thrill for the kids, Alfresco festival prides itself with the activities it has on offer for children, including children’s theatre, shows and stories, sports day events and games, family entertainers on silts, jugglers, fire eaters and puppet shows, and silent discos for the little kids to groove like the adults. Hop Farm are also allowing access to their amazing attractions, from their adventure playground area to the giant bouncing pillows, as well as access to the main site for a small fee.
Whether festivalgoers plan on going with friends to dance and drink the bank holiday weekend away with the brilliant array of DJ sets and musicians, or spend it with family among the entertainment areas, Alfresco festival offers a weekend full of fun for all to enjoy.
For more information on the festival and buying tickets, head to: www.alfrescofestival.co.uk
