Hardwick Festival review: What we thought as thousands attend

Whilst music was always going to be the focal point of the festival, on Sunday morning, all eyes turned to the big screens around the site as World Cup fever took over the County Durham estate. Fans sporting their England shirts cheered on the Lionesses as they fearlessly went to battle with Spain in the FIFA Women's World Cup Final.

Meanwhile, on the main stage, it was the turn of Liam Fender to step into the spotlight. The artist recently made a guest appearance with brother Sam at his sold-out St James Park show. But those in attendance on Sunday afternoon got to see a full set from the man himself. As the old saying goes, talent doesn't fall far from the tree. And in Liam Fender, that sentiment rings true.

X-Factor winner and TV personality Megan Mckenna brought something different to the equation early afternoon. Bedecked in double denim, the Only Way is Essex star delivered a Nashville-tinged country set. The singer also put her stamp on covers of Everytime by Britney Spears and the unmistakable Sweet Caroline.

The Lottery Winners made a welcome return to Hardwick Festival. The band returned to the North East with a Number 1 album in tow. The band's lead singer Thomas Rylance entertained throughout with his witty banter and Freddie Mercury-like showmanship. The Lottery Winners were the perfect group to lift the spirit of the football fans in attendance. Following their performance, just like a song in their set, the crowd felt 'Much Better'.

Hot off the back of a recent US tour with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, Newcastle-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Andrew Cushin hit the stage mid-afternoon. The artist was making his third mainstage appearance at Hardwick Festival. Only this time, Cushin was sharing the bill with an artist he worked with on his single 'Where's My Family Gone', that being headliner Noel Gallagher. As ever, the rising star did not disappoint.

Indie legends The Cribs delivered an electrifying set that featured classics such as Hey Scenesters and Men’s Needs. The Wakefield outfit also shared a connection with the artist who followed them on the main stage, that being Johnny Marr. Of course, The Smiths guitarist had a tenure in The Cribs between 2008 and 2011.

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Johnny Marr’s main stage appearance was a festival set made in heaven. Rich in timeless anthems from the artist's career, songs such as Hang The DJ, This Charming Man, Big Mouth Strikes Again, How Soon Is Now, and There's a Light That Never Goes Out had the Hardwick Crowd singing at the tops of their lungs. The legend was the perfect precursor to fellow Mancunian headliner Noel Gallagher.

Following three days of live music, finally, the moment arrived that everyone had been waiting for. A soaring set from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds brought this year's Hardwick Festival to an explosive conclusion. And we aren't just talking about the firework finish. As one might expect, the stage was garnished with Man City paraphernalia. And, of course, Noel had a rapport with the North East crowd on the subject of football banter.

But football aside, Gallagher's top-of-the-bill performance was all about the music, with a healthy dose of Brit Pop nostalgia. Noel's set list was the perfect mix of tracks from the High Flying Birds’ extensive repertoire and peppered with Oasis classics. And despite Sunday’s football result, Don’t Look Back In Anger was a fitting conclusion to a spellbinding weekend of music in County Durham.

Check out pictures from the event below: