On the music front, Adam Ant & The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Possee were first up for me. The Word Arena was full with forty & fifty year-olds with a few teenagers scattered amongst the crowd, some with white stripes across their faces. Adam Ant rose to the occasion enjoying the admiration but appearing to be fully aware the whole thing was not to be taken too seriously. The set was chosen purposely for a festival crowd, playing the more commercial Adam & The Ants songs such as Ant Music, Dog Eat Dog, Kings Of The Wild Frontier, Stand & Deliver and Prince Charming plus solo hits Good Two Shoes and Viva La Rock. The set finished with a great rock version of (You’re So) Physical – which was nice!

This is what festivals are all about. Adam Ant gave a great performance merging pop music with cabaret. Looking around I could see others reliving their youth, merrily dancing and unashamedly singing along to every sing, though my 13 year old son did say Adam Ant looked like someone out of Psychoville!

The American indie pop duo, They Might Be Giants continued the retrospective fun on the main stage even though the pouring rain had them playing to a smaller crowd than I had anticipated. Their quirky lyrics and fun had people dancing in the rain with umbrellas and wellies as they played songs like ‘Birdhouse In Your Soul’.

I managed to catch a bit of Brighton’s indie rockers British Sea Power set in the Word Arena, the highlight being a rendition of their anthemic live favourite Waving Flags as a dedicated large group of teenagers held aloft and waved branches in the absence of flags. Great fun that brought a smile to my face and probably frowns on the faces of the ‘greener’ middle-aged festival-goers.

Dionne Bromfield is just 15 years old and has the pressure of being touted as the next Amy Winehouse, as well as being her God Daughter and signed to Amy’s own label. Fortunately, she has a great soul singing voice and as such has a great future ahead of her, as long as she can learn from others’ mistakes. Bromfield played on Saturday afternoon in the pouring rain to a packed marquee in the woods on the Sunrise Stage. Her set included a great cover version of Cee Lo Green’s ‘Forget You’, her hit single ‘Foolish Little Girl’ and songs from her forthcoming album, ‘Good For The Soul’.

From the teenage soulful voice of Dionne Bromfield to the New York angst of Cerebral Ballzy. Loud, fast, noisy and aggressive. Cerebral Ballzy play punk thrash songs about skateboarding, underage drinking, eating pizzas and being sick. The large moshpit of fans knowing what to expect directly in front of the Lake Stage, were joined by older on-lookers bedazzled by what they were seeing and hearing. The vocalist strutted about the stage with his jeans hanging just above his kness screaming undecipherable lyrics while the bass player played throbbing bass lines atop the speaker stack. The last song was dedicated to those in the moshpit. The singer called them to the front of the stage and asked them to turn around when the music started attack the rest of the audience in a call to arms: “Let’s thrash for the cause!” A great set and a real delight to see at Latitude.

Food, drink and a break from the music had my Saturday evening entertainment kicking off with Echo & The Bunnymen playing their first two albums in their entirety. ‘ Crocodiles‘ and ‘Heaven Up Here‘ were followed by a few hits singes including Killing Moon, The Cutter and Nothing Ever Lasts Forever. Ian McCulloch didn’t look much different, apart from a few extra chins, with his back-combed hair, dark glasses, coat and familiar stance wrapping his hands around the microphone and stand with a cigarette constantly burning from between his fingers.

The Word Arena was packed but unlike with Adam Ant, it was noticeable how many teenagers were not only enjoying the Bunnymen but were singing along to the songs. For them it was a chance to see one of the coolest bands of the post-punk / new wave era of the late 1970’s – early 1980’s but for others, including myself, it was another trip down memory lane to reminisce about what it was like seeing Echo & the Bunnymen almost 30 years ago!

The two headline acts for Saturday night at Latitude was Paolo Nutini on the Obelisk Stage and Foals in the Word Arena. Foals attracted a large audience which once again was too large for the marquee. They are difficult to categorise. Songs from the first album, ‘Antidotes‘, are generally funkier, driven by heavy-throbbing basslines and jagged guitars reminiscent of post-punk funk from the likes of Shriekback and A Certain Ratio; where the second album, ‘Total Life Forever‘, is a darker more intense sound which has been described as post-Prog Rock and Math Rock – whatever that is!

Foals played a great set worthy of the headline slot.

Once again, there were performances I wish I had seen but for one reason or another I missed Ed Sheeran, Seasick Steve, The Walkmen, Villagers, Trophy Wife and Dels.

The National @ Latitude Festival 2011

This was my third Latitude Festival and once again it was an amazing weekend full of friendly people, interesting art, hilarious comedy, poetry and literature, film and theatre, but most of all some great performances from music artists both old and new.

Latitude is somewhere between a big and small festival, depending what you are comparing it too.  But unlike other festivals it is more than just a music festival with comedy, poetry, literature, film and theatre tents and art scattered throughout the site.  It is also a very family friendly festival and the food is great.

