Latitude Festival Review 2008Latitude 2008 – Return to Paradise My 2nd year at Latitude Festival, so how could it compare to the brilliance of last years event? I had very high expectations and the festival certainly boasted more “must-see’s” than I could possibly imagine…much more so than last year so there were bound to be clashes! This was a good omen for a festival if ever there was one. Friday Bacon sarnies all round with tea started the day and with the Sunrise arenas bands starting at 11am it was an early entrance to the woods. First on were Godwits, a very nervous and startled performance by them of their rather ordinary indie rock, next up were Joy Formidable with their cute lead singer and My Bloody Valentine type shoegazy rock…I liked their style a lot!! Down to the Uncut arena next to see the Scissor Sisters/Gossip sounding Heloise and the Savoir Faire who were great fun and great to watch even though they were pretty camp!! Next were one of my “Most Wanted To See” (MWTS) groups Kyte and they were the first to perform on the Lake Stage at 1.15pm. They almost produced tears such was the general mellowness and ambient guitar noise emitting from them…Beautiful! Back to the Sunrise Arena for a glimpse of Slow Club who performed in front of a sizeable crowd but they sounded just a little too twee for my likings…nice enough I suppose. Back once again to the Uncut arena and catched a couple of songs from Micah P Hinson but he didn’t grab me really and I left a little cold. Next the mayhem that was Bearsuit from Norwich on the Lake Stage, dressed in colourful capes and with helium filled ballons spelling their band name behind them they were spectacular to watch especially as some of the crowd had erm bearsuits on! The Panda Bear was especially amusing. The band themselves were a loveable noisy mess and the crowd loved it regardless. Next up the much more mellower sounds of Beth Orton up on the main Obelisk stage, not sure if she was at her best but sounded soothing after Bearsuit!! Back into the Uncut arena and caught the whole set of Black Kids who are destined for great things – they played in front of a lively crowd and created a great party atmosphere. Well impressed! Next I missed Gideon Conn because Martha Wainwright was being interviewed by Anglia TV so marvelled at her for a good while while she played a few tunes for the viewers (I could hear nothing much!). After caught a little of Howling Bells who seem to be taking an age to write new material, but sounded great still. Next decided to head for the Obelisk stage again to catch some of The Go! Team, who didn’t sound too good but were enthusiastic enough. Next I got up close to the front for Death Cab For Cutie (another MWTS!), lots of teenies there already for Franz…anyway, another good show but would like to see them again in a smaller venue – Soul Meets Body especially stood out as a crowd favourite (as well as mine). Back down to the Lake Stage where met up once again with Simon and Claire after Errors had finished (I heard the last song from the “electronic Mogwai”!). We watched a good half an hour of Franz Ferdinand from the back – the sound was bad because of the wind and it started raining (+ I don’t care much for FF) so headed to the Poetry Tent and caught the vitriolic Byron Vincent. Then it was back to the campsite for tales of Logs, Sexy Yoghurt, Sausages, and all manner of off the tangent things + we saw the international space station fly over as a bright light (or was that another night?) and countless fire lanterns taking off into the moonlit sky. As the sun rose it was time for a little kip Friday Videos Death Cab For Cutie - Soul Meets Body http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YVBm8DYQGE Saturday After 3 hours sleep a bleary Nige emerged from his tent, but it’s a wonderful miracle what a sausage sandwich and cup of tea does to one. First stop today was the Sunrise arena again and what a tonic. First up was Nic Dawson Kelly with his Nick Drake-ish take on folk…very confident and talented. I was of course here for my next MWTS which was Wallis Bird who missed out last year because of technical difficulties. This was a super confident and happy bouncy set…she was really enjoying herself and the crowd responded. A stunning start to Saturday! Next a long walk to the Theatre arena which I missed out on last year and performing was the Bush Theatre and 50 Ways to Lose Your Lover - led by Ralf Little of Royale Family and 3 Pints of Lager fame – This was simply the funniest series of sketches I have seen in a long long time…absolutely hilarious! Over at the Lake Stage caught Wave Machines and their set – the band played a tight set and appeared with masks of their own faces. OK though! Next a change and made my way with Geof and Claire up to the Obelisk stage to see Team Waterpolo who sounded tuneful and had a good indie rock attitude…The sound was also spot on and these guys are