12.01.2010

11.01.2010

Set against a backdrop of grotty Travelodges and open mic London as Luke Wright tackles ego, ambition and humility in a fast-paced and hilarious hour. Featuring some nipple-tweekingly awful teenage lyrics; sarcastic cricket commentators and the death of a very tight pair of jeans. Luke effortlessly mixes comedy and poetry as he tries to look past his own inflated ego and find out what really matters.

As a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live and the writer of Channel 4's critically acclaimed Seven Ages of Love Luke Wright is fast becoming one of the nation's best loved poets, taking his darkly comic verse places other poetry doesn't dare go.

Now, after sold out shows and five star reviews at The Edinburgh Fringe Luke brings his fourth stage show to London for a three week residency at The Old Red Lion.

“Luke Wright shapes verse from the leading edge of the rejuvenated spoken-word scene. Comic, acute, rhythmic eulogies to modern life” The Independent
"The best young performance poet around." The Observer
"Performance poetry's key revivalist." Metro

12th - 30th January 2010 (not 17, 18, 24, 25)
The Old Red Lion, 418 St John Street, London
Tickets £10 for all performances - available from Ticketweb (http://bit.ly/oldredlion) or from the ORL Box Office (020 7837 7816).

Special Offer: Save £4 by booking to see my show and the excellent Three Stigmata of Pacman by Ross Sutherland on the same night for only £16.

05.01.2010

24.09.2009

Britten Sinfonia joined headliners Pet Shop Boys, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Grace Jones at our outdoor music and arts event. Featuring soloists from the orchestra, Britten Sinfonia was the first orchestra ever to perform a classical concert at Latitude.

Playing a range of music, from Bach to Argentinian tango-master Piazzolla, the orchestra performed on The Waterfront Stage during this year’s festival.

30.11.2009

We're having a sale - up to 50% off. Remember the good times with a Latitude tshirt, a hoodie, a programme or a tote bag! 

Perfect gifts for Christmas - but remember the last shipping dates for delivery before 25th December:

UK:
First Class: 21st December
Special Delivery: 23rd December

Rest Of World [International Airmail & Signed for]
4th December: South & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Far East, Asia, New Zealand Australia
10th December: Japan, USA, Canada, Eastern Europe
11th December: Western Europe

GO HERE

13.10.2009

The address for lost property post festival is 23 Mill Lane, Wrentham, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 7JQ. 

The email for queries is root2art@googlemail.com

23.09.2009

The votes are in! We're very happy to announce that Latitude Festival 2009 has been shortlisted and we're really proud to be up for the following awards:

Best Medium Sized Festival

Family Festival Award

Virtual Festivals Critics choice award : Thom Yorke.


Everyone who takes part in voting is eligible for the ultimate festival prize-draw to win 2 VIP tickets to every winning festival.

Thanks for voting for us, remember the deadline is 4th November.

Vote HERE

12.08.2009

Home Live Art, the organisation specialising in the production of innovative multidisciplinary art events, has recruited arts commentator Louise Gray to take on the role of discussion host. 

Louise Gray writes:

“Throughout the woods surrounding the Lavish Lounge at Latitude 2009, some 14 artists – all with a diverse range of practice – had installed their work. Caroline Wright had hung delicate neon works of single words (examples: “Harmony”; “Respect”; “Tranquility”), inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony on trees, and in doing so had appropriated the language of modern Japan to draw attention to the ancient Buddhist roots of the ceremony. 

Mode 2 and Neil Antcliff (aka Foundry) had brought methods inspired by the very urban graffiti art to this buccolic environment; Jake Clark had laid in elaborate fake signs on the trees and pictures of barely remembered suburban places; Gabi Swiatkowska had hung framed paintings very much inspired by fine art practice on trees; and Paul Burgess and James Ruben – two artists whose work incorporated both the iconography of the rock icons of the festival’s line-up and that of pastoral painting – made playful and deliberate forays into multiple meanings. Tim Simmonds, interestingly the only artist working with film at in the Open Art programme, had a 20-foot screen onto which images touching on memory and belonging were projected. There was much to see and think about.

The actual process of curation, at least as it is practised in a gallery setting, is a multifaceted one. It’s not simply a process of selection, although this inevitably is part of it. The curator’s inquiry is something that arches over any show: it involves the creation of dialogues, antagonisms, of thematic likenesses and antitheses. The curator, Suzanne Pagé once told Daniel Birnbaum, “should be like a dervish who circles around the artworks”. 

In the two artist-curator discussions we held at Latitude, Anne Hilde Neset, Ben Borthwick and I were interested in how the context of the music festival affected the work of the artists involved and were curious that Latitude was interested, unusually so for events of this nature, in programming a widespread artistic practice. We were keen to talk to the artists about recurring themes and areas of interest. We were pleased that nearly all the artists involved in Open Art came to our series of two panel discussions and spoke so engagingly to us and the audience who came back, even after the rainstorms.

In this sense, it wasn’t just Open Art that was curated: the whole of Latitude’s programme was subject to macro and micro levels of curation and the question of to what extent Open Art was part of this is an open ended one. Open Art’s installations posed interesting questions: many revolved around the boundaries between public and private art and, accordingly, the responses of the spectators. Where does art end and where does it begin? What are the limits of what we might do with it? Burgess’ leafy clearing had, at one time, a bracken spiral added by unknown persons. Johnny Cole, busy painting meticulously detailed boards and inviting people to make their own additions (which he then accepted or not, as the case may be), was engaged in a very public process of work. Pay and Display, a Volkswagen Golf owned by Emma Hart and Dai Jenkins that had been ‘treated’ by the addition of the films projected onto its windows found that their work provoked the public in not always good ways.

Unsurprisingly, the character of the woods, its changing climate and light, its walk-through audience, brought up a discussion on performance and live art. Open Art had, by virtue of its mutable setting, a claim to be a creature or performance. La JohnJoseph, the one artist who wasn’t being shown in the woods because he was appearing on stage at the Cabaret Tent and the Lavish Lounge, was an articulate link between the very off-Broadway live art scenes of 1980s New York and the here-and-now context of live art. Which, considering how rare the opportunities are to sit in woods talking about Split Britches, Weimar Kabarett and the shade of Ethyl Eichelberger, is a rather wonderful thing.

Latitude certainly offers a rich – if challenging – environment for artists. Some had had problems – crowds, participation, hostility, weather. Nevertheless, we were interested in the ways the spectators did participate – even if, unlike at a gallery, their actions could be unregulated. I would have liked to have seen a wider range of work produced – for example, sound installations (Hannah Rickards, perhaps, or Jennifer Walsh?), more video work, more live art, land art. Presentation is a factor, too: part of the charm of Open Art 2009 was its openness – people could stumble against the art (and some did). However, this is not without problems: the provision of some spaces that were more dedicated and protected would mean that the range of work offered could be increased.


Tate Modern Curator, Ben Borthwicks’ fascinating Critic’s report:

"When I was invited to participate in the Open Art panel discussions my focus was on trying to identify the logic or narrative behind the selection of the artists. As a curator at Tate Modern, I work primarily on large-scale exhibitions in conventional gallery spaces: white walls, clean architecture, and canonical art works. One of the exciting things about the Open Art projects is that it stages the artwork in an environment that is the absolute opposite of the supposedly neutral 'white cube' spaces of galleries and museums. In reality, the white cube environment conditions our experience of whatever is displayed within it just as much as seeing art in any other more 'theatrical' environment, but the artificiality of the white cube is most dramatically demonstrated when you see art hung from trees in the rain! At its most successful, the work in Open Art adapted itself to the arbitrariness of these conditions. This was most startlingly apparent in the surfaces - it was all ferns and bark and fallen leaves, light levels dependent on time of day, whether a cloud passed overhead let alone seeing work at sunrise sunset.

The immediacy of the bucolic setting had a second, very British component: the weather. Some of the artists had taken a risk by presenting work which was not weatherproof, or hadn't accounted for the weather as a latent ingredient that would radically transform the object. If an artwork is going to buckle and warp in the rain, then you have to hope the artist had thought of it and welcomed this contingent contribution to its state. Other artists had mitigated against such variables by coating their objects in protective lacquer that gave the work a curious finish, as if it has been preserved in aspic - James Ruben's wonderful Nick Cave wunderkammer perfectly captured the archaic violence and folkloric themes in so many of his songs, and the thick clear preserving agent somehow seemed appropriate. And others still used materials that are weather immune, such as neon which shifted the focus away from what was happening to the artwork and instead emphasised what the artwork was doing to the space in which it was staged. The shifts that Caroline Wright's neon words effected at different times of the day or night, and in different weather conditions, was by turns exquisitely subtle and incredibly dramatic - in the rain, the woods were somehow turned into a pastoral manifestation of downtown Tokyo, each tree trunk a proxy for a skyscraper, gaudy green light bouncing off the wet bark, while during dry spells the words became suggestive fragments of a poem withdrawing into itself.

As is so often the case, it was only through the direct physical encounter of walking around the site that the connections became apparent. In some ways, the now firmly established tradition of the music festival set in the rolling greenery (or oft times mud!) of the English countryside has assumed the mantle of what British art of the last centuries had as its primary focus - maintaining a link between the landscape and our cultural identity.

It would be a mistake to think of country houses, large open fields, or canals as indisputable or timeless motifs of the landscape, no matter how thoroughly embedded they have become in our ideas of the English pastoral setting. These landmarks that have been acculturated and now define our notions of tradition were, in their time, viewed as symbols of modernity that ravaged natural beauty by inserting an alien, usually economic, narrative into the landscape. The shift that has happened now is that instead of being permanent structures, this desire is sated by occupying a temporal instead of material space. For many people, getting out of the city is extremely difficult for a variety of reasons and the only encounter with 'nature' is through hearing Grace Jones 'en plein air' surrounded by 30,000 other people. The shift that has happened is that rather than permanently 'mark' a space with an architectural folly that declares the greatness of a single patrician figure, those 30,000 people, together with a lot of bands and truckloads of logistical support, create a temporary space of experience that disperses afterwards. The footprint of the festival is minimal and a week later most festival goers would be hard pressed to recognise the practising farm as the same site.

At their best, the artworks engaged with their surroundings, both natural and musical, with a specificity that is simply not possible within the conventional surrounds of a music venue or art gallery, but also in a way that absolutely engaged that moment. By mapping an alternative narrative of temporal experience onto the familiar trope of a weekend in the timeless space of the countryside, the music festival, and by extension the art and literary programmes, are now the medium through which so many of us get our annual fix of nature. This being the case, there seems to be a pressing need to collapse the various meanings of the word 'wild.'"


Anne Hilde Neset writes:

“We had an interesting discussion around issues presented by the art at Latitude, such as how does presenting artworks outdoors in a rural landscape affect its presentation and reception; and how does a music festival setting affect the viewing. All the artists had interesting points with regards to the setting – encounters with their audience (“I had phone calls at 3am by drunk people wanting to discuss my portraits”), a kind of audience contact not often had when exhibiting in a traditional gallery context, which raised poignant issues around vulnerability and what is personal and what is public. Many of the artists had engaged literally with the Latitude music programme, by portraying the artists and reflecting on issues around fandom and icons.”

11.08.2009

This year's Latitude Festival will be featuring in the Festival Annual 09, the first ever user-generated book on the UK festival season, documenting the summer through photos and stories. The Festival Annual team were be on site snapping away; if they asked you to strike a pose then check-out the online galleries to see the results. You can also upload and tag your own festival pics - the best ones will be printed in the book.



Along with every photograph submitted having the chance to be published, anybody who tags themselves will get an automatic name-check in the book, as does anyone who uploads a photo.  Want to get your review published, simply tweet #FA and enter the chance to get your views in print.

Check out the galleries HERE

SPECIAL OFFER FOR LATITUDE FRIENDS:
PRE-ORDER NOW & GET 50% OFF (the RRP of £25)
USE PROMO CODE: LATITUDE
To pre-order your copy, go HERE

03.08.2009

30.07.2009

We were inundated with fantastic entries, it was so hard to choose just one!

We also received entries from such a wide range of ages we created two sections, Over 16’s and Under 16’s as well as close runners up.


OVER 16’s Joint Winners: POLLY LINDSAY & NICK & LISA RISBEC




UNDER 16’s Winner: 9 year old RIONA SHERGOLD

RUNNERS UP: Laura from Amsterdam, Jonathon Patel and Lucinda Chell from Sheffield.

Many thanks to James Rueben Stephens for his designs and artwork used for the Art Trail competition storyboards.

23.07.2009

21.07.2009

Too caught up in trying to see everyone and everything and forget to buy a tshirt, hoodie or a tea towel?

Get your 2009 merchandise here.

20.07.2009

19.07.2009

Riding a high and beautiful wave from his Edinburgh fringe award-winning success and the DVD of the show ('I Suppose This Is Offensive Now!) Brendon is not an easy act to watch. At first glance it does seem offensive, but throughout years and years of honing his act you come to realise Brendon is, dare it be said, far too clever for that.

As he gives his own particular take on everything from Jade Goody to Swine Flu, from Cocaine to Dizzee Rascal, he steadfastly refuses to not use any of the fabled 'seven words you can't say on television'. Instead littering the show with language that would make a sailor blush.

This, it turns out, is Brendon toned-down. The reason, Brendon's 10-year old boy is backstage. When the rain forces a quick game of musical chairs throughout the arena Burns uses this as an opportunity to bring the child out, to raptuous applause. 

Safely tucked away backstage again Burns brings the house down with an 'off-the mic', 'on-the-mic' finale about the Michael Barrymore pool party. The material less suitable for a 10-year old being 'off-the-mic', almost whispered to the crowd. Keeping the pace of the gags flying means a slip-up was inevitable, and soon punchlines and curse words echo around the grounds and filter backstage. When he gets home, Brendon will have a lot of explaining to do.


Owen Nicholls

19.07.2009

With the mid-afternoon sun on their backs, an ever-increasing crowd assembled as Joe Gideon & The Shark’s set took flight over the area. The siblings – guitarist Joe Gideon and drummer Viva (the Shark) – took to the stage in all black and a leopard print jumpsuit respectively, and took little time in opening their set with ‘Johann was a Painter and Arsonist’, a powerfully played proclamation of the links between art and madness.

Typifying their style, the following pair of songs, ‘DOL’ and ‘Hide and Seek’ saw Viva build up loops of voice and piano, then let fly on the drums as they developed. Her technically brilliant playing offset Gideon’s off-centre character stories in such a way as to be both engaging and thrilling. 'Hide And Seek', a song introduced as being "about a boy I once knew... who had a really bad day at school", stood out for its catchy looping of schoolyard calls and its dry monologue from a bully's perspective.