Friday began with a trip to the Word Arena to listen to a wonderful set by Avi Buffalo who sing great American falsetto easy listening pop songs, perfect for a sunny festival afternoon.  The songs leave plenty of room for lead vocalist & guitarist Sheridan Riley to shine as Avi Buffalo delivered a well-received folk-rooted set from their 2010 self-titled debut album on the Sub-Pop label.

Another good thing with Latitude is how compact the whole site is, allowing for time to get from the Word Arena to the main Obelisk Stage to see the legendary Edwyn Collins in fine form as he began singing ‘Losing Control’ the title track from his 2010 critically-acclaimed album; the first written and recorded since his illness.  Edwyn played songs from his solo albums including ‘Shilly Shally’, ‘Losing Control’ and his biggest commercial hit ‘A Girl Like You’ but also found time for crowd pleasing Orange Juice songs ‘Rip It Up’, ‘What Presence’ and the first song he ever wrote, ‘Falling & Laughing’.

Edwyn showed his emotion as he introduced and sang a song with his son, William who along with his wife Grace, has helped him return to recording and performing over the past few years.

To complete a wonderful afternoon of music it was straight back to the Word Arena to see a promising new group from London called Chapel Club.  I was as surprised as the band to see such a large enthusiastic crowd waiting, full of anticipation. Fortunately for all concerned, they delivered a powerful set that will help to cement the critical acclaim they have began to receive.

With their dark and moody Joy Division-esque intensity they merge wailing guitars reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, and at times The Horrors. Chapel Club grew into their surroundings as they sprinkled a few new songs amongst crowd favourites from their 2011 debut album, Palace. A real highlight of the whole weekend was ‘being there’ watching Chapel Club as they performed a great rendition of ‘All The Eastern Girls’.

As with all good festivals, however well I plan my timetable I end up missing performances along the way. Not enough time and difficult decisions not to watch Linton Kwesi Johnson, Glasser, Deerhunter and Grouplove were unavoidable and made all the worse when a colleague told me how awesome Deerhunter had been.

But fortunately I did see Dan Snaith aka Caribou, and what a great performance it was.  Live, Caribou consists of Dan Snaith on keyboards, samples and various percussion instruments, with guitar, bass and drums giving his electronica knob-twiddling a more substantial live sound full of energy, beats and squelches.  Again I was surprised at the age and size of the crowd, most of whom were very familiar with his repertoire.

The Word Arena sound was amazing throughout the weekend and the throbbing bass certainly added to the excitement throughout the marquee, especially as Caribou’s set ended with an acid squelchy long version of ‘Sun’.  That was a moment I will never forget as my son & I pogoed with our hands in the air, dancing with big Cheshire cat grins.

There’s something magical about Latitude.  Where else would I walk across a bridge past brightly coloured sheep into the woods to watch a band play psychedelic pop?

Australia’s hotly tipped Cloud Control played a tight set of quirky psychedelic-fused pop songs with lush harmonies from their 2011 UK debut album ‘Bliss release’ at the Sunrise Arena deep in the woods to round off a perfect sunny summer festival afternoon.

Into the evening as Paloma Faith overlapped with The Vaccines.  No prizes as to where the kids were hanging!

The Vaccines rise has been phenomenal.  Only 12 months ago they formed a band and this summer they are playing to packed audiences who know every word to every song at festivals across Europe.  As they took to the stage the cheers were deafening.  Bright spotlights and a feedbacking guitar emanated from the stage. One look at each other and off we go…just like The Ramones!

The Vaccines blend 1950’s rock n roll, 1960’s garage and surf rock and 1970’s punk rock with C86 indie pop music to create something that is full of life and energy, if not at all original or unique.  Perfect three minute pop songs that strike a chord or three, The Vaccines drew a very large crowd and gave an energetic performance that was appreciated by people of all ages.

Last year, The National, who in my opinion are one of the best groups on the planet, headlined The Word Arena. Tonight, playing Latitude for a third time, they headlined the Obelisk Stage with a 90 minute set with songs taken from their previous five albums and EP’s.

In all honesty I was surprised when they were announced as headliners and wondered if the intensity and power of their music and live performance would be lost somewhat on the open-aired main stage. But alas my fears were unfounded as The National played a mesmerising, awesome set starting with a somewhat subdued ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ and ending with great version of a very early track, ‘Son’ with an intro that, ,after an earlier mention of Joy Division, had me thinking they were going to burst into a cover version of ‘Ceremony’.

The groups may have ended at 11pm but the music wasn’t about to stop.  Music blasted out across the site from various locations.  Among them were two renowned London club DJ collectives from Pump Up The Volume and Horsemeat Disco who shared the honours until 3am in the Comedy Arena while Annie Nightingale played a set from the past 10 years in the woods.

I’m assuming I had caught too much sun, as I can’t remember what time I eventually found my tent and drifted off to sleep for what seemed at least 10 minutes!

Latitude Festival photo: Paul Wesley Griggs

Latitude Festival is almost upon us and still more acts have been added to the best small UK festival.

The National, Paolo Nutini and Suede headline the Obelisk Stage while Bombay Bicycle Club, Foals and Eels headline The Word Arena.  But there’s plenty of old and new music across all the stages over the course of the three days.

