News

Latitude set to rock Norfolk this weekend

• 11th Jul 2011

Latitude is now just 4 days away, and with the weather improving, what better way would you want to spend your weekend?! Returning for it’s sixth edition in Norfolk, this festival really has pulled out all the stops to make sure that it is, as their slogan says, 'more than just a music festival'. The music line up for this years event is outstanding, with many great names and hotly tipped bands, as well as a large array of equally well known and lesser known poets, actors, comedians and other performers. Headlining 2011’s weekend are dad favourites Suede, chart favourites The National and mum favourite Paolo Nutini.

Dubbed Glastonbury’s alternative younger brother, Latitude has become a highlight of the festival circuit renowned for it’s attention to detail and unique boutique atmosphere, and the line up this year just proves this. The 2011 line up features ethereal bands like past performers Sigur Ros or Elbow, with Bright Eyes, Foals and Alexei Sayle all making an appearance. But, whether it's surprise guests in the woods keeping handfuls of festival-goers in awe or a poet's turn of phrase making a punter chortle, Latitude is a rich tapestry of joyous art for all ages.

The Sunday lunchtime special act is always a hugely anticipated slot. In previous years acts to play the special guest noon set have been Joanna Newsom, Thom Yorke and most recently Tom Jones – some big names setting the bar high. Latitude even launched a competition this year in which whoever correctly guessed the name of the 2011 act to fill this prestigious slot would win tickets to see them live in concert before the festival. This hype had high-hoped fans pitching names such as Beck, Fleet Foxes, Loudon Wainwright III and PJ Harvey, to name a few. When the announcement came for the generally unknown Scala & Kolacny Brothers, a Belgian all girls cover choir conducted by the siblings, there was what can only be described as disappointment, or at least disenchantment that some super big or up and coming band were not there to fill the spot.

However, Latitude redeems itself with acts further down the bill from all arenas, as it always does. My Morning Jacket's psychedelic rock will support Nutini on Saturday night; Bright Eyes is a name that has been a long time coming for Latitude. and Edwyn Collins, best known for the track A Girl Like You, is a perfect addition for the family festival and a rare pleasure.

Headlining the smaller stage – The Word Arena, this year is indie sensation Bombay Bicycle Club, Oxford eclecto-rockers Foals and the experimental Eels. Acts also playing The Word Arena across the weekend include up and coming Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow, post-punk heroes Echo & The Bunnymen, New Zealand pop sensations The Naked & Famous and many more.

The Lake Stage is a great place to see some great new acts play an to an intimate sized audience before they erupt into fame. Previous acts to have played here include Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Blood Red Shoes and Bombay Bicycle Club. An act that promises to be a very special inclusion on the stage this year is young Londoner James Blake, whose unique blend of dubstep and dreamwave has been complimented by Paul Simon himself.

But it’s not just the established acts that are set to set Suffolk alight – there’s also a wealth of new Latitude-friendly talent lined up. With everyone from Anna Calvi and James Blake to Villagers and The Vaccines, Latitude’s bill hosts the who’s who of what’s fresh and exciting in 2011. Also playing across the music arenas over the weekend are: Stand and Deliver! – Adam Ant, Gold Panda, Jenny and Johnny, Lykke Li, The Leisure Society, They Might Be Giants, KT Tunstall, Crystal Fighters and many more.

More than just a music festival, ticket-holders can visit the ever popular Comedy Arena for sets from Omid Djalili, Mark Watson and Alan Carr, the Film Arena for a Q&A with Voldemort himself- Ralph Fiennes, the Poetry Tent for readings from Simon Armitage or the Theatre Tent for performances from brilliant groups such as Propellor, to name but a few acts. The Cabaret Theatre, Waterfront Stage and Literary Tent provide further entertainment outlets throughout the weekend with DJ sets in the woods for night time partying.

The bit I’m most looking forward to? Aside from the great acts, it has to be the notorious coloured sheep.

For tickets and more information, visit link.