Rock and Pop: Preview - LATITUDE FESTIVAL 2010 (July 15-18)
Published: 08 July 2010
by VICKY HINTON
DEEP into the festival season, here’s the one the mellow people are waiting for.
The coloured sheep are out, which means it’s time for Latitude, Suffolk’s third biggest export (after Adnam’s and The Darkness).
Celebrating its fifth year, Latitude (July 15-18) boasts its biggest line-up to date, with Florence & the Machine, Vampire Weekend, Belle and Sebastian and The National headlining.
Representation from Camden is strong, with acapella swing trio The La De Dahs, 22-year-old singer-songwriter Joei Supernova, comedian Joe Bor, Perennial Theatre Company featuring Valentina Morelli, Sheara Abrahams from Eyebrow Productions directing some outdoor theatre and acclaimed playwright Mark Ravenhill all flogging their wares.
And favourites The Maccabees, Laura Marling, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Jonsi are all there somewhere.
But, as Latitude’s organisers say “it’s more than just a music festival”.
From comedy to poetry to cabaret to theatre there is a tent to accommodate every desire.
And if the sun is shining, there is a host of small outdoor venues too – as well as the usual festival quirks.
A masked ball in the heart of the woods? You got it. Punting on the lake? Check.
And to celebrate its fifth year the festival launches the Latitude Contemporary Art Exhibition, celebrating its devotion to the arts and displaying the work of contemporary artists, six of whom are to be especially commissioned, in a stunning woodland setting.
The new LCA Award of £10,000 will be presented to one of the artists providing new work for the exhibition, chosen by the LCA panel of judges.
What with this, a champagne bar, Radio 4 tent and ballet by sunset, Latitude is certainly a very different beast to the Reading or V festivals. Easy to get around, family friendly, and offering a great line-up, this is a festival not to be missed.