going to be huge! Back down to the Uncut Arena and caught a couple of songs from Beth Rowley – another female singer-songwriter with a bright future. Next up checked out half a set each from Captain and Kate Goes but neither really impressed so went to the Caribbean food stall and got sommat hot and spicy! Again at the Lake Stage checked out Swanton Bombs … a young duo who played fairly standard indie rock…not bad but not fantastic. At last a band who were fantastic and another MWTS – The Kabeedies from Norwich who drew a huge crowd of mainly local fans and created a dynamite atmosphere. Their set was full of punk energy, so definitely want to see these again. Next after countless network busy/messages I met up with Marianne and we proceeded to get excited about Sigur Ros later on but first we busily chatted whilst watching Seasick Steve from near the back and what fantastic background music he is…He looked the part on his own on the massive obelisk stage accompanied by just a drummer I think – He was having fun blasting out his ZZ Top style blues. Saturday Videos Wallis Bird – Counting To Sleep http://www.youtube.com/v/fqU2Er3HdWg Ah now Sunday was going to be a very busy day with lots of MWTS’s and a potentially clashy day! It all worked out in the end. Started as always chilling at the Sunrise Arena with Alex, Claire and Simon, and heard a great set by the lovely and talented Tallulah Rendall, just the tonic for waking up gently. She says shes inspired by Patti Smith and is now in love with Jonsi from Sigur Ros !! On we trekked up to the Obelisk to see a midday set by Joanna Newsom…I wasn’t a fan before but her harp led music just washed all over me and as it was warm and sunny I drifted off a few times laying on the grass. She was so lovely and nervous that when she forgot her lyrics a few times she yelped out, but the crowd were already in love with her and all was forgiven. Just Serene and Beautiful! Back to the Uncut and watched a rather ordinary (in comparison to JN) Sam Isaac then back to the Obelisk for Scottish noise merchants (MWTS) The Twilight Sad – they played a good set though the sound was problematic, probably suited a smaller stage! Back to the Uncut and Swedish girl group Those Dancing Days were entertaining the crowd, bumped into Alex in here we both agreed that they sounded better on record! Stayed in here and Claire joined us for the wonderful folky rock indie of Noah and The Whale – great crowd and great set…You will get to hear upcoming single 5 Years Time a lot this summer, believe me that’s a great summery festival song. Back up to the Obelisk for MWTS Nada Surf (got the crowd going but some songs a bit luke warm). Back to the Uncut for the very strange Patrick Watson who sounded a cross between Captain Beefheart and any 70’s prog band…entertaining though! Now I was going to see The Breeders but I stayed instead for Glasvegas and what a wonderful wall of sound they make but I hope Geraldine is not their only great song?? Now I decided to go see Swedish talent Lykke Li at the Sunrise Arena and so glad I did because she was brilliant and palyed a much harder set then I could have imagined, she was very theatrical and expressive and I think the crowd were a little shellshocked at this but a definite highlight of the festival. After that made my way all the way back up to the Obelisk to see one of heroes Nick Cave giving it some with his dirty rock band Grinderman who were also stunningly good and exactly what Latitude needed at that point – Good Hard Rock! Cave was on super witty form and seemed to love it! Made my way back to the Uncut and Blondie was on – no way could anyone get in the tent it was rammed and outside there was a huge crowd – you could just make her out on stage and she looked fine from 200 yards!! Last but not least were the tender Tindersticks from Nottingham – a real cult favourite of mine…Stuart Staples baritone vocals found it hard to play over the racket of Interpol playing their set on the Obelisk but they did fantastically well in the circumstances. Back to the campsite for a final campfire and assorted stories (and off tangent chat!) Sunday Videos Tallulah Rendall – Hope Tonight (excerpt) http://www.youtube.com/v/IlEsBCdyoXg So in conclusion Latitude 2008 was even more entertaining as last years “unbeatable” festival….the crowds were bigger and more people stayed the whole weekend. 5 days later I am still near the ceiling and writing this will surely make me come off my high sooner or later!! The only gripe was traffic management and getting out took 2 and a quarter hours but my liftshare Ronan kept the wait bearable. Thanks to all the wonderful new and old friends at Billy Loads mates and the multitude of random folks I chatted too all over the site. Latitude suits me fine even if it’s middle class, but it has a damned friendly vibe and I’v already purchased a ticket for next year!!! Enjoy the photos below!! Nigey_Boy |
