18 July 2019 (gig)
23 July 2019
Latitude festival is on track – Three days, 6 music arenas, a capacity of over 35,000 people and growing – Throw into the mix, its annual, grazing pink sheep, an eclectic mix of pop-ups, gluten free, family friendly vibe, all set in enchanted woodlands and it thrives.
Cherry picking the highlights for this vast festival, then it would include The Stereophonics, Lana Del Ray and George Ezra who were among the star acts to headline Latitude 2019.
Stereophonics as stand-ins for Snow Patrol led an impressive set with their catalogue of hits. Blasts of nostalgia and heavy guitar hooks sounded out as ‘C’est La Vie’, ‘All in One Night’ and ‘Have a Nice Day’ tracks packed the Obelisk Arena with a sea of slightly soggy but over enthused fans. Frontman Kelly Jones gave ‘Dakota’ over to the synth workings sending the hyped up crowd into overdrive.
Taking the festive by storm or post storm – Sunday’s main stage line up invited last day revellers to hike up the vibe, as Pale Waves and Cat Power whip up the crowd before the quintessential enigma that is Lana Del Ray took on her set.
Del Ray bought her quirky NY style showcasing her talents with her opening track ‘Born to Die’, hit tracks then grabbed the crowd’s attention – ‘Young and Beautiful’ and ‘White Mustang’ among them, as Del Ray grabbed a break to socialise with fans off stage then a rejoined a slightly blasé crowd who switched back on as she sauntered among a tropical set for her sultry take on ‘Summertime Sadness’.
Raising the roof on the BBC sounds stage were feel-good UK indie band, The Magic Gang. Boundless energetic tracks under the Big Top got the crowds hooked as the Brighton based four piece band belted out up tempo hits ‘Getting Along’, ‘Oh Saki’ and ‘Take Care’.
Grace Carter took on her smooth vocal duties with poise and presence as her pop ballad ‘Why Her Not Me’ held the Latitude crowd and her empowering soulful single ‘Heal Me’ was a melodic debut showing a vulnerability that Carter performed with strength.
Late night musical zeal was found from funk, jazz trio The Comet, distinctive techno set from Skee Mask and the Disco Shed which swept the crowds into a fury of the hut rave. Latitude got its edge….
