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FARR FESTIVAL

Bygrave Woods, Newnham, Hertfordshire

Attracting 2000 heads last summer, this year’s Farr Festival on 19th — 21st July expects to coax more like 3000 party people this time around. However, apart from increasing numbers, not a great deal has altered since the beginning, the event’s co-producer Oscar Thornton explains to DJ Mag.

“There have been no massive changes over the years,” he says. “We’ve been really keen to let the festival grow organically. I think this is evident in the programming and the overall organisation of the event.”

Taking place just north of London in Newnham, Hertfordshire, on some private land owned by the family of Oscar’s partner Dom Farr, the events line-up is one that naturally appeals to switched-on heads travelling from London and its surrounding areas, who, as Oscar points out, come together as a like-minded family each year. This year, they’ll be “a nice bunch of friends, friends of friends and friends we haven’t met yet,” he says.

Selecting internationally established house names to headline the event – The Martinez Brothers, Jackmaster, Eats Everything – alongside rising UK talent (Ejeca, Ben Pearce, Daniel Avery) plus some hand-picked legends like Andrew Weatherall and Justin Robertson, Farr has an great interest in good quality house and techno, with generous helpings of bass to boot. It's something reinforced by the choice of promoters onboard to programme the five stages.

“This year we have some wicked parties on board!” Oscar says. “The Ransom Note and Society guys are coming back for a second year, and their tent is one not to miss! It was in their ‘shack’ last summer that JD Twitch closed the event with Bobby McFerrin ‘Don’t Worry Be Happy’, which was absolute magic!

We welcome back Leeds’ Flux who we adore. We’re bringing in London-based sell-out party starters, Troupe, Kiss FM’s Pardon My French and also two really small labels that you might not have heard of called Futureboogie and Numbers!” he jokes.

Last year might have seen an attempt at a campsite – “ha! If you can call it that!,” laughs Oscar – a situation not helped by the weather and crop rotation, but this year a boutique section will be added to a newly allocated area, and it'll be better equipped. The production? Well, that’ll be a surprise, but we’ve a sneaky suspicion Oscar’s dad will be caught at the front again for Bicep’s set, loving all the lady attention. “70 and still bopping!” says Oscar. He's a hero.” Improving each year, Farr is only reaching further.

For Tickets and more infomation check farrfestival.co.uk