For the middle-aged among us wishing to reminisce there are some real treats in OMD, The Waterboys, Edwyn Collins, They Might Be Giants, Adam Ant and Echo & The Bunnymen performing songs from their first two albums, Crocodiles & Heaven Up Here.

I am looking forward to seeing the electronica genius of Gold Panda and Caribou, the indie rock of Glasvegas, Foals and the indie pop of  The Vaccines; not to forget the extremely talented young singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran.  I have also recently been introduced to the dark and brooding sounds of the upcoming and highly rated Chapel Club.

I am also really looking forward to witnessing a live performance from the wonderfully titled Cerebral Ballsy.

Below, I have selected a few lesser known artists that have caught my ear recently and so will hopefully get a chance to see whilst swigging on a cider and basking in the glorious English sun.

Still Corners

Glasser

Fixers

Avi Buffalo

Latiude Festival is on from Thursday 14th  to Sunday 17th July in the sumptuous surrounds of the Suffolk countryside.

Since its inception in 2006, Latitude has changed the face of festivals forever, with a passion only matched by its ambition. Encompassing all aspects of the art and music worlds Latitude is the only place that brings together the best in music, literature, comedy, poetry, film, theatre, cabaret, art, dance, opera and fashion for one spectacular weekend. With an unrivalled line-up taking shape, Latitude 2011 will be another exhilarating, scintillating and inspirational festival of fun.

Latitude Festival 2011 Ticket Information

Tickets are currently still available

Weekend tickets £170.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £70.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Child ticket (5-12 years) £5.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Campervan Permit £30.00
Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping
Day tickets include car parking only

Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821

For more information visit the Latitude Festival website.

The video is an edited version of a 30 minute short film wiritten and directed by Adam Yauch called ‘Fight For Your Right Revisited’.  The film includes cameo appearances from a wealth of Hollywood stars including Susan Sarandon, Steve Buscemi, Kirsten Dunst, Mary Steenburgen, Chloe Sevigny, Ann Archer and the band themselves.

The film pays homage to The Beastie Boys first hit single, ‘(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)‘

The film includes a brilliant dance off between the ‘real’ Beastie Boys from the present and the ‘real’ Beastie Boys of the future in a very amusing ‘dance off’ with some hilarious results.

The Beastie Boys’ Fight For Your Right Revisited film will be screened in the Film & Music Arena at Latitude Festival 2011.

Latitude Festival

On 14th – 17th July in the sumptuous surrounds of the Suffolk countryside, the welcoming daisy-adorned gates will open for the 6th edition of the magical and fantastical Latitude Festival.

Since its inception in 2006, Latitude has changed the face of festivals forever, with a passion only matched by its ambition. Encompassing all aspects of the art and music worlds Latitude is the only place that brings together the best in music, literature, comedy, poetry, film, theatre, cabaret, art, dance, opera and fashion for one spectacular weekend. With an unrivalled line-up taking shape, Latitude 2011 will be another exhilarating, scintillating and inspirational festival of fun.

With more acts still to be announced here are just a few of the music artists appearing at Latitude Festival 2011, so far…

THE NATIONAL, PALOMA FAITH, BRIGHT EYES, KT TUNSTALL, ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN, PAOLO NUTINI, MY MORNING JACKET, THE CRIBS, SEASICK STEVE, RUMER, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS, SUEDE, HURTS, GLASVEGAS, THE WATERBOYS, BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB, THE VACCINES, LYLE LOVETT & HIS ACOUSTIC GROUP, CARIBOU, FOALS, ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, I AM KLOOT, BELLOWHEAD, BRITISH SEA POWER, EELS, LYKKE LI, OMD, EVERYTHING EVERYTHING & CARL BARAT.

For a full line-up visit the Latitude Festival website.

As well as the four main music stages (Obelisk Arena, The Word Arena, Sunrise Arena & The Lake Arena Stage) there is plenty of other things to see and do.

The Waterfront Stage

Floating on the surface of Latitude’s central lake is the stunning Waterfront Stage. A beautiful platform on which audiences can enjoy visual displays of delightful dance, one-off musical performances and incredible work by some of the countries most highly regarded choreographers, with Latitude’s luscious landscape providing the perfect backdrop.

Film & Music Arena

One of the most diverse and cutting edge elements to Latitude’s repertoire, the Film & Music Arena offers audiences mesmerising displays, performances and viewings of fantastic cinema and music. Sonically and visually rich, the worlds of alternative film and music collide with a full programme of award winning screenings, documentaries, shorts, Q&A discussions and musical treats.

Literary Arena

Latitude celebrates the written word in all its glorious facets with its very own renowned library of literary excellence. Bringing together today’s most illustrious wordsmiths; the Literary Arena is a hub of storytelling, book discussions, lively debates and in-depth interviews. Top authors and special guests bring books to life and take audiences on fun-filled journeys to the far reaches of their imaginations.

