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DiS preview: Latitude Festival
Set amidst the rolling countryside of northern Suffolk, the quiet grounds of Henham Park readies itself for a swarm of people visiting Latitude Festival, the newest and most intriguing festival of 2006. Playing host to a variety of arts, Latitude prides itself on being different, incorporating poetry and film into the festival experience as well as providing a quality musical line-up. What’s different about this festival though is the understated beauty of its grounds; Henham Park (owned by the 6th Earl of Stradbroke) is a 4000 acre site, with a lake and woods being used as a backdrop to the entertainment on the 14th-16th July.
Musically, the festival comes into its own. Forgetting the rather bland Friday headliners (Snow Patrol), Latitude boasts an incredibly varied line-up - including folk, dance, indie and world music. In the forest there are DJ’s spinning out tunes into the early hours, and you may even find yourself wandering over to the film and music tent – where two arts simultaneously combine for a spectacular experience.
Of course, DiS had to see what all the fuss is about, and thus have made a list of bands to check out while you’re there, because we can.
Drowned in Sound’s seven hot tips for the weekend:
Camille
Saturday, Arena 2
Avant-garde French singer Camille is currently making waves on the world music scene, with her powerful voice resounding against a small selection of carefully chosen instruments – a double bass and a keyboard. The brilliant artist also draws on her face during live performances, bringing a whole new meaning to the term 'art-rock'.
Findlay Brown
Saturday, Arena 3
Combining a mix of folk and country, UK based musician Findlay Brown is already getting attention from the likes of Radio 1, despite only 2 singles in his back catalogue. One to watch if you like quintessentially British folk music.
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Saturday, Arena 2
Rodrigo Y Gabriela are a duo hailing from Mexico, and if the sound of two musicians swapping old school metal riffs via acoustic guitars appeals to you, then they are a must at Latitude. Listing Metallica and Slayer as key-influences, this Mexican pair bring some extra diversity to the festival.
Saul Williams
Friday, Arena 2 and Poetry Tent
In some parts, Saul Williams is considered the most important hip hop artist of this generation, combining spoken word with rap and powerful lyrics. Also performing poetry at Latitude, Saul Williams lays claim to the best musician of the second arena on Friday night, and possibly the weekend.
Regina Spektor Sunday, Arena 2 Those unaware of Regina Spektor's anti-folk works are missing out, after 4 studio albums Regina's work has recieved notoriety from across the globe, picking up recognition wherever she roams. Headlining the second stage at Latitude, she may prove to be the highlight of the entire weekend.
Euros Childs
Sunday, Arena 4
Former Gorky's Zygotic Mynci mainman Euros Childs released his debut album Chops earlier this year to widespread praise. Someone I know said it sounded like a "stipped down Sufjan Stevens", which is probably the closest comparison yet.
Peeping Tom
Saturday, Arena 2
Mike Patton's new project Peeping Tom features a number of musical collaborations with established artists, all for the sake of Mike's take on modern pop music. You can read our review
here, and if you like the album then his performance is a must at Latitude.
Other fantastic artists worthy of checking out include:
Mercury Rev, British Sea Power, Part Chimp, Jose Gonzalez, Howling Bells, Peter Bjorn And John, Mystery Jets, Mogwai, Gomez, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Darren Hayman, Youthmovies, Captain, Antony And The Johnsons.
Don't forget to add it to your gig calendar!
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
You can find information about the festival here.
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who
from dis is going?
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woo
I cant wait! Only problem is that I just practiced putting my tent up and now can't get it back in the tiny bag...
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Go and see
Polytechnic! they, like, rule... man.
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Me!
I am going, it seems as though not many others are as i did put a post out about it.
But it is kinda near my 'hood', 'Yard'....dog kennel, so there are lots of us Norfolk/ Suffolk folk going a long!
Everyone should be there! Its the first one too and so it will be something to tell the grandkids!
love x x
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our camp shall have a lightning bolt flag,
follow the lightning bolt! i hear there will be skittle flavour vodka there...
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mike
do you know what time u are getting there? cos we should synchronize it for camping purposes. (this is mark by the way)
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im
going but not sure if thurs or fri. if anyone wants to arrange a meet then pm. cos i doubt who im going with will want to see some of the stuff i want to see.
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I
am
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well,
i'm leaving at 5.39 from yarmouth station - that's when hazel's train gets in. we're meeting rachel's car there too, so you could rendevouz there too if you want? unless you're going to be later than that?
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Hey
Tibor Fischer is doing a reading.
Go see him! His books are great! -
You seem to hav e forgotten
Patti Smith
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Lemonheads
Can't wait!
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and
cider.. much cider :)
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Shameless
LORDS at 4.30 SATURDAY, Arena 4.
Plug over. The only rock of Saturday, early for the cider drinkers. Enjoy.
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what about...
Richard Swift on Sunday. He's marvellous...record out on Secretly Canadian
and Part Chimp the noisiest band in the world -
TIMES ARE UP!
On their site
Woo I can see Gomez and Anthony and The Johnsons. And Mercury Rev then a bit of Regina then Mogwai. They have some weird staggered timing thing so the stages finish before the main one, which means I have to fucking miss most of Saul Williams (though he's doing the poetry tent and YMSS are playing so they might do their thing again) to see the Lemonheads, but other than that it seems a pretty good idea.
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Cheap tickets on ebay
wanksticks
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Setting off tommorow
and am shit at putting up tents. At least it's only about 22 degrees. I can't be arsed with heat.
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I have a pop up one
*laughs in your face*
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translation
please please please please buy tickets to our fake boutique festival
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What
makes it a 'fake' Boutique festival?
In fact what makes a Boutique festival while we are at it?
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Also
Beef Warehouse: me! DJing the Wood Stage on Thursday night. Expect the Tunng, Shellac, Bugsi Malone, Jethro Tull, and if I can sneak it in hehe System of a Down.
Vox N Roll: The currently defunct Who Shot Bambi? music quiz!!!
Robin Inces Sex-Off: Robin Ince the man that seems to spearhead every radio 4 comedy show is doing a Celebrity Sex-Off. Expect literary Smut read by band members (hehe members)
Not sure who is doing it: But someone is doing a live soundtrack to the Wicker Man.
ok my lift is late.
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