Clearly enjoying their time on a festival stage, JG&TS ripped into their songs with grins on their faces, regardless of the lyrical content. Their precise, high-octane performances stood out at their central position on the site, and the crowd was, quite rightly, loudly appreciative.


Pete Burgess

19.07.2009

Saturday night's VVIP party in the Cabaret Arena was an exclusive, know-someone-in-the-know type of affair.  Only the very fabulous of the festival goer set were being allowed into this party. 

Those who arrived at the door and were deemed, not glamorous enough were dispatched with haste to the literary salon, which had been converted into a make-over marquee for the night.  On uttering the password “LIZA MINELLI”, guests were admitted to be primped and polished and returned to the party.  Of course, a party isn’t a great party, without party games – and volunteers were sought throughout the evening to entertain the other guests with karaoke, striptease, air guitar and vogueing.   

The cabaret entertainment was provided by reigning alternative Miss World Fancy Chance performing a naked striptease before being carried off stage by Dave the Bouncer and Kalki Hula Girl who amazed the assembled guests with her seemingly effortless Hula Hooping.  

In between the entertainment, party DJ Goldirocks kept the crowd dancing and at the end of the evening played a storming set before Dave the Bouncer returned to the stage to announce that the party was over and that we should ‘do our talking whilst we were walking’.  

The fabulous of the festival set streamed out into the night, heading off for more fun and frolics at Club de Fromage In The Woods.


Pauline Stone

19.07.2009

At the start of the weekend, there was little doubt about whose set would be the most greatly anticipated and widely talked about come Sunday night, and as Thom Yorke’s soundcheck rang out over the festival site during Sunday morning, a great buzz of anticipation descended over the breakfasting campers. The huge crowd responded with feverish excitement as he took to the stage to begin his performance at noon.

With a vast back catalogue to pick songs from, Yorke opted for a mixture of old and new, playing the majority of his solo album 'The Eraser', some for the first time live, and a few album tracks and rarities from the Radiohead canon. Opener ‘The Eraser’ set the tone for much of the set, Yorke’s voice sounding fuller than ever against a simple acoustic backing (this one on piano, although the stage was set up to include guitars, bass and synths as well). Other songs performed simply included a debut showing for Eraser track ‘Atoms For Peace’ and ‘Videotape’.

Thom Yorke was in high spirits, responding to every heckle he understood and politely turning down jokey requests from fans to play old songs ‘Pop is Dead’ and ‘Banana Co’. Rather, he chose to debut a new song (currently called 'The Present Tense') with a pretty acoustic guitar accompaniment, and to perform unrecorded old track ‘Follow Me Around’. Away from these simpler performances, pulsing beats were added to ‘Everything in its Right Place’ and ‘Cymbal Rush’, and bass, guitar and vocal loops were created live for ‘Harrowdown Hill’ and ‘Black Swan’.

The set’s finest moment was saved for the encore, though, as ‘There There’ was followed by a note-perfect performance of the extremely rare ‘True Love Waits’, Thom Yorke’s acoustic guitar gently complementing his soaring tenor. The crowd was left begging for more, as this year’s special slot was not only unusual (Yorke’s first full solo festival set), but also unforgettable.


Pete Burgess

Setlist:
The Eraser
Arpeggi
Atoms For Peace
Harrowdown Hill
Follow Me Around
Everything in its Right Place
The Present Tense
Cymbal Rush
Black Swan
Videotape
---
There There
True Love Waits

19.07.2009

At the Latitude Festival there are any number of interesting and inventive settings in which to be an audience member, however, a Radio 4 recording session in the BBC Radio Arena has to be one of the oddest experiences one can hope to gain.

A warm hush enveloped the cosy, darkened tent, tucked away in the northern corner of the site, which is artfully swathed in bright fabric streamers and set out with a veritable army of chairs for the silenced audience. The programme recorded on Saturday afternoon was titled ‘With Great Pleasure’, to be broadcast in the following week, which saw the multi-talented author Stuart Maconie select his most inspirational literary passages to share with the audience. Two stunningly expressive actors collaborated in the show, delivering diverse passages from Ted Hughes to Shakespeare.   

A delight in every spoken word.


Carla Washbourne

19.07.2009

19.07.2009

Nick Cave returned to Latitude on Sunday evening, this time with his Bad Seeds after wowing the festival in the penultimate slot on the Obelisk arena at last years Latitude with side project Grinderman. Editors singer Tom Smith seemed to pay homage to the headlining front man with the addition of a new angular moustache in the same slot Cave had played last year.

Once famously quoted as saying ‘A man without a moustache is like a woman with one’, Cave recently opted to shave the moustache that had become so synonymous with the man.  Anyone concerned Cave may have given into a more effeminate side had their doubts instantly quelled playing opener ‘Tupelo’ at their spitting, kicking, screaming best.  Although taken from the 1985 masterpiece ‘The Firtstborn is Dead’, the track still sounds as fresh as the day it was recorded.

Working through a career spanning set, the classics were met with as rapturous a response as new material from ‘Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!!’.  Proving that even at 51 Cave is still releasing material as sharp as that he recorded with The Birthday Party.

As Cave and his Bad Seeds work through their 25 year back catalogue, Cave’s messianic story telling is all held together with the Bad Seeds' usual dark funky undertones. The set only relents once for ‘Ship Song’, a beautiful ballad as diverse as both the festival the band close and the capability of the band that closes it.

There’s a certain poignancy to everything Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds play live, and you feel that many other equally competent musicians would be lost amongst this set of ravaging beasts.  With Cave, following guitarist Mick Harvey’s departure earlier this year, the only standing member from the original 1983 line up wearing his trademark open shirt, leading the band into set closer ‘Stagger Lee’ with his still smoldering hips.  Warren Ellis holds his half destroyed violin aloft midway through the now famous version of the classic blues story with strings hanging from it and you see each Seed has been hand picked by Cave to continue the legacy he has created.

Cave doesn’t seem to hold much in regard for encores but you do feel the man and the Bad Seeds he returned with have given their all, for the second time in the festivals short history.


Rob McCallum

Set list:
Tupelo ?
Dig, Lazarus, Dig! ?
Deanna?
Midnight Man ?
The Ship Song ?
Henry Lee ?
Moonland/We Call Upon The Author
The Mercy Seat
There She Goes My Beautiful World
The Weeping Song

19.07.2009

There is a comic irony in the heavens opening as Orkestra Del Sol arrived in Pandora’s Playground to begin their Sunday afternoon set.  Undeterred by the weather, this ten piece Edinburgh based group, hastily relocated to the shelter of Lucifire’s Tree and began to entertain the crowd with their sunny, flamboyant and brassy sound.  

As the rain fell heavier, they led the crowd like a New Orleans procession to the increased shelter of the outdoor stage.  Smiling and dancing through the downpour, the enthusiastic crowd played follow the leader. Just when it appeared that the set had finished, the crowd were once again drawn along by the Orkestra as they gate-crashed the Cabaret Arena, much to the surprise of the Sunday Afternoon host Kirsten O’Brien.  

The now very crowded Cabaret Arena, enjoyed one last waltz from the Orkestra Del Sol, and as the final clap faded, the sun came out once again.  Orkestra Del Sol had brought sunshine on a rainy day to the whole of Pandora's Playground.


Pauline Stone

19.07.2009

So strongly recommended in the festival programme, The Invisibles set on Sunday afternoon displayed something very exciting and new to the intrigued crowd. Billed as the UKs answer to TV on the Radio, the half hour show flew by as the band seamlessly blended all manner of styles (notably fusing elements of jazz, pop and post-rock), rarely stopping for breath.

The foursome, led by towering frontman Dave Okumo (who stood out in a bright yellow jacket and dark glasses), confidently merged guitar effects, falsetto vocals and complex percussion, as their avant-garde compositions often blended, despite the unique character of each, into one another. Never boring, it was testament to the strength of the bands musicality that such apparently busy music never descended into noise.

It would be a mistake to think of the band as identical to TVotR though; such unique pieces could only bear a passing resemblance to the work of another band. With such an exciting combination of intelligent arrangements and impressive technique on show in those tracks from their eponymous debut album, it would be a shame not to see The Invisible back on a larger stage, to enrich an even greater crowd, next year.


Pete Burgess

19.07.2009

!!! (commonly pronounced Chk Chk Chk) arrived to close this year's Sunrise Arena line-up with a spot-on reputation for chaotic and memorable performances. The Californian dance-punk collective are a six-piece at present, and, with a total of six hours sleep between them since a festival slot in Germany the night before, it was all the more impressive that their show never lost momentum.

Frontman Nic Offer spent the whole time either rapping his way through a mixture of new and established songs ('Must Be the Moon' a highlight as ever), dancing provocatively (indulging in a spot of microphone fellatio before the first song was finished) or leaping from the stage to get close enough to directly involve the crowd. 

!!!'s greatest live strength lay in their ability to sustain a catchy (almost hypnotic) rhythmic base, allowing Offer to take centre-stage and get the crowd moving. It being virtually impossible not to get drawn into the spectacle of it all, when Offer announced that in your darkest hour, never forget: we love you! before closing track 'Heart of Hearts', he already had everyone behind him.


Pete Burgess

19.07.2009

Paul Simon might have imparted his wisdom on relationships in his song ’50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’, but Deborah Frances-White has more advice and romantic insight than that for the singles gathered in the Cabaret Arena on Sunday afternoon.  Her one woman show  ‘How To Get Almost Anyone To Want To Sleep With You - Advanced Class’ is full of practical hints and suggestions on how to be more desirable, delivered in her unique comedy style.

Amongst her suggestions for the women is the wearing hats to draw attention to yourself - so that when you are complimented about your baseball cap or beret, you are actually being complimented on your breasts.  She suggests that the men develop a touch of the Clooneys - not some new pandemic virus, but to look to George Clooney for style tips and lady lessons.  With the assistance of audience members Jim & Max she demonstrates a core skill that she believes that every man should master - the ability to remove a bra with one hand.  Unfortunately, her demonstration descends into a bout of Greco-Roman wrestling as Jim & Max fight to be the first to get the others bra off.  Maybe, these two need a few more lessons.

The advanced class finishes all too soon, as I’m sure this teacher could have kept her class laughing and learning for a lot longer.


Pauline Stone

18.07.2009

Spiritualized originally hail from Rugby, Warwickshire, not a place synonymous with exuding creativity took to the Uncut arena this Saturday evening for a lesson in space rock.  Opener ‘Amazing Grace’ was quite apt, bearing in mind the sound of Obelisk Arena headliner Grace Jones had been drifting across the site into the tent for the past fifteen minutes whilst a patient audience had awaited its own headline act.

After the sing-along moment of ‘Soul On Fire’ the performance catches Jason Pierce, the bands only constant member, in a contemplative mood, weaving through tracks from last year’s ‘Songs From A&E’, recorded after the musician had been seriously ill in hospital with double pneumonia, and 1997’s ‘Ladies and Gentleman We Are Floating in Space’, seemingly unbelievably released just over twelve years ago.

As the band progress through their epic space rock fusing elements as broad as jazz to gospel, all layered between the wailing guitar of Doggen Foster, formerly of the Julian Cope Band fame, a man whom you think could quite possibly make a guitar cry.  Blended together in a way only such a set of talented musicians could, there are some glassy eyes in the crowd as we are taken on a journey through the spiraling maze that is Spiritualized’s back catalogue.

The arrangement of the tracks is impeccable and as closing track ‘Come Together’ would come to an end on record, we are treat to a near ten minute interlude of screaming guitars, intense piano, Doggen’s trademark six stringed scream and a drummer so sporadic with his firing drum beats, the whole thing can only be improvisational.


Rob McCallum

18.07.2009

Veteran rock queen Chrissie Hynde  – and, let’s face it, considering the number of line-up changes they’ve had over the years, The Pretenders are Chrissie Hynde just like Mark E. Smith is The Fall - played an energetic early-evening set at the Obelisk Arena on Friday. As is the norm with bands with a certain number of miles on the clock, it was a crowd-pleasing, greatest hits package featuring classic tracks like 'Back on the Chain Gang', 'Talk of the Town' and The Kinks’ cover 'Stop Your Sobbing'.

Then again, when you’ve got a back catalogue as strong as that who’s complaining?  At one point she playfully – and, perhaps knowingly – quipped that she’d thought about playing a load of new material just to perplex the audience.  She decided to perform the old stuff and let the audience download the new material.

It’s was nice to see that she’s as gutsy as ever.


Tom Lennon

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

Immaculately turned out in matching red tracksuits -  with sonic and stylistic influences that include Devo, Talking Heads, Kraftwerk and Ben Stiller’s family in The Royal Tenenbaums - Danish elctro-combo Datarock electrified the mid-Saturday afternoon audience at the Obelisk Arena.  Something of a surprise as mid-Saturday afternoon audiences at festivals are normally sedate, hungover and not used to such boisterous performances.

Highlights of their set included 'The Pretender' and 'Fa-Fa-Fa'. The latter track might be familiar to connoisseurs of console games, as it featured on FIFA 08 and Sims 2: Free Time.  Datarock are, it seems, somewhat prolific contributors to the video game industry, but don’t let that put you off.  As a live act they play with an infectious, gleeful energy that can evoke involuntary tush-shaking muscle spasms in even the most resolutely entropic derriere.  

Casio-keyboard fuelled Scandinavian art pop doesn’t come much better than this.


Tom Lennon

18.07.2009

Who (and why) are you most looking forward to seeing?
It's going to be something of a family reunion for me at Latitude this year. Little Boots is a friend of my sister's from school, and some of my very favourite people in the world are in The Irrepressibles, so more than anything I'm looking forward to seeing them. Of course, I wouldn't mind making new friends, should anyone (i.e. Grace Jones) care to.

What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I think it's pretty groovy that the festival has so many writers and poets in amongst the music and comedy acts. People my age seem to have stopped reading, literatures so underrated in the golden age of Youtube. Three cheers for Latitude and her books!

What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
People can expect whatever their filthy little hearts desire, but what they'll get is a transdrogynous entertainment spectacle, a riotous set of songs and stories inspired by my life in New York. Oh, and an amazing dress made out of paper aeroplanes, by Faye-Michelle Turner.

If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
Rolling around in a gutter somewhere with the rag tag bunch of trannies and punks I call my friends. Or reading "Winnie the Pooh"with my niece, depending on the weather.

What do you always bring to a festival?
Condoms and lavender facial mist.

Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
This is my first trip, in fact it's my first Summer in the UK for five years, so I'm very excited. From what I remember people in the UK go delirious and strip off as soon as the first ray of sun is seen, I like that spirit of adventure and hope to encourage it.

Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
I am absolutely the last person you should ask practical advice of. I just get shoved in a car, pushed onstage and then put back into storage. I have literally no idea how to put up a tent or get the grass stains out of your pants. In fact, I encourage you to sleep on the ground and enjoy your soiled clothing. Prepare for those ever closer post-apocalyptic days I say.

What is your favourite colour Sheep?
I love the whole rainbow of sheep, and seeing them all strolling about like a fleet of macaroons on legs is something I am looking forward to immensely.

18.07.2009

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival across the Arenas and why?
Wow, so many acts I would love to see this year. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Grace Jones, Spiritualized and Bat For Lashes are the big names for me. Also, there's a few acts who I have close ties with through my Chess Club record label and promotions, who are brilliant, and they are Post War Years and Kurran and the Wolfnotes.

What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
Colourful sheep. Stages in the forest. Boat rides. Because there aren't many festivals I know where you can enjoy such pleasures.

What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I think we'll be aiming to fill the stage with our performance, and hopefully rouse some emotion with our songs. I don't think we'll have too many fancy gimmicks in the show but I know we'll play with 100% commitment and conviction. And when we do that we always have a great show. We also have a fantastic slot and we'll be making the most of it, and hopefully channeling our nerves to a good use!

If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
If I wasn't playing with White Lies I think I'd be searching for a different creative outlet. I take my photography pretty seriously, and I've also just got into making short films, with the aid of my trusty super 8 camera. Although without White Lies I probably wouldn't have such interesting people and places to capture, so who knows!

What do you always bring to a festival?
So much underwear it's obscene. And Frosties cereal bars.

Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been?
We were lucky enough to play Latitude last year, and stay for pretty much the whole weekend. I really enjoyed Crystal Castles set in the middle of the forest, and also The Do's set there too.

Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Eat lot's of food there, it seems to be much better than the usual festival fodder. Explore the forest a bit too, it's an amazing place to be after dark and definitely take a boat ride.

What is your favourite colour sheep?
The purple ones last year looked like they were having the best time.

18.07.2009

Adding yet another string to Latitude's already impressive bow, the Film and Music Arena was host to a lively Q&A session featuring The Age Of Stupid's director Franny Armstrong and the man in charge of the UK's enviromental policies Ed Milliband MP.

Having been won over by Franny's film, a docu-drama featuring Pete Postlethwaite in the year 2055 looking back on why we didn't do more to stop the effects of climate change, the MP generously offered himself up to a myriad of unscripted questions from both the director herself and from audience members.
 
Questions varied in topic from Nuclear Power to Wind Farming, from the G20 protests to domestic flights. Each one highlighted not only the urgency of the problems at hand but also to the difficult balancing act in trying to keep people living the normal lives they lead. 

At times the audience was quick to attack the MP, and in light of the recent expenses scandals its easy to see why, but Mr. Milliband managed to slowly win large sections round with his self-effacing and humourous personality.

Most importantly though he managed to get across the message that it isn't just down to the government but to the people in the arena themselves. With the UK leading the way with last week's white paper it seems we may be finally be heading in the right direction. As described by Franny, Ed may be "the most important person on the planet right now".


Owen Nicholls

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

Broken Records, the underground indie-luvvies of the moment, summoned a respectable crowd to their early afternoon Obelisk Arena slot, treating all and sundry to a smattering of heartfelt, emotional indie, which seemed to be over all too quickly for the growing hoards. As a fitting counterpoint, The Airborne Toxic Event brought a much needed slice of good old American Rock ‘n Roll - despite their name and demeanour suggesting a much heavier sound – and seemed charmingly grateful for all the attention.

The Uncut Arena, just after four o’clock, witnessed an acoustic Mika set, which, yes, may seem like a contradiction in terms. The inimitable popster played the lack of electric to his advantage during his rammed appearance, belting out vocal driven versions of his chart favourites. Definitely a popular one with the kids, illustrated by the deafening swarm of youngsters clapping along to ‘Love Today’. 

Patrick Wolf, never one to avoid causing a scene, brought his multi-instrumental pop-opera to the late afternoon Obelisk Arena in a dazzling array of bespoke outfits, bringing the late afternoon crowd to boiling point with his energetic, camera-flirting antics. Running through a tight set of age-old favourites such as ‘Bloodbeat’, along with a healthy scoop of current album highlights, it is easy to imagine that a whole lot of new fans have just been born. 


Carla Washbourne

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

When she first played the Obelisk in Latitude’s inception year Regina Spektor was relatively little known this side of the Atlantic. Four years later and she’s second from headlining with a devoted crowd following every note and key. And she’s happy to be back.

The set starts with some choice material from her new album ‘Far’, including the tear inducing single, ‘Laughing With’. ‘On The Radio’ proves this will be anything but a ‘promote the new album show’ and fits perfectly alongside the new stuff. Each song equal parts heartbreaking and cute as hell. 

Her modest as a mouse character just adds to the adorable factor, thanking everyone ‘”so,so,so much for coming to hear my music”. Even when she’s dropping the F-bomb to a family friendly crowd , as soon as she notices the kids, she stops and apologises to ”all the little babies”.

An attempt to play a couple of guitar-led songs ends when she messes up the bass riff to ‘That Time’ seconds from the end. In fits of laughter she puts the instrument down and sits back behind her giant Steinway. No-one in the audience begrudges the instrument change-up, but now Regina is back where she belongs.

A hat-trick of her biggest hits follows, ‘Samson’, ‘Us’ and ‘Fidelity’ whipping the faithful crowd into a frenzy ready for a barnstorming country-inspired closer. After a few-thousand strong dance-off, she curtsies and thanks everyone once again. The crowd show their gratitude back ten-fold.


Owen Nicholls

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

Fever Ray, aka Karin Dreijer Andersson and more famously one half of Swedish duo The Knife, gave a rare live performance of this year’s debut self titled solo record at Latitude this Friday afternoon.

Stripping away the dance beats but keeping the pitch shifted distorted tones present throughout previous recordings with The Knife, the band give a disturbing portrayal of Andersson’s time spent suffering from insomnia following the birth of her first child.

With the vocals often even more inaudible than on the record, a desolate, isolated soundscape is at times reminiscent of an 80’s Kate Bush.  With synths and drum pads amongst more traditional instrumentation, album opener If I Had a Heart translates the feeling of extreme sleep deprivation directly into a stark yet mesmerising resonance.

If there was an award for most innovative costume at Latitude, Fever Ray would certainly have to be a nominee, with warped court jesters and clown like figures surrounding Andersson, who herself looks like she has had some kind of accident with a badger and a patchwork cushion.  With her face, as is expected from previous live shows, covered for the first half of the performance, portraying startlingly honest and cutting lyrics of obsessive behaviour and life amongst Concrete Walls, the pillow accident is removed, and a rare glimpse of the singer onstage is given revealing a mass of white hair reminiscent of the white witch, and you begin to feel this is a way of life rather than simply an image as a performer.

As the dry ice engulfing the stage, giving only the occasional glimpse of the characters upon it, is increasingly pumped out into the arena, two low lasers cut across the ceiling, and an utterly mesmerising visual is complete, with the only real understanding we are left with is an obvious, and at times verging on uncomfortable fear in this iconic music.


Rob McCallum

18.07.2009

18.07.2009

Even in the fading Thursday light it is easy to tell that Latitude is a pretty special festival; a feeling that can only be reinforced as you emerge from the woods and stroll casually past the flock of technicolour sheep grazing by the lake side in to the verdant main arena.

Even though Latitude does not fully open until Friday, festival goers are able to explore the main arena, and despite the fact that the heavens had fully opened by approximately 10pm, the early arrivals were out in force to sample the offerings in the smaller tents and arenas. These offerings included the Gaymers Cider Garden from which karaoke tinged refrains twisted through the drizzly night and the truly disorientating disco In The Woods.

The Film and Music stage hosted some vocal gems such as Camille O’Sullivan, whose soulful voice beautifully complimented the 1920’s ambience. The defining atmosphere of the first night was one of discovery and especially of surprise occurrences, such as the inimitable songwriter / word-smith Robyn Hitchcock appearing to perform a regrettably short, post-midnight stint as part of Robin Ince’s Book Club in the Literary Arena.


Carla Washbourne

18.07.2009

A relaxed Saturday morning awaited those who came in from the sun to the Film and Music Arena, where Kieran Evans’ award-winning documentary, ‘From Here To Before’, charting Vashti Bunyan’s legendary journey from London to the Outer Hebrides was shown. The story of her debut album, Just Another Diamond Day’s creation was picturesque and inspiring, with anecdotal contributions by Vashti herself (offering an insight into her experiences on the road and her response to retracing the journey over 30 years on), and assessments of her great achievements by friends and collaborators including musicians Devendra Banhart, Max Richter and Adem. 

The film was followed by a live performance, purportedly cobbled together at short notice but showing none of the cracks one might expect from such a show, by Adem and a group of four friends, who accompanied his acoustic guitar and vocals with various instruments including the recorder and violin. As well as one of Adem’s original songs, ‘Everything You Need’, a number of cover versions were imaginatively attempted, including Tim Buckley’s ‘Song to the Siren’, Banhart & Bunyan’s collaboration ‘In Golden Empress Hands’ and “king of twee” Donovan’s ‘Happiness Runs’. In producing a setlist which was not only inspired by, but which recalled in spirit Bunyan’s journey, Adem and friends’ contribution perfectly complemented ‘From Here To Before’.


Pete Burgess

18.07.2009

With the sunshine flourishing outside, two very different bands thrived under the covers of the Sunrise Arena.

As the sun escaped the clouds over the Latitude Festival site early on Saturday afternoon, Band of Skulls took hold of the Sunrise Arena with their own brand of powerful blues-rock. Their short set, best characterised by the boy-girl vocal assault by guitarist Russell Marsden and bassist Emma Richardson, saw the trio work the crowd into rapturous applause by the closing number. Matt Hayward’s rampant drums and the others’ vicious guitar sounds were so reminiscent of the likes of the White Stripes, it came as a surprise to discover they were formed only a year ago, and in Southampton rather than Detroit.

The gap between slots saw an almost complete changeover of audience, the conservatively dressed blues lovers replaced by tie-dyed and facepainted revellers, as Animal Kingdom gave the crowd something to dance about. With lyrics like “good morning, it’s a lovely day” utterly relevant for the not-long-up festival crowd, the indie five-piece combined Richard Sauberlich’s pure tenor with a clean, reverberating backdrop of spacy dream-pop guitars. In a refreshing contrast to the primal sound of Band of Skulls, Animal Kingdom’s offering cleansed the musical palate, and left the crowd feeling well awake, ready to face whatever else Latitude would offer for the remainder of the day.


Pete Burgess

17.07.2009

The Uncut Arena was honoured by the presence of Danish progressive-rock band Mew, whose touring schedule has been regrettably sparse of late. Starting their set with new material which touched upon the ‘stadium’ end of the rock spectrum, the group completed their set with unprecedented flourish, melding tracks in to a seamless wave of glorious, audience stunning, noise. 

The Uncut Arena also saw headliner Bat for Lashes croon her way through an opulent set, based heavily upon tracks from her debut album, although a smattering of new material was lavished upon the expectant crowd.

Pet Shop Boys brought their own brand of 80’s tinged, electro madness to the Obelisk Arena, attended by a sprawling, manically dancing audience. Their simplistic, instantly recognisable style rang out across the lake and through the campsites, where spontaneous renditions of ‘Go West!’ were seemingly un-suppressible.  The cardboard box clad backing dancers are still a relative mystery, although in the spirit of the 80’s, we chose to simply accept and carry on dancing.

After echoes of the main stage excitement had subsided, Turin Brakes were one of the buried treasures to be found in the Friday evening drizzle, tucked in to a swarming Music & Film Arena in the very early hours. A very calm, and thankfully dry, audience witnessed an acoustic set encompassing a ‘Billie Jean’ salute, which even managed to draw the semi-comatose crowd in to a sing-along.  


Carla Washbourne

17.07.2009

TPHB is the brainchild of Embassy Sound Productions (ESP) duo Daniel Collas and Sean Marquan. The two New York underground club DJ’s who became restless with the concept of playing other peoples records take a Phil Spector like approach to dance orientated rock and roll, arranging an ever changing, and seemingly increasing range of musicians as prolific as members of TV On The Radio and L’Trimm. 


The duo guide the seven piece through a fusion of genres borrowed from the records they know so well, including disco, electro and 60’s soul blended with synth heavy hooks giving a fresh feel to what could become a tribute to so many acts of yesteryear.

Crowd pleaser '15-20' is a guitar laden disco monster, and as the female fronted band work through a near ten minute final piece, another reminder is beckoned as to how diverse the artistic calibre across Latitude festival is, not only across the broad spectrum of arenas, but each individual line-up in itself.


Rob McCallum

17.07.2009

The phrase “up with the larks” applies as the campsites came to life at the very hint of sunlight (though I think this would be highly dependent on any larks lurking which had managed to survive the deluge of Thursday night). Never before has there been such an orderly queue for the arena, yet the vast majority of campsite inhabitants waited patiently in line, whilst critical wood-chip related action was taken on the arena paths.  

Once all post-storm clear up measures had been completed, music lovers flocked to the Obelisk stage to witness Flashguns kick off the proceedings in style. Flanked by an eager crowd, the just-audible, playful chorus of "Flashguns you’re s**t" floating from the comedy tent only slightly tarnished their glossy sound. Amazing Baby followed, bringing some painfully attractive (both musically and, well.... literally), swaggering post-rock to Latitude, while Of Montreal injected some psychedelic visuals and laid-back sounds to the seated but unanimously attentive crowd. 

That said it doesn’t take long to realise that some of the best musical experiences at Latitude are not to be found out on the main stages. The Temper Trap, hidden away in the mid-afternoon Uncut Arena proved to be one of the most rewarding bands of the day, while Chew Lips, with their impish front-woman and relentless electro-pop sound, lit up the late afternoon Lake Stage. 


Carla Washbourne

17.07.2009

Even in the fading Thursday light it is easy to tell that Latitude is a pretty special festival; a feeling that can only be reinforced as you emerge from the woods and stroll casually past the flock of technicolour sheep grazing by the lake side in to the verdant main arena. 
Festival goers are able to explore the festival along and around the woods and lake and despite the fact that the heavens had fully opened by approximately 10pm, the early arrivals were out in force to sample the offerings in the smaller tents and arenas. 

These offerings included the raucous Gaymers Cider Garden from which karaoke tinged refrains twisted through the drizzly night and the truly disorientating disco In the Woods. 

The Film and Music Arena hosted some vocal gems such as Camille O’Sullivan, whose soulful voice beautifully complimented the 1920’s ambience. The defining atmosphere of the first night was one of discovery and especially of surprise occurrences, such as the inimitable songwriter / word-smith Robyn Hitchcock appearing to perform a regrettably short, post-midnight stint as part of Robin Ince’s Book Club in the Literary Arena. 