If impassioned and healthy discord gets your juices flowing then find a spot in the Literary Arena for the renowned and revered Instigate Debate. A rock ‘n’ roll version of Question Time, Instigate Debate brings the hottest topics of the nation to the fore and allows you, the audience, to participate, pressurise, pontificate, ponder and pose questions to a specially selected panel. This year the subject title is ‘The State Of The Nation: Cuts, Wars and Weddings’. From Fortnum and Masons and Pippa Middleton’s dress to sleeping with the enemy in Westminster and savage cuts; to crisis in Libya and the Arab Spring, ID present the ultimate in high-brow Punch and Judy. In what will be an incendiary and lively exchange of ideas, opinions, and thoughts the panel is: Rt Hon David Davis MP (Conservative Party), Danni (UK Uncut spokesperson), Liz Jones (The Daily Mail), Jon Cruddas MP (Labour Party, and anti-BNP campaigner), Peter Tatchell (Human Rights campaigner), Gail Porter (The Wright Stuff, broadcaster and former model) and Don Foster MP (Liberal Democrats spokesman for Culture, Media and Sport)

Comedy Arena

Over the past five years, Latitude’s Comedy Arena has become a comedy festival in its own right. Bursting at the seams with the best comic talent in the land, crowds gather all weekend to witness a variety of hilarious turns from an unrivalled bill. With Alan Carr, Omid Djalili, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Jason Byrne to name just a few confirmed already – it is another stellar line-up of the very best comics on the circuit.

DJ’s

As the sun goes down and the moon lights the night sky, the Comedy Arena transforms into the best club around. Featuring amazing DJs playing top tunes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night – the party never stops at Latitude Festival.

In what will prove to be an impressive collision of two dance super powers, Latitude Festival will be bringing you Horse Meat Disco Vs Pump Up The Volume:

The institution that is Horse Meat Disco is dedicated to and appreciates all forms of Disco music. Horse Meat’s appearances at boutique festivals and clubs has been turning swathes of unexpecting clubbers into string-laden disco stompers and is at the forefront of the so-called disco revival. The club’s ethos has always been to provide a space for everyone, after all the best parties have always been the ones where the crowd comes from all walks of life. Attendance at any Horse Meat event has become a badge of honour with which to be worn with pride so make sure you take to the floor to claim your Latitude one!

Stiffen up that buzz cut, polish your high-tops and get your Global Hypercolour on: One of London’s best parties, Pump Up The Volume, will take you on a journey all things ’90s. Guaranteed to be an excellent way to get your Festival started, the PUTV crew move from their always-rammed base at Dalston’s Visions to Latitude for an old skool soundclash with Horsemeat Disco, transporting you back to the 1990s Rave in the process with an old school hip-hop, house and pop shakedown.

The ultimate feel good pop party extravaganza Guilty Pleasures shall be gracing Latitude festival 2011. After a busy day of basking in the sun on Latitude green and luscious grounds, what better way to shake off those inhibitions than dancing the hours away to the music you’ve never been so proud to admit you love. Golden oldies, forgotten classics, power ballads and pure pop gold are all lovingly compiled for your pleasure. Dancers in animal outfits, cheerleaders, mascots and camp dance troupes all await you in what promises to be one of the highlights of your festival diary.

Latitude welcomes Blow Up, one of Britain’s longest running club nights, to close Sunday night in the Comedy Arena. Cited as the birthplace of the Britpop scene and influencing the style and sound of a generation, Blow Up’s playlist though is far from being defined by the genre it helped kick-start back in 1993. Expect to hear British Pop, Glam and New-Wave colliding with 60s Soundtracks & Electronica, Library Music, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Indie-Pop, 60’s Soul, Beat, Garage, Funk, Ska & more. Blow Up founder Paul Tunkin has DJed for Blur (Modern Life Is Rubbish/Parklife), Pulp and Suede whilst taking the Blow Up club on tour in the UK, Europe, USA, Russia and Japan. Paul will be joined on the decks by Blow Up’s co-resident DJ Mr. Ian Jackson.

Poetry Arena

A fantasyland of innocent pleasures and unbridled fun lies deep within the festival’s magical woods. A quirky corner of the Latitude site where anything goes. Side shows, games, interactive art, dance troupes, workshops and cutting-edge theatre will keep you entertained all weekend long. Release your inner child and come play around in Pandora’s Playground.

Faraway Forest

Latitude’s fairytale Faraway Forest is a secret haven of dark desires, mysterious mayhem and salacious sin-filled pleasure. This clearing under the woodland canopy will host the decadent Winter’s Ball full of all of the delights of Christmas, hands on workshops and mesmerising theatre and musical performances. Come along and lose yourself in the depths of The Faraway Forest.

Cabaret Arena

A veritable feast of vaudeville fun and mischief, Latitude’s Cabaret Arena is a carnival of top comedy and theatre. With a heady mix of sketch shows, freak, burlesque and drag acts alongside puppetry, illusionists and hearty sing-alongs, the Cabaret Arena encourages you to ditch your woes at the door and be seduced by the frivolities inside for a not-so-innocent ol’fashioned knees up.

