13 July 2017 (gig)
17 July 2017
Returning for the 12th year, Latitude Festival takes to Henham Park for another year of luminous sheep, enchanted forests and the most eclectic festival line up of this year. Stating that Latitude’s musical bill is broad is an understatement, catching the likes of Katherine Jenkins on the waterfront before electronic dance rock band Otzeki are throwing themselves into the middle of a dance circle at the Lake Stage. With something for everyone, Latitude 2017 is right when they say they provide “the biggest offering of music, theatre, dance, film, cabaret and literature.”
The real test at Latitude and for many of us festival goers was to work out your festival schedule. With over 10 music stages, it was clear from day one that you had to plan everything to the hour, making almost impossible choices like having to pick between Temples, Fleet Foxes and Fatboy Slim. However the Friday night was an easy decision, with Goldfrapp taking to the main Obelisk Arena in dazzlingly bright red leather trousers and matching heeled boots. Performing all the classics, Goldfrapp had the crowd, no matter what age, in the palm of their hand.
As the older generation trudged out of the arena, the thousand of teenagers flocked to the barrier to prepare themselves for The 1975’s final performance of ‘I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It’.
The 1975’s iconic visuals, Matt Healy’s fascinating persona and their anthems blasting, the indie quartet not only brought their critically acclaimed album to an unforgettable end but they performed their first ever festival headline slot as if they do it every day. As the Friday night came to a close, Will Young’s Summer Jazz Session filled the fields with a cover of ‘Bootylicious’, the most interesting lullaby to date.
Saturday’s musical line up was mainly shaped by the folk rockers Mumford and Sons and promotions company Gentlemen of the Road, with the schedule consisting of a handful of emerging artist who the Mumfords have discovered on their musical journey. Of these was the English acoustic singer-songwriter Lucy Rose, who touched the hearts all the audience. Before performing ‘Shiver’ Lucy stated she felt acoustic music didn’t suit the festival atmosphere but after the track, seeing the audience erupt, she immediately knew it was a new crowd favourite.
After organising the Saturday line up, it was only fair Mumford and Sons got the stage time they deserved. With the crowd ranging from drunken Grandparents to newborns being pulled around in trailers draped in fairy lights, the Mumfords had every member of the crowd dancing to their sing-along classics. Joining them towards the end of their 90 minute set was Maggie Rogers, Lucy Rose and Leon Bridges to cover ‘I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends’. The party continued into the BBC Music Stage with Jack Garratt hosting an intimate but packed bassline heavy evening.
Sunday came around too quickly but after two full days of non-stop music, comedy and theatre, it appeared everyone was just about ready for their own bed but not before catching artist to watch Loyle Carner and legendary English DJ Fatboy Slim.
The only festival where you can witness a middle aged women raving in a forest with a Waitrose bag in hand, Latitude Festival’s 12th year running was a hit.