Carla Washbourne

17.07.2009

Part of the same Brooklyn scene that has spawned the likes of Chairlift, and alumni of Wesleyan university alongside the likes of MGMT, this pair of neo-hippies lend more from the likes of new recruits Suckers and the blissful vocal harmonies they lay upon Yeasayers debut ‘All Hours Cymbals’.

The sonic sound they purvey is reminiscent of the Amorphous Androgynous at their mystical best and borrows elements of folk, prog and funk, with lead guitarist Simon O’Connor cutting the figure of a legendary axeman in the making, possibly more fitting within the mould of California than the eastern US city he derives from.

Only other constant member of the band, vocalist  Will Roan seems to be having an obscene amount of fun, proclaiming ‘this is a blast’, as the band give a more stripped down ambience to the immaculate studio sound heard on record.  As the five piece drift from psyched out pop tunes to guitar laden space rock with careless abandon, the genre bending spectacle is all held tightly in unison by temporary member Matt Abeysekera’s tight drumming, an instruamentalist the band would do well to keep hold of, and giving the festival a feel of how the future affected the 70’s .



Rob McCallum

17.07.2009

17.07.2009

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this and why?
I'm looking forward to seeing Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Grace Jones. Looking forward to Nick Cave is a daily activity for me. I saw them at the Troxy in East London on their last tour and the whole building shook. Grace Jones will bound to be wearing something I want to steal. I also want to catch The Mummers and Sonver.

What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
The fact that I'm playing on a stage in a woods intrigues me. Will we be powered by woodpeckers..?

What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned?
I will be bringing the entire Bad Seeds back catalogue so I can hunt down Nick Cave backstage for an enforced signing and good time karaoke session... Then I shall kidnap him. Apart from that? Paisley black Wellingtons, bows, plenty of glitter and a virtual gospel choir of evil dwarves is what you expect from me and the band.

If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
If I wasn't a musician, writing short stories and living in America working as an overdressed librarian. If I wasn't at Latitude?  I would be practicing my guitar and swearing at Logic.

What do you always bring to a festival?
This will be my first festival show so I shall be bringing virginity.

Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
1-Baby wipes and apples. There's a war out there.
2-Go and see Nick Cave. Go and see me!
3-Go geek and plan what you want to see and synch your iCal with your Blackberry. I always plan my festival viewing with military precision... but then it all goes to hell as soon as you smell the cider and you end up using the programme as a makeshift parasol/hat/seat.

What is your favourite colour Sheep?
Black, of course. Although, fact fans, black is strictly speaking not a 'colour', but an absence of colour. We call it a way of life... It's always better on the outside.

16.07.2009

16.07.2009

I'm a big fan of lazy sporting metaphors, so here we go. Latitude Festival is a lot like Cricket. Fun, a bit silly and as English as cucumber sandwiches. The only difference being if rain arrives the men in white have to stop their fun. Latitude Festival goers don't.
 
Of course it'll put a slight dampener on things but if you follow the boy scouts method of 'always be prepared' (wellies, ponchos, etc) you can just shrug off the downfall, scream at the thunder and cheer every lightning strike.
 
Thursday started off as well as the English batsmen, sunny and ready for the task at hand. While the festival proper kicks off on the Friday there was more than enough introductory acts dotted around the open stages.
 
In the Film and Music Arena, 'Patti Plinko and her Boy', gave an intense, passionate show full of throaty renditions of songs old and new. A particular highpoint was her interpretation of the often covered 'In The Pines'. Nirvana, Smog and Ralph McTell have all had a go at the traditional American folk song and this cover was, dare I say it, even grittier than Kurt's.
 
The Poetry Arena was jam packed even before the rain with Elvis McGonagall (part stand-up, part poet, part revolutionary) riffing on everything from Jeremy Clarkson to fellow homeboy Andy Murray and the English "love him when he's winning/hate him when he's losing" attitude.

In the Literary Arena Grace Maxwell was reading from her book 'Falling and Laughing: The Restoration Of Edwyn Collins'. Detailing her partner's recovery from two horrific brain haemorrhages, the reading was heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measures. A tale to equal Jean-Dominique Bauby in the audacity of the human spirit stakes.

It appeared that Tlaloc himself was moved as moments after the heavens opened. To those that made it through the worst weather Latitude has known with a grin on your face, well done. As I type, the sun is shining brightly. Its a reward for you.

Owen Nicholls

16.07.2009

For the third year running, we are proud to announce that this weekend’s Latitude Festival in Henham Park is sold out cementing Latitude’s prominent place in the incredibly busy summer calendar. 

In a time when other festivals are struggling to sell out or having to cancel the events all together due to bad ticket sales, Latitude is flourishing as a leading and pioneering festival. It has expanded year on year with almost double the amount of people coming this year compared to Latitude’s debut in 2006.  Its increase in popularity is in no small way down to its now trademark diversity of art, entertainment, and attractions which has re-written the rule book of traditional festivals and that continues to inspire and influence. Offering the festival goer the full spectrum of art with individual arenas dedicated to film, theatre, poetry, literature, cabaret, fashion, dance comedy and of course music, it is a ground-breaking approach that has now established Latitude as a peerless and unique experience.

Latitude Festival 2009 has the very best bands, artists, actors, authors, poets, writers, dancers, films and directors performing across four principal Music Arenas and seven Arts Arenas. Headlined by Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Latitude can also boast the exclusive involvement of BAFTA; Mark Lamarr presenting God’s Jukebox with The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, and a wealth of shorts, screenings, talks and Q&As in the Film and Music Arena; a quite astonishing comedy line-up including Jo Brand, Ed Byrne, Mark Thomas, Sean Lock and Adam Hills in the Comedy Arena. 

The Literary Arena is packed full of top authors including Blake Morrison, David Peace, Vivienne Westwood and Jeremy Hardy as well as Latitude favourites Robin Ince’s Book Club, The Early Edition hosted by Marcus Brigstocke, The RSC, National Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Paines Plough, nabokov and The Bush all bring exciting new shows to the Theatre Arena. Plus stellar poets Andrew Motion, Jackie Kaye and Simon Armitage are all confirmed for the Poetry Arena co-curated by Luke Wright.

The Cabaret Arena welcomes the ever hilarious and inventive Pippa Evans, Ida Barr, Miss Behave, Lucifire and plenty more exciting performances over the weekend. And that’s not to mention the first ever fashion show at Latitude courtesy of HouseOfBlueEyes and the awe-inspiring Sadler’s Wells and Royal Opera House who will be presenting stunning programmes of contemporary dance and ballet on a beautiful stage floating on the lake.

16.07.2009

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at this year’s Latitude festival and why?
Well, I'm biased but I think Nathan Jones & Wave Machines in the Poetry Arena will be ace. So will Aidan Moffet, Molly Naylor, Rhian Edwards and Ross Sutherland. Outside of poetry I'm really looking forward to seeing some comedy and chilling out with my wife and new baby in the woods and down by the lake.

What aspect of Latitude Festival interests you the most and why?
I relish the task of managing my arena, but also the stark contrast between this and the calming nature of just slowly walking around the site taking in all the beautiful people and displays.

What can people expect you to bring to the festival and do you have anything special planned? 
I'll be trailing material from my new show The Petty Concerns of Luke Wright, as well brushing the dust of festival favourites like Camping Dad and Embrace The Wank.

If you weren't doing this what would you be doing?
At home with my wife doing nothing.

What do you always bring to a festival?
Black plastic bags (years of Glasto training) and rum.

Have you been to Latitude before, and if so, what has your favourite performance been? 
I really enjoyed Jarvis Cocker in 2007, but the best thing has got to be Carol Ann Duffy last year in the Poetry Arena.

Do you have any festival tips for those in attendance at Latitude?
Don't panic, go with the flow and let yourself be surprised by new and different performances.

What is your favourite colour Sheep?
Pink!

15.07.2009

14.07.2009

Stay on in the beautiful Suffolk. 

There is plenty to do on top of just whiling away a sunny afternoon on the beautiful beaches. 

Just show your festival wristband and you can take advantage of these fabulous offers.


Melvin Benn, Managing Director Latitude Festival says .." The pier has been recently renovated and juts out from the sandy beach lined with brightly coloured beach huts that Southwold is renowned for; definitely worth a visit even if just for the vintage arcade games and ice cream. 

Last year I took an interesting trip on the Southwold Ferry and ended up in Walberswick. Walking along winding country lanes and beautiful footpaths you can end your afternoon stroll with a pint of local Adnams in one of the two pubs, the 600-year-old The Bell Inn or The Anchor."

- RSPB Minsmere 2 for 1 plus children go free (2 adults and up to 4 children for £5)
- Pleasurewood Hills - 2 for 1 entry
- Coastal Voyager - 10% off
- Somerleyton Hall - 2 for 1 entry into the gardens
- Oasis Camel Centre - £1 off standard admissions
- Easton Farm Park - child goes free with a full paying adult


Go on, make a holiday out of it. You deserve it!

14.07.2009

14.07.2009

13.07.2009

Brought to you by beardy Woods Stage headliners Beef Warehouse and some ladies with Big Melons, our big colourful Indian tent is two parts market, three parts fun.

Melon slices & fresh fruit breakfasts, a vintage clothing stall, a Noel Edmonds style swap shop and a big bunch of pick 'n' mix play it yourself vinyl.
 
Plus sporadic performances from poets, comedians and musicians, and then - if the Lake Stage isn't too noisy - we'll be cranking up the sound system until we get told off and sent to bed.

Look out for it in the main arena.

13.07.2009

09.07.2009

YOU BOOK. WE SETUP. YOU USE. WE RECYCLE.

Why are they so good?

- Your myhab will be set up waiting for you
- Toilets and Showers in the area
- Comes with king size foam bedding
- Built in locker for your valuables.
- Raised off the ground; no damp nights
- A light....for the night. A mirror...for the morning
- Two way access; great ventilation

All this for only £235 inc vat.

Click here to book your myhab.

[This accommodation package does not include a weekend camping ticket - one of which must have been previously bought by each occupant of the myhab]

09.07.2009

Festivals are great. All those bands, the people, the muesli.  Yes, the muesli!

That’s why Kellogg's are bringing their scrummy new Kellogg’s Nature’s Pleasure to Latitude to serve all the good, good people with their deliciously different muesli.  They’ve baked a fresh batch specially.

They’ve got four different varieties to choose from; Apple & Blackcurrant; Almond, Pecan & Cashew; Raspberry & Cherry; and Almond, Pecan & Raisin. Baked them all with honey and raw cane sugar to give them their unique taste, which is something no other muesli does.  Ta da!

So, go to their stand and sample the wares. 
You can enjoy their muesli… we’ve plenty to share. 

Each morning from 7 you can swing by our way. 
Then chill in the sunshine… and enjoy the day.

08.07.2009

08.07.2009

08.07.2009

Click here for the Site map

07.07.2009

UNCUT ARENA
~ Tricky ~

SUNRISE ARENA
~ Thomas Dybdahl ~ My Toys Like Me ~ DM Stith ~
~ Blue Roses ~ Lyrebirds ~

LAKE STAGE
~ 9bach ~

With just over a week to go, the Latitude programme is almost complete boasting a range of eclectic bands and artists.

If you haven't bought a ticket yet, there are only a few left. For those that have, your tickets are being sent out this week.

See you at the festival!

03.07.2009

03.07.2009

The 2nd Ashes Test match between England and Australia takes place over the Latitude weekend.

There will be a cricket scoreboard situated outside the 'One Degree East' Supermarket in the Village area.

The scoreboard will be updated every 15 minutes to keep punters up-to-date with the latest score.

02.07.2009

Last year’s barrow hire service was a resounding success.  The same flexible, friendly Barrow Boys team will be returning this year to help you get your kit from car to campsite – and back again.  You can hire by the hour, or rent for the entire weekend (barrows easily convert into comfortable camping seats or accommodation for sleeping toddlers during shows). 

There are two hire points in the car parks, which will be marked on your map, or just follow the signs or ask a steward.

You can hire by the hour, or for the entire weekend.  And if you need help carrying your kit to the campsite, there's a portered service for a small additional cost.  

If you'd like to pre-book or have any questions - contact Mike Gilmore at mike@justwrite.it and he'll be more than happy to help.

01.07.2009

01.07.2009

30.06.2009

30.06.2009

FILM & MUSIC ARENA
                   BAFTA presents:
Q&A with Stephen Frears, interviewed by David Morrissey
                              ~
‘Le Donk’ screening and Q&A with Shane Meadows and Paddy Considine
                              ~
Preview of ‘White Lightnin’ and Q&A with Edward Hogg
                              ~

~ Lightspeed Champion sings Cat Stevens’ songs from the soundtrack of 1971 film Harold & Maude ~
~ ‘Do You Love Me Like I Love You’ Part 5: Tender Prey, plus Q&A with Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard ~

COMEDY ARENA
 ~ Robin Ince ~ Glenn Wool ~ Tom Stade ~

LITERARY ARENA
~ ID Political Debate ~ Orwell: A Celebratiom ~
~ Fflur Dafydd ~ Pete Brown: Man Walks Into A Pub ~

LITERARY SALON
~Talkeoke ~

CABARET ARENA
~ Phil Nichol ~ David Hoyle ~ The Voguettes & Glitterbanditz~
~ The La De Dahs ~ Nathan Evans ~

THE WATERFRONT
~ Music Of The Spheres ~ Avant Garde ~ Revealing Eve~

OUTDOOR THEATRE
~ The Pleasance 'The Gannet' ~ Evi Vine ~ Yeah Sparrow ~

Lavish 'Open Art'
~ Jake Clark ~ Giles Walker ~ Mode 2~ Foundry ~ Paul Burgess~ James Stephens ~ Tim Simmons ~ Maria Slovakova ~ Gabi Swiakowska ~ Johnny Cole ~ Tamsyn Adams ~Emma Jenkins & Dia Jenkins ~Caroline Wright ~Snub & Defacto ~ Louise Gray hosting ‘In conversation with Artists’ ~


For more information on the new acts announced, please go HERE to read more about them. To buy tickets to this year's edition of Latitude, please go to www.seetickets.com/latitude

29.06.2009

23.06.2009

OBELISK ARENA
~ The Broken Family Band ~
~ Broken Records ~

UNCUT ARENA
~ Miike Snow ~Gurrumul ~The Vaselines ~
~ Manchester Orchestra ~ Alela Diane ~ Red Light Company ~

SUNRISE ARENA
~ The Phenomenal Handclap Band ~

22.06.2009

BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music today announce details of their debut appearance at the Latitude festival in July. The Latitude festival is an eclectic blend of music, arts and comedy, and both networks will broadcast a selection of live programmes giving festival goers the chance to interact with key arts and culture presenters. With a focus on the music, Radio 2 and 6 Music join festival regular BBC Radio 4 at the four-day event from Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July in Southwold, Suffolk. 