Pandora’s Playground

A fantasyland of innocent pleasures and unbridled fun lies deep within the festival’s magical woods. A quirky corner of the Latitude site, here, anything goes. Side shows, games, interactive art, dance troupes, workshops and cutting edge theatre will keep you entertained all weekend long. Release your inner child and come play around at Latitude’s Pandora’s Playground.

Literary Salon

A hub of life-enhancing interactive workshops, discussions, wide-ranging debates and mind expanding sessions, the Literary Salon is the noisy little sister of the Literary Arena that encourages you to get involved. Discover and learn new skills, air opinions and explore your innermost feelings in this progressive school of thought.

Latitude Festival 2011 Ticket Information

Tickets are currently still available

Weekend tickets £170.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Day tickets Fri, Sat, Sun £70.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Child ticket (5-12 years) £5.00 including VAT, subject to booking fee
Campervan Permit £30.00
Weekend tickets prices include car parking and camping
Day tickets include car parking only

Credit Card line: 0871 231 0821

For more information visit the Latitude Festival website.

The National, Paolo Nutini & Suede Headline Latitude Festival 2011

The headiners and first wave of artists playing this year’s Latitude Festival have been released.  The National & Paolo Nutini make triumphant returns and are joined by Brit Pop’s finest, Suede.

The open space of Latitude’s main stage, the Obelisk Arena is a beautiful natural amphitheatre that has housed truly momentous performances over the past five years. Last year the powerful vocals of Tom Jones and Florence + the Machine blew the crowds away, whilst Belle and Sebastian’s return from hiatus and Vampire Weekend’s pop extravaganza were met with a rapturous response.

This year the three headliners will offer three entirely different experiences.  Last year The National gave an amazingly absorbing performance when they headlined the World Stage tent.  Slowly growing upon the success of third album ‘Alligator‘, off the back of fierce schizophrenic single ‘Abel‘; selling out the Royal Albert Hall in support of their masterpiece fourth album ‘Boxer‘ before, last year saw The National receive commercial success with one of the best album’s of 2010, ‘High Violet’.

The National return to Latitude to headline the Obelisk Arena on Friday night. With Matt Berninger’s distinctive baritone shaking the bones alongside the maelstrom of sonics the band create, The National enthral and entrance audiences all around the world so expect something
truly special from these next big things.

Paolo Nutini first mesmerised crowds when he opened up the inaugural Latitude Festival in 2006. Since then he has enjoyed worldwide acclaim and success, having just completed a huge world tour in support of UK Number 1 second album ‘Sunny Side Up‘. The Scottish youngster with his distinguished sound of street soul folk won the Best International Album Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards, thrashing competition from Kasabian, Lady GaGa, Mumford & Sons and last year’s Latitude headliner, Florence & the Machine.

Suede were given the title of starting the Brit Pop resurgence that launched the careers of so many other British pop bands in the early 1990s.  Throughout the “best new band in Britain” hype, the controversies, the loss of band members and the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, Suede produced some of the 1990’s best indie anthems. From that first fuzzy clang and falsetto chorus of ‘The Drowners’ to the Bernard Butler-less top five single ‘Electricity’, Brett Anderson’s scimitar howl ensures every snatch of glam-spattered rock is compelling and indelibly catchy. This will be their first ever festival headline slot and with it, they have the privilege of closing Latitude Festival 2011 on Sunday night.

Other music artists announced to play Latitude 2011 include:
Edwyn Collins, British Sea Power, Caribou, Paloma Faith, Everything Everything, The Bees, Fight Like Apes, Hurts, I Am Kloot, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Kele, KT Tunstall, The Leisure Society, Lloyd Cole,  OMD, The Vaccines, Villagers, and The Waterboys.

Founder and Creator of Latitude Festival and Managing Director of Festival Republic ~ Melvin Benn says:

“I am extremely proud of what has been achieved over the past five glorious years of Latitude. We’ve been listening to our loyal fans and this year, for our sixth edition, we are making some changes to the site which will further enhance everyone’s enjoyment of their favourite festival weekend. Latitude truly is ‘more than just a music festival’ and this year’s programme across the full spectrum of arts and music is utterly exceptional. We look forward to welcoming you to explore, discover and enjoy all that it has to offer.”

Latitude Festival takes place on Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th July 2011 at Henham Park Estate, Southwold, Suffolk.

For more information visit the Latitude Festival Website.

Latitude Festival 2011

This year’s Latitude Festival 2011 will take place on Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th July in the sumptuous surrounds of the Suffolk countryside. The welcoming daisy-adorned gates will open for the 6th edition of the magical and fantastical Latitude Festival.

Since its inception in 2006, Latitude has changed the face of festivals forever, with a passion only matched by its ambition. Encompassing all aspects of the art and music worlds Latitude is the only place that brings together the best in music, literature, comedy, poetry, film, theatre, cabaret, art, dance, opera and fashion for one spectacular weekend. Latitude will continue to inspire and innovate, enlighten and engage with another incredible event promised for 2011.

