Hudson Taylor: Dropkick-off hits its mark

Stars: ****

Harry and Alfie are all grown up. The former busking brothers nurtured a fanbase online for years and have had some decent slots recently like supporting the Rolling Stones at Hyde Park, Glastonbury, Longitude’s main stage and now, opening proceedings at the Picnic. There’s a sophistication in their folky set-up, with the timbre of their harmonies as much Simon and Garfunkel and The Turtles as they are Mumford.

Hudson Taylor sing about “fortune cookie wisdom”, and their lyrics frequently stray into such cliched areas, but the chicks up the front don’t care.

Cinematic Lifestyle falters, but Care gels, with a brilliantly familiar flow. Finally, Battles descends into a full on barn dance with Dropkick Murphy’s Shipping Up To Boston. Do you know what? They played a blinder.