Radio 4 is at Latitude for the fourth year with five shows featuring a mix of award-winning comedy and special commissioned programmes.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music BBC Radio 2 says “Taking Radio 2 and 6 Music to Latitude demonstrates the continued commitment to bringing the best of live music and events to our audiences. It is important to get out and connect with our listeners around the country and Latitude represents a great opportunity for this – the broad range of music and varied arts and culture elements lend themselves well to our audience and to coverage in our programming. In addition, Radio 2’s lead focus on the music will complement the Latitude output of Radio 4.”

Radio 2 kicks off the proceedings with Stuart Maconie broadcasting live from the festival on the Thursday night from 8pm. He’ll be interviewing topper Little Boots plus other big names as they arrive for the festival. Claudia Winkleman, who joined Radio 2 in last autumn, takes her weekly arts show on the road for the first time. She will be broadcasting live from the BBC Radio Arena on Friday night with an audience of 300 festival goers and lots of audience participation with her guests, including Latitude creator and director Melvin Benn.

On Friday night, Dermot O’Leary will record a special Radio 2 Introduces performance from burgeoning star Elviin, in the BBC Radio Arena with a live audience. This will then go out as part of his show on Saturday afternoon, along with chats and performances from some of the biggest and most interesting music names at the festival. Radio 2 Introduces is a regular part of Dermot’s show where he hand picks a hot new artist to feature on the programme and the Radio 2 playlist.

A special edition of The Great British Songbook Masterclass will be recorded on Saturday evening from the Literary Arena for broadcast as part of Janice Long’s show, (Monday 12.00am – 3.00am). A guest artist, to be announced at a later date, will play one of their songs and invite the audience to deconstruct the piece of music and lyrics and discuss its structure and influence. The audience will then be asked to reconstruct the song and perform it. Janice will also be having ‘campfire’ chats across the weekend with artists and musicians to be broadcast in her show in the early hours of Monday.

6 Music launches Latitude live on Friday with Steve Lamacq as he chats to live guests and plays hand picked performances. On Sunday a special edition of The Music Week is presented by Julie Cullen live from the site with Matt Everitt in the London studio featuring interviews from top festival names, all the music news and a look back over the four days of performance.

Radio 4 shows will be ticketed in advance and only available to Latitude Ticket Holders. Go HERE to book tickets.

BBC Radio 4 has five shows recording in front of festival audiences - a mix of old favourites and new specially commissioned output for Latitude. Festival early birds and comedy lovers can watch the award winning team of Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis, Marcus Brigstocke, Mitch Benn, Jon Holmes and Laura Shavin record the week's edition of the topical comedy The Now Show on Thursday night, which will broadcast on Friday 17. On Friday, Stories with Latitude! features a montage of stories written especially for Radio 4 at Latitude and read out loud by their authors; award wining novelist Matt Thorne, Emma Kennedy and Stephen K Amos. The programme will broadcast on Radio 4 the following week.

On Saturday Clive Anderson returns to Latitude with Loose Ends for a mix of live music, stand-up comedy and conversation. He will be joined by guests including comedian Seann Walsh and Janeane Garofalo. The show will broadcast later the same evening. Stuart Maconie (Saturday) and Vivienne Westwood (Sunday) share their favourite passages from literature, hand picked especially for you, in two recordings of With Great Pleasure.  Joining Vivienne Westwood to read her selection will be actor David Morrissey. [Broadcast date tbc]. And finally to finish off a busy day, the award winning comedian Adam Hills, hosts 4 In A Field featuring the best of the Festival's comedy including Stephen K Amos and Rob Rouse, recorded for broadcast the following Wednesday.

In addition BBC Radio 5 Live’s Gabby Logan brings her popular Sunday morning show live from the festival with her usual mix of topical chat, combined with a flavour of the festival, and a look at some of the stories of the weekend. Anarchic comedy sketch group Pappy's Fun Club will be dropping by with their take on a weekend at the festival, and comedienne Zoe Lyons will be casting her eye over the week’s events as News v Sport goes to Latitude.

bbc.co.uk/latitude will feature broadcast and line up information, feeding out to the respective sites of the networks. bbc.co.uk/radio2 will feature extensive content including pictures, videos, and exclusive content plus behind-the-scenes video with Claudia Winkleman and Dermot O'Leary. Claudia Winkleman will be Twittering her personal experience from the whole weekend here: http://twitter.com/ClaudiaWinkle and Radio 2 will be Twittering on behalf of the network as a whole here: http://twitter.com/BBC_Radio_2.

22.06.2009

All Radio 4 shows are ticketed in advance this year. 

Please click HERE to book your chance to see some of the country's best entertainment and comedy radio shows recorded at Latitude 09. 

Radio 4 tickets are available in advance to Latitude ticket holders only and will not be available on site. Those without tickets may queue for stand-by tickets, however there is no guarantee of admission. 

Festival early birds can watch the award-winning dream team of Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis, Marcus Brigstocke, Mitch Benn, Jon Holmes and Laura Shavin record this week’s edition of the topical comedy, The Now Show. 
(Thursday 19.00 - 20.00)

Stories written especially for Latitude are read aloud by their authors, including award wining novelist Matt Thorne, Emma Kennedy and Stephen K Amos in the appropriately named Stories with Latitude.
(Friday 12.30 - 13.45)

Loose Ends returns with live music, conversation and stand-up comedy from Seann Walsh and Janeane Garofalo, with Clive Anderson presiding.
(Saturday 11.00 - 12.00)

Stuart Maconie (Saturday) and Vivienne Westwood (Sunday) share their favourite passages from literature, hand picked especially for you, in two recordings of With Great Pleasure.  Joining Vivienne Westwood to read her selection will be actor David Morrissey.
(Saturday 13.45 - 14.45 and Sunday 13.00 - 14.00)

Award winning comedian Adam Hills hosts 4 In A Field with the best of the festival's comedy, including Stephen K Amos and Rob Rouse.
(Saturday 16.00 - 17.00)

All shows recorded at Latitude can be heard online at bbc.co.uk/radio4 on BBC iPlayer for a period of one week after transmission.

And under the Storytelling Tree BBC Radio Drama will be recording a 'chain story' with contributions from as many festival goers as possible. 'And Then…' gets you to pick up the tale where someone left off 'And then…' you pass it on.

To create a link in the chain come and find us and record your spontaneous instalment. From backstage, to back row, all are welcome. With storytellers great and small, who knows whose story you might pick up!

Hear the seamlessly edited complete stories later at www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk and listen out for your segment on-air on BBC Radio 7. (The Storytelling Tree, Saturday 11:00-18:00)

18.06.2009

FILM & MUSIC ARENA
~ ‘Age Of Stupid’ plus a Q&A with Franny Armstrong and Ed Miliband ~
~ Noah & The Whale present ‘The First Days Of Spring’ ~
~ Smoke Fairies ~

THE WATERFRONT STAGE
~ Hofesh Shechter ~ Swan Lake (Act One) ~
~ Freestyle Hip Hop from Psycho Stylez ~


LITERARY ARENA
~ Jake & Dinos Chapman ~
~ Sketchatron featuring The Penny Dreadfuls and Pappy's Fun Club ~

LITERARY SALON
~ Write To Play with Che Walker ~

COMEDY ARENA
~ Brendon Burns ~ Jamie Kilstein ~

THEATRE ARENA
~ Adriano Adewale ~Teenager of the Year ~

POETRY ARENA
~ The PeteBox ~

CABARET ARENA
~ Lucifire ~ Fat 45 ~The Penny Dreadfuls ~

PANDORA’S PLAYGROUND
~ Sadler’s Wells Dance Club ~
~ Scrabble Sunday ~ Seraph Id ~ Hide N’ Seek ~ Bootworks ~ Disco Shed ~

Tickets are on sale priced £150 for a weekend ticket with camping, and £60 for day tickets. Tickets are subject to booking fees.

BUY NOW

17.06.2009

Our friends at Punk Publishing have a new book out called 'COOL CAMPING GUIDE TO FESTIVALS' full of colourful photos and an unbiased insight into the best festivals in UK and Europe – and of course it features a review of Latitude! 

More than a listings book it is a perfect reference guide and makes be an ideal present for someone else.


The book is normally priced at £14.99 but the Cool Camping crew are offering you the chance to purchase a copy of the book for only £9.99.

Here's a link to the book in their shop

To take advantage of this offer, you will need to add the book to the shopping basket and go to checkout. At the check out, there's a box called Coupon Code, enter the following voucher code: LAT2009, then click Redeem Coupon underneath and the price will automatically drop to £9.99. The code is valid until 30th Sept 2009. 

For more info on The Cool Camping Guide to Festivals see www.punkpublishing.co.uk

12.06.2009

OBELISK ARENA
~ Phoenix ~ The Gaslight Anthem ~ The Rumble Strips ~
UNCUT ARENA
~ Mika (acoustic set) ~ Scott Matthews ~ The Duckworth Lewis Method ~ Emmy The Great ~
SUNRISE ARENA
~ Charlotte Hatherley ~
LAKE STAGE
~ Colorama ~ 


The pioneering, award-winning Latitude Festival returns to England’s Sunrise Coast for another spectacular edition. Taking place on 16th – 19th July, near Suffolk’s stunning seaside town of Southwold, organisers Festival Republic are promising Latitude will be the perfect British summer destination.  

Tickets are on sale priced £150 for a weekend ticket with camping, and £60 for day tickets. Tickets are subject to booking fees.

BUY NOW

09.06.2009

08.06.2009

One of the most important and innovative songwriters and musicians of our generation, Thom Yorke, will be playing a solo set on the Obelisk Arena at noon on Sunday. 

With this specially created time slot, there is no doubt Yorke will wow audiences with this exclusive and very rare solo performance.


As well as worldwide success and dominance with multi-platinum album selling band Radiohead, in 2006 Yorke released his first solo album, ‘The Eraser’, which received a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album.


Melvin Benn, Managing Director, Festival Republic says:
"There is nothing I can add that Thom Yorke’s confirmation doesn't already say. That it is a special one-off performance for Latitude only fills me with enormous pride at the statement it makes about the festival. I am overjoyed at the thought of it.”
 

Tickets for Latitude Festival are on sale, go here to buy yours.

05.06.2009

So Laura Dockrill's 'Ugly Shy Girl' was voted as this month's Book Club reading material.

You can submit reviews and the best will be chosen and published and will also win literary-based prizes.

If you would like to submit a review, and be in with a chance of winning a prize, we'll be accepting your book reviews via email to info@latitudefestival.co.uk

To read the blurb and to discuss the books on the forum go HERE

04.06.2009

Our Latitude shop has just a few pieces left from last year.

Event tshirts, zip up jumpers, tote bags, yoyos, fans, programmes, playing cards...

We'll have even more great pieces for you this year, but for now you can get into the festival spirit with these fab items.


Click here to go shopping...

04.06.2009

02.06.2009

UNCUT ARENA
~ Saint Etienne ~ The Temper Trap ~

SUNRISE ARENA
~ Kap Bambino ~

LITERARY ARENA
~ Frank Skinner ~
~ Grace Maxwell & Edwyn Collins ~
~ Punk Fiction with Cathi Unsworth, Nicholas Hogg, Janine Bullman, Salena Godden, Dev Hynes, Lee Bullman ~

FILM & MUSIC ARENA
~ Future Cinema Presents Black Cat White Cat with Taraf de Haidouks~
~ Noise Of Art presents ‘Love Bites – The Dance Of The Vampires ~
~ Vashti Bunyan: From Here to Before with Kieran Evans, Adem & Friends ~
~ Jeremy Deller ~ Jeremy Warmsley ~
~ London Short Film Festival ~
~ Night Of The Living Dead – 3D ~

COMEDY ARENA
~ Lee Mack ~Stephen Grant ~ Rob Rouse ~ John Gordillo ~ Kerry Godliman ~

CABARET ARENA
~ The Whoopee Club ~ Ima Doll ~ Fancy Chance ~ Ekat ~
~Beaux Belles ~ Russella ~ The Two Wrongies ~
~ Miss Lady G Luck ~ Simon Deville ~ Des O’Connor ~

01.06.2009

28.05.2009

To win a VIP evening for two at the National Theatre, including 2 top-price tickets, dinner and a personalised backstage tour answer the following question:  

Bertram and Helena are the central characters of The Eternal Not  and which other play, currently showing at the National?

To enter, email your name and contact number to marketing@nationaltheatre.org.uk with the subject line ‘Latitude’ by 30 June.

The Eternal Not will be showing at Latitude after it features at the National Theatre on 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd June at 5pm and 10th, 23th June at 11.30am

A new comedy by Lucinda Coxon, directed by Anthony Banks

Is it too much to ask of a tiny baby, to hold two grown-ups together? A young married couple await the arrival of their first child. He wants to disappear forever, she has a gift for patience – it’s little wonder the baby’s taking its time. A darkly comic, desperate pursuit of eternal bliss and a twisted take on Shakespeare’s original.

FREE • Book now • 020 7452 3000 • No booking fee

26.05.2009

Bringing together the worlds of fashion, art, music and film in an exciting and vibrant culture collision the House Of BlueEyes collective will be staging an incredible fashion show exclusively at Latitude Festival this year.

Using Latitude’s striking setting as the backdrop and performed over the festival’s beautiful lake, label creator Johnny BlueEyes together with his army of designers and artists will stage a magnificent showcase of an exquisite collection of garments and accessories accompanied by fantastic music and live performances.

Titled, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Faerie’, this will be a magical show of high fashion, loud music and stunning art. The fashion show including fierce catwalks and performance art, will feature fabulous designs and specially made special pieces to be premiered at the Festival. As always, music will play an integral part of the show and soundtracking the event will be a heart-pumping mixture of classic and modern rock ‘n’ roll, anything from Primal Scream to Iggy Pop with a few extra little surprises to keep the party going.

Taking inspiration by their Autumn/Winter 09 collection ‘Don’t Be Afraid Of The Darkness Within’ the clothes will embody the dark side of rock ‘n’ roll; vampires, night crawlers and horror films as well as the Rolling Stones’ classic ‘Sympathy For The Devil’.  Adding to the visual experience will be immense hair sculptures created by award-winning hair and make-up stylist Tamara Walsh who trained at the Royal Opera House. She will be making the glorious pieces in her studio in Paris and will transport them straight to the festival for the show.

