What's new pussycat? Oh, all his songs ...
Famous for its family-friendly frivolity, the Latitude festival in Suffolk turned stomachs from the start. And I’m not referring to Tom Jones ‘Welshing’ it up at midnight in the woods. It was the distressing news that a teenage girl was gang raped in a portaloo on the first night. Obviously this caused panic and distress across the festival and within a few days rumours were rife that another three girls were attacked.
This was not the Latitude that I know and love.
Blessed with the knowledge that Tom Jones was repeating his Thursday night set at midday on Sunday, I rocked along on the Friday to my fourth Latitude.
Each year I begin the day discovering up and coming singers on the Sunrise stage. Listening to the dulcet tones of Lissie and sipping my first festival cider, the stage was evacuated from a fire hazard. I’m sure Sting’s daughter Coco was a bit peeved to be kept waiting half an hour, but as I’ve never seen her before it was hard to tell whether her moody persona was part of the act . She sure sounds like her dad though.
Nipping in the film tent on my way to the main stage; we were treated to a quick introduction to Four Lions by the great man himself, Chris Morris. As the film began he sensibly ran back to remove the mic stands that were receiving jeers for blocking the screen.
It's quite a nice spot for a festival really
Laura Marling was the first big name on the main stage, then Florence who clashed with the National. Running between the two, I managed to catch Florence embarrassing the bejeezus out of her sister by getting her up on stage, dressed as a cat, and singing happy birthday.
Although Florence is playing every festival known to man this summer, this was her first headline gig. Despite tuning problems and inelegantly falling over her drum, the flame-haired vixen is a must-see for any festival goer.
After the headliners the fairytale continues; whether you’re watching Sadler’s Wells perform Swan Lake or drifting into the woods for some hardcore DJ sets.
First on the Sunrise stage on Saturday was American falsetto singer Active Child. Similar in style to Jónsi, it was a stunningly ambient hangover cure.
Making my way to the main arena I stopped for School of Seven Bells. Reading the programme along the way, I discovered that the lead singer is a lucid dreamer, which means she is aware of her dreams and can manipulate them. Imagine that mixed with My Bloody Valentine and you’ll get the gist.
Tinged with sorrow from her husband’s death in 2008 and looking skeletal, Corinne Bailey Rae sang sweetly to the afternoon nappers.
Mancunian egomaniacs James got the crowd jumping by playing their old hits. Tim Booth had a classic hissy fit over the monitor levels during Sit Down, ending in a Flaming Lips style stage invasion from fancy dressed characters in the crowd. I wonder how long they stay together this time…
Alice Glass lays into a crowd member [credit: Derren Nugent / SafeConcerts
Headlining against Belle and Sebastian on the second stage, the XX admitted they were surprised they even had an audience. Hanging on to their friend Florence Welch’s coattails during the past twelve months, they’ve come a long way after playing to only 50 people at Latitude last year. Thank god they didn’t play their awful rendition of You Got the Love.
After a quick sprint, I managed to catch Belle and Sebastian’s pitch-perfect Boy with the Arab Strap. Another birthday message went out to Stuart Murdoch’s nephew, who thankfully was not humiliated on stage.
Tom Jones kicked started Sunday’s schedule with a secret set to a half-empty stage. He was typically cheeky but borderline creepy when banging on about his sexy young backing singers being sisters. He then waved to his son off-stage, saying they’re often mistaken for brothers because he was only 16 when conceived, then adding “that ’s Wales for you”. Singing only from his new album out next Monday, Tom received a mixed reception and replied “yeah later” on hearing “Sex Bomb” repeatedly yelled at him. Although I knew none of the songs, I was moved to tears by the sincerity in his deep rich vibrato. Johnny Cash fans eat your heart out.
Seeing The Temper Trap in an empty tent at Latitude two years ago, I have eagerly followed their journey of success. Bum-clenchingly high-pitched with jangly guitar solos, The Temper Trap delivered Sweet Disposition to perfection. Their new song was well received too.
An odd choice for headlining the second stage were indie rock band Grizzly Bear. Luckily for me the tent was vacant so I could nip to the front for a few songs before running back for Gabriela Y Rodriguez.
According to the programme the Mexican duo were discovered busking in Belfast by Damien Rice. Filling the main arena they captivated the crowd with their toe-curlingly quick guitar melodies and percussive frett board slapping. They whipped the crowd up into a toe-tapping frenzy, much like Mumford and Sons who were far too low down on the bill.
Vampire Weekend closed the festival with a fail-safe set that kept the punters happy before heading to bed or dancing ’til dawn.
Great write up
Lovely to read about a festival from someone who clearly knows, loves, and cares about it.
Nice review… pretty much sums up my weekend!