Last year’s event sold out in record time which is not surprising considering the stellar line-up that was on offer. Violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy greeted the arriving crowds with an astonishing set on The Lake Stage and then, at the stroke of midnight, the festival reverberated with the power vocals of legendary lothario Tom Jones who gave an impassioned and intimate performance of his new album ‘Praise & Blame’ In The Woods, ahead of his Sunday afternoon Obelisk Arena set.

Latitude Festival

This set the standard of what became a truly amazing weekend for music that included Florence + the Machine performing her first festival headline show; Belle and Sebastian ending their hiatus to headline the Obelisk Arena on Saturday night and The xx dazzling The Word Arena ahead of winning the ‘Mercury Music’ Prize later in the year.

The Film & Music Arena – always a hotspot for showcasing visually and sonically cutting edge work – boasted a viewing of Chris Morris’ film ‘Four Lions’ followed by a Q&A from the master of satire himself; a spell-binding live rendition of ‘The Passion of Joan Of Arc’ with score by Adrian Utley from Portishead and Will Gregory from Goldfrapp; and the conceptual music/theatre piece ‘MICroscope’ from the multi-dimensional Riz MC. Latitude’s tranquil Waterfront Stage floating on the lake was the setting for many a stunning spectacle including a beautiful rendition of Matthew Bourne’s ‘Swan Lake Act II’ presented by Sadler’s Wells; an excerpt from the hit musical ‘HAIR’; Daniel Kitson and Gavin Osborn’s ‘Stories For A Starlit Sky’ and a graduate fashion show from Central St. Martins and Chelsea College of Art and Design students.

As ever, the Comedy Arena hosted some of the biggest names on the circuit including a rare appearance from falsetto fantasist Emo Philips – a massive coup for the festival, ‘Edinburgh Comedy’ Award winner Russell Kane and multi award-winning Irish Superstar Comic Tommy Tiernan. And all of that is not to mention the army of wordsmiths that filled the Literary and Poetry Arenas all weekend including the likes of Bret Easton Ellis and Sebastian Faulks reading from their hugely popular novels.

Forever evolving, Latitude also unveiled its dark and decadent side with the introduction of The Faraway Forest. Off the beaten path, it was a sinful and salacious den of mischief where people let go of their inhibitions and enjoyed captivating performances from the Royal Opera House, a Bacchanalian Masked Ball hosted by House of blueeyes and the dark and delicious ‘Vaudevillains’ from award-winning theatre company Les Enfants Terribles. On top of these treats were all manner of other intriguing displays, stunning décor, workshops and unique shows.

And for the first time, Latitude brought contemporary art to the centre of the festival championing burgeoning artists with the ‘Latitude Contemporary Art’ Award. Using the beautiful woods as a natural gallery the work by the finalists was showcased all weekend with the winner, Graeme Miller’s visually stunning ‘Moth Theatre’ announced ceremoniously on the Saturday.

Once again, Latitude was rib-tickling, mind-expanding, visually-stunning, musically-inspiring, life-enhancing and ultimately the most fun ever. A place like no other it is a cultural haven for hedonists and families alike and continues to grow in popularity year on year.

So wipe the winter cobwebs away and start dreaming of sunnier climes by booking yourself a place at one of the UK’s top summer destinations.

Latitude Festival 2011 Tickets

Latitude Festival 2011 Tickets launch on Monday 14th March 2011 at 7pm.  For more information visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk.

Florence & The Machine @ Latitude Festival 2010 photo: ryanmasonimaging.com

The Latitude Festival is much more than a music festival with a broad range of arenas, stages and tents offering theatre, poetry, film, dance, literature and music.  But for this review I will concentrate on my Latitude Festival 2010 music highlights.

As with previous years, many festival goers and keen campers began to arrive on the Thursday, but more so this year, possibly caused by the late additions of Nigel Kennedy and Tom Jones opening the Latitude Festival with Thursday performances.  Unable to attend I can only go on what I heard.  The festival was noticeably busy and Nigel Kennedy’s set on the Lake Stage was well received whereas many were disappointed as they couldn’t get near the small Sunrise Stage, set in the middle of the woods for Tom Jones’ midnight performance; and furthermore were bemused when the set introduced songs from his new album and did not include any of his classic hits.

With seventeen stages, tents, arenas and other impromptu performances over four days it was always going to be difficult to timetable seeing everything we wanted to, even for two reviewers; and some attractions were so popular, such as the Inbetweeners press conference and screening of Four Lions followed by a Q&A with writer, director and comic genius Chris Morris that we couldn’t even get into the Film & Music Arena to review!

Of the music stages I mainly frequented just three: the Obelisk or Main Arena, the Word Arena and deep in the woods, the Sunrise Arena.

The Obelisk Stage is big and open and on Friday night was headlined by Florence & the Machine.  It was their first major festival headliner and Florence’s performance, voice and stage presence was very warmly received.  At the same time The National headlined the Word Arena.  Set under canvas, in a more confined space the music was darker, deeper and altogether more compelling.  The audience was clearly divided between pop mistress and the broody baritone vocals of Matt Berninger and the post-gothic but surprisingly upbeat sound of The National.  For me, The National won the day with a great set including songs from their new album, High Violet.