As true believers of the idea that beauty lies within everything and indeed everyone, House Of BlueEyes are opening the doors to the fashion show and are offering the fantastic chance to take part in this incredible show. These 5 golden tickets will be for who anyone in the world who has ever harboured desires to strut their stuff down a catwalk, to be styled by world class hair and make-up artists and to wear beautiful haute couture. All that is required is your name, age, sex and a little story as to who you are and why you’d like to be in the show submitted to johnny@houseofblueeyes.com . No photos needed as the winners will be decided on the beauty within.  Together with his mum, Johnny BlueEyes will decide the winners. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people of all shapes and sizes, to feel a million dollars in fantastic outfits, mixing in the company of models, designers and even perhaps a few famous faces!

House Of BlueEyes are a unique collective of 10 artists, stylists, dressmakers and tailors all with their own specific talents, all pushing the boundaries of the restrictive worlds of fashion and art, embracing new ideas and new ideals. JohnnyBlueEyes is the figurehead at the very heart of this creative team. Inspired in equal parts by the Andy Warhol factory scene in 60’s/70’s New York and the punk revolution of the late 70’s, the House mixes fashion with music; designing and making outfits and costumes for a whole host of stars and emerging artists for fashion shoots, press shots and videos. Clients include Beth Ditto and Gossip, Scissor Sisters, Take That, Klaxons, Bishi and Mission District as well as CSS frontwoman Lovefoxx and her stylishly iconic catsuits. Launching the label in September of last year, Johnny BlueEyes blasted onto the scene with his first collection ‘GLAMDANDYCLOWN’. The show, hosted by Ana Matronic from Scissor Sisters featured Beth Ditto sporting a pink lamé all-in-one and Kate Moss’s first catwalk appearance in over four years.

This dynamic and vital creative powerhouse will undoubtedly produce another stunning show with cool clothes, famous faces and an infectious party spirit. The perfect addition to the festival weekend.

26.05.2009

OBELISK ARENA
~ Datarock ~

UNCUT ARENA 
~ Marnie Stern ~ iLiKETRAiNS ~
~ Wildbirds and Peacedrums ~

SUNRISE ARENA
~ 65 Days Of Static ~
~ Asaf Avidan and The Mojos ~

The open-air Obelisk Arena has been the stage for some epic performances over the past three years and the line up for Latitude 2009 will continue in this success. Lay out your picnic blanket, bask in the sunshine and get down to some of the best music around.

The impressive structure of the tented Uncut Arena houses a line-up of alternative, leftfield music; a hotbed of genre-spanning artists all offering something unique. This year will once again host a myriad of musical musts from the fields of folk, world, experimental, electronica, rock, indie and any other musical style you can think of. It’s all on offer at the Uncut Arena.

Take a stroll through Latitude’s fairytale woods with art exhibited within the trees and dappled sunlight shining through the leaves and you will stumble across the most exquisite space of all; the Sunrise Arena, home to tomorrow’s biggest stars. With a full schedule still to be announced, this cosy and cherished arena is the place to find the most exciting new talent. Discover the next big thing at Latitude’s stunning Sunrise Arena.

Elsewhere, the very best in film, theatre, comedy, literature, poetry, dance, art and cabaret will be pitching up at the fourth edition of Latitude Festival. LateNightTales will be presenting some fabulous live performances from an eclectic set of bands in the Film & Music Arena; Sadler’s Wells and the Royal Opera House will be showcasing stunning performances on The Waterfront Stage; Royal Shakespeare Company, The Bush, National Theatre, Paines Plough, and nabokov plus more will all be coming to the Theatre Arena along with the English Touring Theatre presenting Latitude’s first musical ‘Been So Long’. Also for the first time is the dynamic orchestral brilliance of Britten Sinfonia performing in Latitude’s outdoor spaces. The Literary Arena is packed full of top authors including Blake Morrison, Geoff Dyer and Robin Ince’s Book Club as well as workshops from The School Of Life and Guerilla Science; plus stellar poets Andrew Motion, Brian Patten, Jackie Kay and Simon Armitage will be in the Poetry Arena. The Cabaret Arena welcomes Zimbani, Deborah Frances-White, Jessica Delfino, Cardinal Burns and Watson and Oliver plus plenty more exciting performances to announce.

26.05.2009

22.05.2009

21.05.2009

To make sure you don't lose your valuables, Lockerhouse are offering lockers to weekend campers for just £15.

Lockerhouse’s Security Personal Items Lockers will hold small items such as wallets, passport, prescription medication and phones etc.  Plus they also have a 12v cigarette style power outlet for you to charge your phone, MP3 player or camera! You'll need to bring a car mobile phone charger for it it work.

The lockers are accessible and security managed 24 hrs a day. To book your personal locker, visit www.lockerhouse.co.uk/events.asp

15.05.2009

LITERARY ARENA
~ Vivienne Westwood ~ Sir Peter Blake ~
~ Patrick Neate ~ Hardeep Singh Kohli ~
~ If:book The Future Of The Book ~

IN THE WOODS
~ ‘Faeries’ An ROH2 commission by Will Tuckett ~

 FILM & MUSIC ARENA
~ Molly Nyman & Harry Escott ~

CABARET ARENA
~ Ida Barr ~ Miss Behave ~ Jonny Woo ~ Timberlina ~ David Mills ~
~ London Swing Dance Society ~
~ Dusty Limits ~ Kalki Hula Girl ~ Sarah Louise Young ~ Revealing Eve ~
~ Ward & White’s Karaoke Circus ~ Sounds Familiar Music Quiz ~ Musical Bingo ~

POETRY ARENA
~ Daljit Nagra ~ Aidan Moffat ~ Ventriloquist ~
~ Writers’ Centre Norwich – Kei Miller & Roger Robinson ~
~ Nathan Jones and Wave Machines ~

THE WATERFRONT STAGE
~ DanceEast presents Les Moutons ~
~ Riccardo Meneghini ~

OUTDOOR THEATRE
~ La Prima Donna ~

15.05.2009

We are looking for a team of Environmental Health Monitors to monitor sanitation on our behalf. These posts are particularly suitable, but not exclusive to students studying for qualifications in Environmental Studies or Environmental Health. Our Manager will be happy to sign off on any progress or appraisal logs if required.

You will be specifically responsible for reporting back on all sanitation issues to the Environmental Health Monitor Manager.

This might involve:
• Inspecting campsites / guest area / production areas for a build up of litter 
• Inspecting toilet blocks throughout the site to check that they have the necessary infrastructure ie signage, lighting etc 
• Inspecting toilet blocks to ensure that they have been cleaned and serviced and that there is no build up of litter
• Inspecting hand-washing facilities throughout the site to check that they are working and that there is no build up of litter 
• Inspecting water points to ensure that they are working, are free from litter and that the taps are not leaking

You are not expected to do anything other than report back on these issues regularly to enable the cleaning, plumbing and toilet contractors to prioritise their work load and to ensure that your Manager is kept fully briefed about sanitation issues at all times. You will gain free entry to the festival. 

You will need to:
• Be 18 or over
• Be available at 9am on Thursday 16th July onsite for a briefing 
• Work 3 x 8 hour shifts or 6 x 4 hour shifts (we are unable to allocate specific shifts but you can apply to swap any shift you are given via your Manager) The rest of the time you are free to enjoy the festival.
• Report in every two hours to your Manager with information or immediately in the case of any serious sanitation issue.
• Provide us with a returnable deposit cheque by post for £200 in advance. This will be cashed and then reimbursed once you have completed your shifts. 
• Also please bring along some photographic ID.

We will:
• Provide you with a thorough briefing
• Provide camping facilities in a separate area with toilets and hot showers
• Offer the opportunity for you to complete studies relevant to your course

If you are interested in applying to be an Environmental Health monitor, please email wmagee@festivalrepublic.com with your name, date of birth, address, next of kin name and contact details and home and mobile telephone number.

12.05.2009

                  OBELISK ARENA
~Patrick Wolf ~The Airborne Toxic Event ~
~ Lisa Hannigan ~ Amazing Baby ~
                ~ Wild Beasts ~

                  UNCUT ARENA
     ~ Chairlift ~ The Mummers ~
~ White Belt Yellow Tag ~ The Invisible ~

                 SUNRISE ARENA
~ !!! ~ Skint And Demoralised ~ 1990s ~ 
~Animal Kingdom ~ Black Joe Lewis 
                                                                      ~ Fight Like Apes ~
                                          ~ Kurran and the Wolfnotes ~ Juliette Commagere ~
THE LAKE STAGE
~ Bombay Bicycle Club ~ Little Comets ~ Casiokids ~
~ Marina and the Diamonds ~ Speech Debelle ~ Chew Lips ~
~ Django Django ~ Bishi ~ The Agitator ~ The Cheek ~ Not Squares ~

FILM & MUSIC ARENA
~ Mark Lamarr presents: T-99, Chas & Dave, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Prince Fatty ~
~ Birds Eye View presents Salome with Bishi, Neil Kaczor & Special Guest ~
~ Cape Farewell Project ~ Noise Of Art ~
~ Ditto ~ SonVer ~
~ Adam Buxton ~
~ Encounters Film Festival presents Tom Harper & Ivana Mackinnon~
~ Beautiful & The Dammed DJs ~ The Posters Came From The Walls ~

IN THE WOODS
~ The Scaremongers ~

12.05.2009

08.05.2009

The Children's Arena will be open for those in the Family Campsite from 9am and for those in standard campsites from 10.30am once the arena opens.


The area is as diverse as the rest of the festival, with books, art, music and theatre, heaps of participation and fun, from drama workshops to making your own pizza! 

Here we celebrate the creativity and skills of local children’s organisations plus our FAB folk will be around all day for general enquiries – the Family Assistance Bods! Bring tonnes of energy – we’ve got a lot to keep you busy…..
                                                    ~
Our friends from Greenpeace will run a not-for-profit cafe which will keep you fed and watered throughout the weekend.
                                                    ~
Suffolk Wildlife Trust have activities for budding Wildlife Explorers, with five daily sessions of pond dipping from our custom made pontoon, plus wildlife trails and special after-dark events on Friday & Saturday night; bring your torch and a sense of adventure!  
                                                    ~
The Utensils Puppet Show guides children through the process of making a pizza from scratch, from making the dough right through to baking it in a real wood fired oven.  Puppetry of the Pizza will delight kids and give them more confidence to venture into the kitchen.
                                                    ~
Pop into the Pixie Post Office where pixies from the Fairyland Trust have lovely postcards to colour in. Then you can buy a real stamp and post your card to a friend, telling them what you’ve been doing at Latitude!
                                                    ~
Off the Road Theatre brings you an interactive workshop, exploring the four elements - Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Fire is ablaze with love and cannot exist without precious Air. Water encroaches more and more of Earth's space, causing waves of anxiety. In a battle between the elements, who will come out on top? Join us in this exciting and fun packed session of games and performance to promote confidence through group play - building friendships and highlighting the importance of cooperation, while celebrating our differences. 
                                                    ~
From green coloured and fearless children to spooky black dogs and the sound of underwater bells, join local story-teller Colin Hynson daily for some traditional tales from Norfolk and Suffolk. Suitable for age 6+
                                                    ~
Twisted Tea Cups by Woolly Balloon is a multi-sensory, interactive performance based on  Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatters Tea Party. The children are guided through a fantastical, surreal journey of tea party mayhem!  Alice meets them at a wall of doors and helps them to dress for the party, before disappearing through the rabbit hole.  The Tea Party guests join the Tea Table and help Alice to solve riddles and mend clocks. 
                                                    ~
Alongside the performance  will be  twice-daily drop in craft workshops which are based on the story 

Catch up with your favourite characters from Alice in Wonderland for games, face painting and more. Their mobile Wonderland Tea Party will also sell tea & cake, with proceeds going to Cancer Research UK.
                                                    ~
The popular Nutmeg Puppet Company will perform “Apple Pip” more details on the show will come soon.
                                                    ~
‘Walk The Plank’ a Pirate Adventure from Laughing Lizard Theatre 
Ahoy me hearties! Ever fancied being a pirate? Here is your chance, Captain Ma’Larkey  is looking for new recruits for her ship The Leaky Tea Cup.  Join in the fun and undergo a ‘Pirate Makeover’ to become part of the pirate crew.  Make an eye patch, get a tattoo or even make a parrot for your shoulder, then learn some pirate songs and how to talk like a pirate.  With your transformation complete it’s time to hoist the main sail and leave our port searching for clues to help us find the Lost Treasure of Latitude.   But make sure you’re on your best behaviour or you  might have to walk the plank.
                                                    ~
Play in our gorgeous giant Wendy houses or have a nap on the giant red cushion.
                                                    ~
The Waveney Valley Woodcraft Folk run dozens of fantastic art & craft workshops daily from 9.30-6pm, from model making to clay play, makings masks, wings and dream catchers to painting flags and streamers. More details coming soon….
                                                    ~
Bin There Drummed That , a wheelie bin drumming band. Think African Drumming / Taiko / plus Stomp-ish choreographed routines using different sizes of bin, beating, kicking, dropping, flapping lids as well as using heavy duty drumsticks. Unbelievable fun, hellishly noisy and a great way to getting young people out of bed and involved in music making.  Bin There Drummed That have performed lustily at numerous carnivals and festivals in 2008…if you were at Latitude you might remember them leading the kid’s parade on Sunday afternoon! They’ll be holding workshops for teenagers, followed by short performances, three times daily.

Artlink is a registered Arts Award Centre offering young people an arts equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh awards.  www.suffolkartlink.org.uk
                                                    ~
The Sole Bay Youth Group are delighted to be back running the Parent & Baby Chill out Tent at Latitude again, with their enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas for babies and toddlers; free fruit, water and sun block for under 5s; tea and coffee for parents; baby changing facilities; microwave and feeding facilities.  In addition we will be offering a bedtime hour with baby bath facilities, a chill-out soundtrack and a bedtime story.
                                                    ~
Cambridge Community Circus (CCC) will be running twice daily workshops in circus skills, from juggling to uni-cycling. You can also make your own juggling balls to take away.

CCC promote, teach and perform Circus Skills in the Cambridge area,  run weekly workshops in juggling, uni-cycling, acrobatic balancing and aerial skills and also perform and teach all over the local area. CCC is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers: www.camcircus.org
                                                    ~
The Bird Book is an adventure across continents! Eric and Bill are searching for a rare bird of prey. Fly with them over the lake, along the river and down to the sea! Through desert sands, facing fierce storms and high seas, the boys a perilous journey that ends at a forest where they discover a magical secret. One Moment In Time Theatre use beautifully crafted puppets, dynamic storytelling and live music to bring to life the true story of the Osprey, one of Britain's rarest birds.
                                                    ~
Lose yourself in the joy of reading with our friends from Suffolk Libraries; they’ll be back with their lovely medieval tents.  In the baby & toddler tent you can play with a range of toys plus jump and jiggle to baby bounce and tot rock sessions.  In the other tent there will be books available for all ages of kids, read them there or take them to your tent.  All weekend there will be plenty going on, so come and join the fun.
                                                    ~
John Row, veteran storyteller, has travelled from Lapland to Texas delighting audiences with wonder and folk tales from around the world. A well known figure on the festival circuit, with his long white hair and top hat, he can be found anywhere on site telling tales to groups of festival goers of all ages.
                                                    ~
Two scientists, one Suitcase and hundreds of bizarre experiments = infinite possibilities! It could only be Science in a Suitcase! Mime, music & comedy are used to demonstrate eccentric discoveries and answer all your science questions.
                                                    ~
The Parade: Sunday 1.30 – 2.30pm
Join us as we round off the weekend with a big drum performance from Junk Funk followed by a wild and colourful parade into the arena with the masks, flags & banners made in the art workshops!!
                                                    ~
Finally watch this space for details of an exciting new music & art space for 13-17yr olds…
                                                    ~
Family Campsite Entertainment:
The Family Campsite has early access to the Children’s Area, from 9am each day. Please note, there is NO early access to the arena from the children’s area and we ask you to be respectful towards staff working to ensure this. All arena access points open at the same time.
                                                    ~
Leeds Metropolitan University Play-workers will host three campsite based activity sessions every day, with the first starting at 8am.
                                                    ~
The lovely team from Brambles Nursery in Southwold will be providing fun & gentle play for tiny tots and babies between 8am and midday every day…
                                                    ~
Latitude loves a good read, so to encourage all you budding bookworms we’ll have free children’s books in the children’s area and family campsite for you to take to your tent or read on the way home.

There will be a full schedule posted at Information in the Village Area, in the Family Campsite and in the Kids Area.

There are no crèche facilities in the area: children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian… it's much more fun to join in anyway!

08.05.2009

Listen to Intimate Conversations from Latitude ‘08 at myspace.com/thedialogueproject and check out their youtube video here

Take an early morning meander through Latitude’s woodland and you’ll discover Karl James and The Dialogue Project, a unique collective who create unforgettable audio experiences in inspiring spaces, bringing private conversations into the public domain.

In the last few months, Karl and his team have invited pairs of friends to come together to talk honestly and openly about their own friendship: to challenge assumptions, to share what it is that makes their relationship unique; and perhaps to reveal to each other and themselves a deeper understanding of what lies at the core of their particular friendship.

And at Latitude, a place where friendships are formed, shared and celebrated, you can place yourself between friends… and listen.

But for Between Friends, their show at this year’s festival, they’re doing something different  - they want you to be involved even before the festival starts. So if you have a friend you’d like to talk to and if you’d both be happy for  Karl to record and edit a conversation between you that might become part of Between Friends, they’d love to hear from you.

So – if you feel like you’d like to be part of Between Friends, send a brief description of the story of your friendship to: betweenfriends@thedialogueproject.com

07.05.2009

Welcome to one of the biggest and best comedy festivals in Britain positioned on the hill overlooking the luscious landscape of the Latitude site. The Comedy Arena is one of the biggest draws of the weekend; bursting at the seams as everyone sits back and enjoys the stellar stand up performances from the cream of the comedy circuit. A programme of the biggest names and the newest rising talent will ensure continuous laughter throughout the weekend.

Britain’s best female comic Jo Brand is the latest addition to the all-star Comedy line-up at Latitude Festival. She is joined by film-maker, presenter, writer and of course stand-up comic, Dave Gorman, world record holder for most jokes told in an hour (499) Tim Vine, Hollywood film and TV star, political activist, writer and stand-up comic Janeane Garofalo, British stand-up comic and comedy circuit favourite, Stephen K. Amos, Canadian comic, singer-songwriter and actor Phil Nichol, the versatile, musically talented Charlie Baker, award-winning funnyman Miles Jupp, youthful and witty, Matt Kirshen, and Brighton-based newcomer Seann Walsh.

These additions join an incredible comedy line-up that includes Ed Byrne, Mark Thomas, Adam Hills, Sean Lock, The Early Edition hosted by Marcus Brigstocke, Sean Hughes, Andrew Lawrence, Rufus Hound, Jon Richardson, Russell Kane, Shappi Khorsandi  and Jessica Delfino ~ plus many, many more.

07.05.2009

Latitude celebrates the art of the written word and all its many splendid facets at Suffolk’s now legendary library by the sea. Like all good books, the Literary Arena will transport you to the far reaches of your imagination guided by the storytelling talents of the very best authors and special guests scheduled for the weekend. Immerse yourself in Latitude’s literary world and learn, explore, laugh and discover at the literary event of the summer.

Comic, writer and political activist Jeremy Hardy is one of Britain’s most well-established ‘alternative’ stand-ups, unafraid to mix his socialist politics into his act who will be joined by British novelist and writer Jonathan Coe who will bring his acclaimed satirical work to Latitude. Coe has also written the narrative piece ‘Say Hi To The Rivers And The Mountains’ with rock innovators, The High Llamas, which will be shown in the Theatre Arena. 

Kate Williams has brought the past to life with her fantastic historical novels ‘Becoming Queen’ (2007)  and ‘England's Mistress: the Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton’ (2006). Williams will be joined in the Literary Arena by comedian, musician, artist, author and actor Keith Allen who will be performing his forthcoming spoken-word album,‘2 Pikeys On A Mini Cruise’. 

Latitude's Book Club choice last month, Rupert Thomson has been added to the Literary Arena along with Brian Chikwava, Emmanuel Jal and Bernie Katz.

The Literary Arena already boasts a fantastic line-up including: The School Of Life, Robin Ince’s Book Club, Blake Morrison, Geoff Dyer and Tibor Fischer.

07.05.2009

If you want to experience something entirely different then seek out Latitude’s quirky den of mischief and mayhem; the Cabaret Arena. This surreal bordello of surprises and spectacular stage shows is visually rich, beautiful and bizarre and will tempt and titillate in equal measure.

King of cabaret Lenny Beige has just been added to the Cabaret Arena along withTV Presenter Kirsten O’Brien,Bourgeois & Maurice will share their healing and easy listening powerpop neo-cabaret with us. 

Regulars on the London Sketch scene and appearances on BBC 3's comedy shuffle, Tommy and the Weeks have also been added and will be joined by Wanderlust, an interactive, theatrical show, plus Helix Dance, a dance-theatre company based in Cambridge.

The Cabaret Arena also welcomes Zimbani, Deborah Frances-White, Holly Walsh & Sophie Black, Jessica Delfino, Cardinal Burns and Watson and Oliver plus plenty more exciting performances to announce.

07.05.2009

30.04.2009

You can gain free entrance to this summer's Latitude Festival by joining our Campsite Assistant Teams (CATs). The CATs play a big part in creating a good atmosphere and helping all to get the most out of their festival - by being there and helping people you can help us achieve this!

The CAT role can include:

• Assisting festival goes with directions.
• Helping festival goers carry their belongings and pitch their tents.
• Reporting back to management re any problems e.g. a build-up of litter or faulty facilities.
• Working with Fire Safety, Medical and Security teams as required.

All CATs are provided with:

• A Crew Pass, Info Pack and Uniform.
• Camping facilities in a secure crew area.
• Access to the crew café, bar, toilets, and showers!
• A t-shirt you can keep to prove you worked at the festival!
• Time to enjoy the show – you only work 3 x 8 hr shifts (24 hrs in total throughout the festival) - all CAT staff and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the festival when off-shift!

To apply you will need to:

• Be 18 or over before the date of arrival below.
• Be available to arrive at the Festival site by 09:00 at the latest on Thursday 16th July 2009 – you're welcome to arrive from midday on Wednesday 15th. Please note the shifts are allocated on a first come first served basis.
• Be available for a briefing at either 21:00 Wednesday 15th or 10:00 Thursday 16th.
• Be available to work 3 x 8 hour shifts at any time between 13:00 Thursday 16th and 14:00 Monday 20th.
• Be prepared to wear a CAT uniform when on-shift (provided on site).
• Report in every two hours to your area supervisor with information, or immediately in the case of any problems.
• Supply photographic ID on arrival.
• Provide a refundable deposit - £200

For more information please visit www.HotBoxEvents.com

Or you can email info@hotboxevents.com

You can go straight to the online application here https://hotboxevents.paamapplication.co.uk/

29.04.2009

An eclectic line-up of alternative, leftfield music is on display at the Uncut Arena; a hotbed of genre-spanning artists all offering something unique:
~ Squeeze ~ Mew ~ Ladyhawke ~ Teitur ~ Hjaltalin ~

Discover the next big thing at Latitude’s stunning Sunrise Arena:
~ Little Boots ~ Band Of Skulls ~ Yes, Giantess ~ Sugar Crisis ~ Dear Reader ~ Catherine AD ~ Jonathan Jeremiah ~ Alan Pownall ~ First Aid Kit ~

Joining headliners Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds on the Obelisk Arena: ~ Sound Of Guns ~

An open air hub of rising stars handpicked by Radio 1 DJ and new music aficionado, Huw Stephens, The Lake Stage showcases the freshest new acts before they even register on the radar of the music press:
~ Golden Silvers ~ Slow Club ~ We Have Band ~ Post War Years ~ The XX ~ Pulled Apart By Horses ~ Joe Gideon & The Shark ~ Dag For Dag ~ 2 Hot 2 Sweat ~ The Late Greats ~

29.04.2009

You can insure your car, your luggage, your pets against loss: why not your dignity? suddenlossofdignity.com lets you do just that.

The idea is simple: you visit www.suddenlossofdignity.com and insure your dignity, with an insurance certificate to print out, all free of charge.  When the unmentionable happens, and you walk down the street with your skirt tucked into your knickers, you log back onto the site, tell your story and make your claim.  By the end of the day, you will have received your payout – the stories of two other shame faced individuals, to cheer you up and help you hold your head high once more.  It’s therapy for the youtube generation.

The Bush in association with Latitude Festival has commissioned five of London’s most talented new playwrights Zawe Ashton, James Graham, Joel Horwood, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Michelle Terry to turn our favourite stories (anonymously, of course) into our next audience-inspired theatrical summer romp, a show that will make you laugh, cry and cringe.

For all those of you who have dived into a swimming pool and come up for air without your bikini bottoms, pestered your ex with drink-and-dial or decided that your sister’s wedding was the ideal time to try your hand at breakdancing, www.suddenlossofdignity.com is the ideal collective therapy, and hilarious proof that even the very best of us get it wrong sometimes.

Come all ye undignified, you have nothing left to lose.

www.suddenlossofdignity.com

24.04.2009

White Lies are having an incredible year with the release of their debut album ‘To Lose My Life’. It topped the UK Album Chart in the first week of its release making them the first British band to top the charts this year. Following the album’s successes the band has gone on to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman, South by Southwest industry showcase and numerous tours across the world. 

The band opened the Obelisk Arena at last year’s Latitude Festival and the band will make a triumphant return with a higher billing at this year’s event.

Renowned rock stalwarts Pretenders need little introduction as their blend of punky new wave and pop melodies have meant chart success since their inception in the late seventies. The prolific song-writing talents of Chrissie Hynde has produced such classic hits as ‘Don’t Get Me Wrong’, ‘I’ll Stand By You’, ‘Brass In My Pocket’ and ‘Back On The Chain Gang’ plus countless others in a career that now spans over several decades and nine studio albums.  Expect their performance on the Obelisk Arena to bring together new material from their recent album ‘Break Up The Concrete’ and past hits for what will be in a very special Friday night set.

Hailing from London and Brighton, Flashguns are a young indie rock band inspired by the likes of Talking Heads and The Cure. Their talents have been quick to catch the eyes and ears of the record industry and after releasing a single on Rough Trade with former Suede guitarist, Bernard Butler on production duties, the band are now working on their eagerly awaited debut EP which is out in June. With a media buzz, much justified, catch these bright young things as they open the Obelisk Arena on Friday afternoon.

Irish upstarts The Chakras will be opening up the Arena on Saturday afternoon. Inspired by the early nineties psychedelic noises offered up by My Bloody Valentine and The Verve, The Chakras have an ethereal sound with soaring melodies and a pounding rhythm section. It’s a winning formula which has garnered critical acclaim. They are currently writing new material for their debut album due out later this year.

20.04.2009

A veteran figure in the burgeoning New York anti-folk scene, Regina Spektor will be bringing her quirky, highly eclectic yet beautifully personal music to Latitude’s Obelisk Arena on the Friday. Born and raised in Moscow she moved to the Bronx in New York as a child and set about developing her classical piano training whilst fusing it with the blues and jazz she was influenced by. Cutting her teeth in New York’s underground clubs it was fourth album ‘Begin To Hope’ in 2006 that brought her worldwide successes. Experimental, multi-instrumental, blues, punk, jazz are all drawn in to compliment her lyrical vignettes and produce music that’s original and compelling. This performance will be unmissable.

Regina joins Obelisk Arena headliners Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds plus the incredible Doves and Editors – with many more acts to be announced for the rest of the weekend. 

First to be announced on the Sunrise Arena is Massachusetts outfit Passion Pit. Making colourful and cerebral electronica, combining layers of sunny vocals, warped samples, glitchy beats and euphoric effects this infectious music is the work of lead vocalist and lynchpin Michael Angelakos. Together with his enlisted band members they create a party atmosphere fusing the indie experimentalism of MGMT, Empire Of The Sun and the hooks of Hot Chip to create instant-hit pop classics. See them on Saturday at this intimate stage before they launch off into the mainstream stratosphere.

15.04.2009

ditto is a collaborative approach to film, music and performance bringing artists, audience and public closer together. 

ditto stretches the experience of events – working in advance of the performance with on-line collaboration, blogs, viral communication and social networking culminating in a one-time live experience. 

ditto are inviting the Latitude audience to contribute short films, music, photography and writing based on the themes of Enchantment & Disenchantment. 

Go to www.ditto.tv for information on how to enter. The best entries will be included in the ditto performance on the Film & Music Arena on Sunday July 19th.

Life, what’s your contribution?

09.04.2009

      ~ LITERARY ARENA ~

Writer, presenter and comic Mark Steel ponders the large and looming questions hanging over the country in his bitingly funny book ‘What’s Going On’.Digging into the heart of Britain and the troubles it suffers today, Mark wonders why over a million people marching in London couldn't stop the war in Iraq and why supermarkets are killing the small town centres of Britain.

Tokyo based David Peace is famous for his Yorkshire Ripper inspired quartet of crime books ‘Red Riding’. His fictional portrayal of the miner’s strike ‘GB84’ was the winner of the prestigious James Tait Black Memorial Prize and his 2006 book ‘The Damned Utd’, a recreation of Brian Clough’s reign at Leeds United has just been released on film and was described by The Times as “probably the best book ever written about sport”.