One of the highlights of the whole festival was witnessing The National perform of their current single, Bloodbuzz Ohio.  More than merely watching or listening, this was all about ‘being there’. The sound, performance and atmosphere were perfect.

Before Florence & the Machine, Empire of the Sun gave a larger than life performance on the main stage complete with dance routines and various costume changes. While the Sunrise Arena hosted a lively performance from the wonderful Tokyo Police Club who were well received by a large crowd, many of which were familiar with songs from their 2008 debut Elephant Shell and the new album, Champ. They finished the set with a seismic version of Your English Is Good.  At times Tokyo Police Club remind me of Luna, The Pixies and The Strokes.  And yes, they are that good!

On Saturday the main stage played host to the return of Belle & Sebastian, though The Word Arena won the battle of the stages with performances from Noah & The Whale, The Horrors and The XX.  I was looking forward to seeing The Horrors after missing a low key show in June.  But I have to say the sound let them down; an engineer who had too much bass vibration and not enough vocal or noisy guitar in the mix.  That said The Horrors still put in a good performance.

The problem with the full-on bass was accentuated with The XX.  One of my sons decided not to stay for The XX.  He explained afterwards that he had left early because the bass was so loud it was stopping him from breathing!

The Word Arena was too small for The XX and the crowd was heaving and not helped by a constant stream of drunken teenagers constantly pushing through and treading on my toes.  As far as I saw, The XX played to the largest crowd in the Word Arena, while the biggest crowd for the main stage goes to Mumford & Sons for their massive performance on Sunday afternoon.

The Gentleman’s Dub Club played a late midnight set on the Sunrise Stage in the woods with a great energetic dub reggae set with some good time ska pick-me-ups.  It drew a large crowd of all ages. Teenagers’ pogoing to the up-tempo ska beats while middle-aged men reminded themselves of the skinhead moonstomp, from back in the day.  A great performance, coupled with a perfect sound.  Pockets of strange smelling cigarettes kept people smiling and dancing well into the wee small hours.  Loving dub reggae as I do, Gentleman’s Dub Club was a real highlight for me and a band I must go and see again, soon.

By Sunday I was becoming weary and needed something light and easy listening.  For that, Midlake performing their 1970s flavoured laid back country rock was a perfect anecdote; and was a pleasant surprise as this was an introduction to their music.  But before them were Mumford & Sons followed by Dirty Projectors.

I can only assume Mumford & Sons were booked to play Sunday afternoon way before their success blossomed.  I knew they would attract a crowd but the main arena was solid. They played songs from their Sigh No More album and the crowd jigged and sang along.  Their contemporary brand of English folk music was appreciated as much as the cider and was loved by pretty much everyone present.

Always looking like drawing the short straw, The Big Pink played the Word Arena while all but a handful of people crammed in to watch Mumford & Sons.  They were plagued by sound and technical problems and though they were making an impressive noise, the songs appeared lifeless and empty of quality.  Something was missing, and it wasn’t just an audience!

Following the folk and cider sing-a-long of the Mumford & Sons set was never going to be easy, but could not have been more of a polar opposite than the challenging anti-pop music of Dirty Projectors.  I have to be honest the album didn’t do much for me at all on first listen and so was not given a second; and I was only here as I was at a loose end and a friend was keen to see if they could pull it off live.  And they did.  The crowd may have dwindled to about a third of Mumford & Sons but that was to be expected.  They gave a stunning performance, considering.

Dirty Projectors are an experimental rock band from based in New York and led by Dave Longstreth. The music is best described as Captain Beefheart in its complexity and multi-faceted cacophony of simultaneous rhythms.  While the guitarist and main singer Dave Longstreth showed nervous twitching mannerisms of Tom Verlaine and the deranged stares of a young David Byrne, vocals also come from the three female voices of Amber Coffman (vocals, guitar), Angel Deradoorian (vocals, keyboard, samples, guitar, bass) and Haley Dekle (vocals).  The Dirty Projectors line-up is completed by bass and drums. Looking back on the weekend this performance, along with Midlake was two of the best for me as I had no expectations.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart didn’t disappoint.  I love this band.  Four young kids from New York who admit to have listened to jangly 1980’s British indie pop until they were able to perfect the sound of the debut My Bloody Valentine album.  Their set at the Sunrise Arena was another lesson in perfect pop. Three minute bubblegum pop led by thrashing buzzsaw guitars, manic drumming and sugar-coated twee vocals with boy- girl harmonies.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart mixed a couple of new tracks in with songs from their much-acclaimed self-titled debut album which appeared in many end of year ‘best albums of 2009’ lists.

They were my music highlights from the fifth Latitude Festival. I don’t have much to say about the other main stage headline acts Belle & Sebastian or Vampire Weekend.  I’ll leave that for someone else.

On reflection the festival was as good as ever if not at times too busy and soured by the constant stream of pissed teenagers that appear to have come with mummy and daddy, only to be left to wander round the music stages treading on toes and pushing through attentive crowds while their parents were probably in the literary or poetry tents sipping wine.  It was also shocking to hear while driving away from the festival that the police were investigating two charges of rape on 17 and 19 year old girls, felt not to be connected.