Human Rights lawyer and activist Clive Stafford-Smith is known for his work in civil rights, defending death penalty cases in the USA and detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Awarded the OBE in 2000 for humanitarian services in the legal field and in 2005 the Gandhi International Peace Award, Stafford-Smith is also the Legal Director of the UK branch of the not-for-profit organisation Reprieve.

Journalist, author, script-writer, and producer Danny Wallace will be reading from his latest offering 'Friends Like These' which describes his finding of an old address book from his childhood. And he starts to wonder where his old friends are now… and whether, if he tracked them down - wherever they are - and turned up on the doorstep… what they’d say if he asked them whether they were coming out to play…

‘Political Animal’: Hosted by Andy Zaltzman & Guests will feature cutting-edge satire from an exciting mix of new and more established stand-up comics, an incisive, unpredictable, and richly entertaining show, offering political comedy which reaches far beyond the bounds of Westminster into the broader issues which shape the world today.

if.comedy award nominee Russell Kane brings his fantastic ‘Fakespeare’ show ‘The Lamentable Tragedies of Yates's Wine Lodge’ to the Literary Arena. Imagine if everyone in Southend-on-Sea spoke in Shakespearean English conversing in beautiful poetic language about drinking, sex and the chippy!

The bittersweet story of a young checkout girl's rise to fame, Supermarket Supermodel is prize-winning playwright Jim Cartwright's first foray into novel-writing. Bearing the hallmarks of his best-loved plays, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Road, this rollicking debut takes you on an intoxicating journey, brimming with life, heartbreak and humour.

On his first trip to Mexico, acclaimed travel writer Hugh Thomson was told by a stranger he could make money buying a car over the Texas border and taking it thousands of miles through the country to sell on the black market in Central America. What did it matter that he didn’t have a driving licence? He was eighteen years old, far from home and with time to kill. It sounded like the most sensible plan in the world….  A rock and roll adventure.

The Guardian have claimed Dan Rhodes as the "best new writer in Britain" and with his book 'Anthropology and A Hundred Other Stories' it's easy to see why. A series of 101 tales about girlfriends and the men who can't let them go. They cheat, they die, they leave, they name their daughters 'Lesbian', Rhodes has created a unique and macabre cycle of short musings on passion, woe, heartbreak and love in all of its many forms.

Discover why you might already have a mind-bending parasite lodged in your brain, listen to the music of the stars, and learn to shoot flames with custard powder in the chemistry kitchen. Demonstrations from Guerilla Science use art to inspire and educate, and explore the universe with performances over a three day programme including workshops on Quantum Mechanics, Anomalistic Psychology, The Evolution of Music, Mastering Memory and Beat Boxing.

                                           ~ POETRY ARENA ~

Renowned theatre, television and film actor and performer Roger Lloyd Pack will be reading T. S Eliot's masterpiece, The Waste Land, investigating the emotional and spiritual desert of the West, with cello accompaniment by Melissa Phelps.

Nathan Filer is a comic poet and film-maker with a penchant for playfully convoluted narratives and surgically struck rhyme. 

Luke Wright is co-programmer of Latitude's Stand-up Poetry Arena and its main host. This year he will be bringing a wealth of new talent including Yanny Mac, Kate Fox, Aoife Mannix, Baba Brinkman, Byron Vincent, Caroline Bird, Drew Taylor, Joe Hakim, John Osbourne, Martin Figura, Molly Naylor, Patrick Lappin, Rhian Edwards, Ruby And Her Whorses, Excentral Tempest, MC Angel, Tamsin Kendrick, Tim Turnbull, and Josh Idehen.

                                           ~ MUSIC & FILM ARENA ~

Throughout the year Manchester-based publishing house, Comma Press sets an on-going challenge to aspiring filmmakers to adapt and interpret short literary texts (published poems and short stories) with the full agreement of the writers as well as the freedom to do so in any style and without the authors’ interference. The results range from stop-frame animation to mockumentary, lens-less CG animation to experimental dramas. This event showcases the best of the first year’s work with a live reading by poet Gaia Holmes and a Q&A with award-winning filmmaker Kate Jessop.

What happens at the accidental meeting of inkblots, photocopies, cardboard, angle-poise lamps, the occasional table, video technology, a laptop and a banana box? A cast of hand-drawn marionettes magically brought to life by The Paper Cinema. Kieron Maguire creates the soundtrack to creator Nic Rawling's illustrations.

Tipped by critics to be the next big thing, enthralling, passionate and uncompromising performers, The Manic Chanteuse Patti Plinko and her Boy have been receiving rave 5 star reviews for their highly original, eccentric, seductive vocal delivery and satirical performance.

09.04.2009

07.04.2009

Last year’s School Of Night was sadly Ken Campbell’s last live School Of Night performance and it is in his spirit that it returns with original cast member Josh Darcy and a surprise new host for the hardcore, extreme improvisation show.

Look Left Look Right presents The Caravan.  Following months of research and interviews, fascinating memories and moving accounts are reproduced from those worst affected by the floods of 2007 in Britain.

Oxford’s centre of performing arts, Chipping Norton Theatre, will be presenting ‘PLAY’ which brings together some of the country’s most exciting new playwrights with an eclectic range of musicians, composers and people who make strange sounds with computers.

Performance band Leonard will be bringing their brilliant ‘Grass’ production to Latitude. Imagine the love child of John Cage and Johnny Rotten, they’re a band that use performance and event organisation to make environmental and social issues less abstract, less daunting and more human.

Dispel your disbelief and be prepared to be whipped up into fantasy frenzy when The Grandees bring The Box Of Cricks to Latitude.

Courtesy of Latitude’s local theatre company Mouth To Mouth, Artistic Director James Holloway brings The Taming Of The Shrew to life at Latitude.
Shortlisted for the Oxford Samuel Beckett Award last year, physical theatre ensemble Tangled Feet bring their unique show ‘Home’ to Latitude.

Drawn to plays that have an immediacy and relevance today, they tell stories that need to be told, of the voices that need to be heard. Box of Tricks presents ‘The Captain of the School Football Team’ by Kenneth Emson, a new one-act play specially developed for Latitude.

‘Cricket Bats Unite’ is a theatrical comedy play by a group called the Time Cats written by Tim Price and starring Sophie Wu and Emily Beecham. It’s a sort of female Mighty Boosh doing a political satire with a special appearance by some cricket bats.

The Dialogue Project actively encourages free-flowing words and thoughts bringing private conversations into the public domain and this year we will be talking about FRIENDSHIP.

07.04.2009

Treat yourself to the Yurtel experience at Latitude this year.
 
The price includes a double / twin Yurtel room for 4 nights, Thursday to Sunday. Our spacious 14ft yurts come carpeted with a king size / twin bed and a real mattress, sumptuous duvet and white Egyptian cotton linen, hanging clothes storage, bedside table & lamp, central light on a switch 13A plug socket, towels and miniature toiletries, chocolates on your pillow, flowers at your bed side,  and of course, the magical experience of sleeping in a yurt!
 
On arrival you will be given a Yurtel wristband allowing you exclusive use of our very own luxury toilet trailer. 

Yurtel guests will recieve complimentary coffee and tea at the Yurtel cafe.

Celebrating a special event with friends? Make it a memorable occasion at Latitude 2009. Treat yourselves to our spacious 24ft Yurtel room. The MASTER GROUP SUITE can sleep up to 15 guests!

Click Here to book your Fabulious Yurtel Room

03.04.2009

01.04.2009

Everyone on site must wear a wristband, and if yours is damaged or lost you may not be able to enter the arena and/or may be required to leave the site. 

1.  Ensure your wristband is secure.  The clasp should be firmly in place and not slipping up or down.  The wristband must not be loose so check it cannot slip over your wrist.

2. Do not tamper with your wristband in any way.  The wristband often has loose ends which many are tempted to cut or burn off.  Do not do this.  If the ends are tampered with it increases the likelihood of losing your wristband as the ends may fray and/or can slip out of the clasp more easily.  Most wristbands have a warning which says “void if removed” and the promoter has the right to refuse entry if a wristband has been tampered with.

3. Do not tie knots or add anything to your wristband.  All bands are checked each time you enter the arena and at various checkpoints around the site.  Knots, plasters, tape etc. on your band will have to be removed to check the band properly and this will cause delays to you and others at the entrance.  Some people may be sensitive to the metal on some clasps.  If this is the case, do not put tape on the wristband, but protect your skin with hypoallergenic tape instead.

4. Keep your wristband safe.  Even if a wristband appears secure it may still be lost or stolen especially if you get involved in lively crowd activity, “moshing” etc.  The best way to keep your wristband safe, and to prevent the loose ends snagging or annoying you, is to wear an elasticated/towelling sweatband over the top or a long sleeved top with elasticated cuffs.  This way you will keep it safe but you will still be able to show it at checkpoints easily.

5. What if you have a problem?  As soon as you realise you have a problem, lost, damaged band etc. you must get help.  If you are outside the arena, go to the nearest wristband exchanges tent where someone will help and advise you.  When you get to the wristband exchange look for, and ask for, the Gate manager.  If you are inside the arena, do not leave, go to the arena entrance and, without leaving the arena, ask for the supervisor who will be able to help.

6.  Wristbands remain the property of Festival Republic until 12pm Bank  Monday 30th August.

28.03.2009

Festival Republic has formed a partnership with viagogo making viagogo the official ticket resale partner of Latitude.

- viagogo is not a primary ticket seller.

 - viagogo allows customers to buy and sell tickets in a secure way and GUARANTEES customers who buy will get their tickets, and customers who sell will get paid.

- Customers should not buy from unauthorised agents or other ticket exchanges as they risk being defrauded and not getting their tickets.

24.03.2009

Children aged 12 or under will be eligible for free day tickets for Latitude Festival 2009 when accompanied by a ticket holding adult. 

When purchasing your standard tickets you must select the number of children (aged between 5-12) you are bringing. This is for our numbers and so we can arrange for sufficient facilities.  

For all agents other than See Tickets please ask the customer to register for their free child ticket by emailing their name, Address, Number of Tickets and either their booking reference or ticket number (for walk in outlets) to childticket@festivalrepublic.com .

For further information please visit www.latitudefestival.co.uk
Parents may be asked to provide ID with proof of age if the child appears to be over 13 but holding a Child ticket.


Latitude Festival will contain acts unsuitable for children. Where it is possible to classify a scripted performance or film by age, this will be noted on signage outside the tent. The Cabaret Tent will contain nudity. The Comedy Tent will contain swearing. Other stages may feature material not suitable for children that we are unable to predict and classify due to the nature of live performance.

24.03.2009

Imagine not lugging tents and camping gear around for hours until you find a spot to pitch. No struggling to put up a tent in the dark. No calling for your mates across a pitch black campsite.  Tangerine Fields is what you’re dreaming of.  And it’s here at the Latitude Festival 2009.

Tangerine Fields have ready-pitched and fully equipped tents for hire.  All you have to do is book and turn up.  Tents are available in 2, 4 and 6 man sizes. Better still, book with your friends and we’ll make sure you’re all camped together.

Fancy something a little different? At Latitude you also have the option of booking your group into one of beautiful tipis or cosy squrts.

And for that added bit of luxury and piece of mind, we have our own toilets and showers in a secure area with 24 hour stewarding.

Visit www.tangerinefields.co.uk for more information and bookings.

24.03.2009

Set up in a bespoke village area (with security and private facilities/services) the ‘podpads’ offer that touch of luxury and style whilst at the same time taking away all the hassles of carrying, erecting and breaking down your camp when you’re there. It is the future of alternative accommodation for the discerning Festival-goerYour own little hobbit-house built from weatherproof plywood all ready and furnished for your arrival.

Your 'podpad' is situated in a secure area with 24hr stewards.

Your ‘podpad’ comes decorated and with a solid floor, fitted carpet, shelving, interior strip-light and additional 12v power socket, a vanity mirror and a lock on the front door. Single, double or twin beds (with airbeds) are standard for increased comfort, so creating useful storage space underneath. Three sliding tinted windows with curtains provide for ventilation and light, allowing you to look out whilst restricting vision in.

Eco-friendly, the ‘podpads’’ are solar-powered by the fabulous iconic sunflower solar panels.

‘Podpads’ are weatherproof, relatively soundproof, secure, safe and cosy.

For more info and booking online, visit www.podpads.com

[This accommodation package does not include a weekend camping ticket - one of which must have been previously bought by each occupant of the Podpad]

24.03.2009

23.03.2009

Tickets are on sale for the fourth edition of Latitude Festival.

Pet Shop Boys (Fri), Grace Jones (Sat),and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Sun) are headlining the festival.

There are a huge number of arts arenas acts confirmed already!
Go here to check them out

19.03.2009

17.03.2009

This scheme and the facilities it relates to are not open to customers with temporary conditions such as broken legs, pregnant customers etc. There are medical and welfare facilities on site for all customers, but use of the disabled facilities and campsite are strictly regulated.

Via our 2-for-1 scheme, we provide disabled ticket holders who require a full time assistant with a free ticket for their PA. To apply:

• Purchase your own ticket as normal
• Complete the application form and attach a copy of your most recent DLA letter and a self-addressed envelope (minimum size A5)
• Send them by post to the following address, to reach us by the strict closing date of 19th June 2009

Disabled Ticket Enquiry - LATITUDE
Festival Republic
35 Bow Street
London WC2E 7AU

Click here to read Latitude information

Application forms for Latitude must be received at our office by Friday 19th June 2009.

Click here for the application form

02.03.2009

Imagine no lugging tents and camping gear. No struggling to put up a tent in the dark. No calling for your mates across a pitch black campsite.
Tangerine Fields is what you’re dreaming of.  And it’s here at Latitude 2009.

We’ve got Ready-pitched and fully equipped tents for hire.  All you have to do is book  and turn up.  Tents are available in 2, 4 and 6 man sizes. 
Better still, book with your friends and we’ll make sure you’re all camped  together.  

Visit www.tangerinefields.co.uk for more information and bookings.

09.02.2009

28.10.2008

This places the theatre programme at Latitude up there with the great and the good of the theatre and performing arts world.

The TMA Theatre and Management Awards celebrate the very best in British theatre, opera and dance. These unique awards recognise the achievements of artists and companies based throughout the United Kingdom. 

The awards champion the excellence and diversity of artistic activity and the high standard of professional, specialist work which contributes to and supports the success of the performing arts.

The Theatre Awards honour individual creative excellence and collaborative artistic effort in performance and production and applaud the outstanding work seen in regional theatres each year: work which contributes so much to the vibrant cultural life of theatre.