Each year Latitude is a success it becomes more popular.  But personally I believe the festival organisers, Festival Republic, should consider what will be lost if the best small festival in the UK outgrows that category.

Latitude Festival - The Horrors, The National, The XX, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Mumford & Sons, Frank Turner, Temper Trap & more

Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th Edition on 15-18th July 2010 set in the beautiful countryside of Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast.

Latitude is dedicated to giving you only the best and most eclectic ensemble of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret for three spectacular days and as ever, this focus has delivered a line-up like no one else.

As with all good festivals Latitude has a great and diverse range of music across several stages.  What I like best about Latitude is that it isn’t too large, like Glastonbury, but big enough to attract a great line-up.

So if you’re lucky enough to have tickets you might be thinking of which performances you want to see over the weekend.

The three headline acts on the main Obelisk Arena will be Florence & the Machine, Belle & Sebastian and Vampire Weekend.  None of those really take my fancy.  But when I look at other acts performing on the main stage there are a few I’m already looking forward to, including Mumford & Sons, Frank Turner, Temper Trap and the wonderful Rodrigo y Gabriela.

Furthermore, there is plenty of music on the other music stages.  Highlights for me are The Horrors, The National, The XX, The Big Pink, Wild Beasts and Grizzly Bear all appearing at The Word Arena.  On the Sunshine Arena I hope to see the wonderful Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Girls, Tokyo Police Club and a late night performance by the Gentleman’s Dub Club; while Beth Jeans Houghton will be performing on The Lake Stage.

In all there is no fewer than 17 stages offering music, dance, film, art, poetry, theatre and comedy.

Spread throughout the site, just waiting to be discovered, expect the highest calibre of art.  Building on its reputation as one of the most respected and highly anticipated events of the season, 2010 promises to be an inspirational and entertaining, sophisticated and scintillating weekend; another spectacular slice of unadulterated cultural fun and adventure.

Celebrating its fifth year, Latitude continues to lead the way as a bold and pioneering festival cherry-picking the very best from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret and bringing them together for one glorious weekend. It is a place like no other; an intimate world away from reality that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be whilst indulging in the spirit of exploration and discovery.

Latitude Festival is on Thursday 15- Sunday 18th July 2010.  Tickets are sold out.

Latitude Festival 2010

This year the Latitude Festival will include a one-off special performance on Thursday night at midnight deep in the woods by none other than the legendary Tom Jones.

The late addition to this year’s line-up will see Tom Jones performing songs from his forthcoming album ‘Praise & Blame‘.

This landmark album comes in the singer’s 70th year, a glowing achievement in what has been a ground-breaking, unpredictable roller-coaster of a 45-year career.  The songs from ‘Praise & Blame’ (released 26th July on Island Records), are from a repertoire that includes American traditional, gospel and country, seeing Tom going back to his roots and creating a truly evocative musical work, aided and abetted by producer/musician Ethan Johns.

Tom Jones says of ‘Praise & Blame’: “It’s food for thought, it’s real, it’s natural, and in that sense it’s truly me.”

This performance by Tom Jones will quite possibly be blowing the leaves off the trees when he takes to the secluded and magical stage In The Woods at midnight.

Warming up for Tom Jones are Les Clochards who began in 2005 when accordionist Karen Cleave and singer Ian Nixon decided that the chanson tradition is a deeper, wider seam than many had realised, linking Jacques Brel to Southern Soul via Gene Vincent. Fellow travellers and drinking partners Peter Momtchiloff, Gary Neville and Dean Ryan joined along the route, as French standards gave way to imperfectly beautiful original compositions. Their first LP ‘Sweet Tableaux’ was released on Big Red Sky Records in July 2009, following two well-received singles, and has attracted excellent reviews. That’s because it’s really, really good.

Other additions to this year’s Latitude Festival line-up also include David Ford, The Lost Levels, I Blame Coco, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Boycott Monday, Clare Maguire, Spectrals, The Quails and Aaron Wright.

Comedians  Stephen K Amos, Kevin Eldon and Dominic Holland join the vast array of talent to appear in the Comedy Tent, while DJs John Rostron, DJ Felson and Jen Long also join the weekend festival.

Other musical highlights over the weekend include Obelisk Arena headliners Florence + the Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend as well as The National, The xx, Empire Of The Sun, Laura Marling, Frank Turner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Spoon, Crystal Castles and Mumford & Sons amongst so many other.

Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy the comedy stylings of Emo Philips, Phill Jupitus & Friends Improv Show, Richard Herring; literary musings from the ever-popular Robin Ince’s Book Club with Kevin Eldon, Jo Neary, Robyn Hitchcock, Josie Long & Gavin Osborn; leftfield poetry from Eddie Argos; and dramatic performances courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse in association with Paines Plough.

Latitude Festival returns to the beautiful countryside of Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast on Thursday 15th – 18th July 2010.

Latitude Festival tickets have already sold out.