Field Day, held in East London’s Victoria Park and now in its eighth year, is a festival that always caters to a wide range of music tastes. This is arguably what puts it ahead of its rivals and cements its status as one of, if not, the best London music festivals of its kind. Saturday’s line up leant slightly towards the electronic but did not fail in providing ticket holders with a first class choice of acts that led to the day selling out.
London’s Benjamin Garrett, who goes by the stage name Fryars, attracted an impressive and attentive crowd during his mid-afternoon set at the Shacklewell Arms stage. A firm favourite with music critics, Fryars set the day’s bar high with his piano pop melodies and sweet, meaningful vocals. Starting his set off slow with tracks including a rather sombre ‘On Your Own’, Fryars finished on a high with ‘Cool Like Me’ – an upbeat track reminiscent of Daft Punk which was the main highlight of the set. It may be true that Fryars sounds better on record and looks like a hipster but the set did not feel out of place on the festival bill.
Photos by Carolina Faruolo
As soon as Kindness hit the stage albeit a bit late, it was clear the crowd were in for a treat, as the whole band seemed in very high spirits. The brainchild of Brit Adam Bainbridge, Kindness were no strangers to the worldwide music scene having played everywhere from South by Southwest (SXSW) in Texas to the Sydney Opera House. What was great about this band was there was no hierarchy – each member of the group had their time to shine. We had impressive melodic vocal solos from the chirpy backing singers, various co-ordinated dance moves and a lot of tambourine shaking. There was even a guest performance and a funk inspired cover of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’, which got the whole crowd going. With the qualities of both Jungle and Primal Scream, it was an impressive set that would no doubt keep you grooving. Kindness were definitely the highlight set of the day and very much screamed funk and soul soundtrack of summer.
Scottish art-rock favourite’s Django Django used their Field Day set to play tracks from their recently released new album ‘Born Under Saturn’ which received a great response from the crowd. The track ‘Reflection’ was a particular crowd pleaser.
A sneak peek into the packed Crack Magazine tent uncovers electronica favourite Chet Faker performing a cover of Backstreet’s ‘No Diggity’ for which the crowd go wild.
One of the most hyped artists of this year, FKA Twigs was unapologetically late to start her set at the Crack Magazine stage. It seemed that the crowd forgave all as she appeared, engulfed in mountains of smoke and began flirting with the audience. Almost ethereal in her presence, it seemed that the crowd were admiring her beauty more than admiring her music and this seemed to translate into a somewhat disconnected performance as she tried to keep the mystery alive. The acoustics in the tent were not great but FKA Twigs’s trip hop beats and whispery vocals still managed to mesmerise the overflowing crowd ready in time for Caribou’s headline set.
Photos by Carolina Faruolo
It may be surprising to some that Caribou headlined Field Day Saturday but Canadian Dan Snaith’s band has established a huge cult following since its inception in 2005. The career spanning set produced not only the best of the electronic and the psychedelic but also included a spectacular visual display, which truly secured their status as an impressive headline act. Highlights included the lead single from 2010 Album ‘Swim’ – ‘Odessa’ and ‘Our Love’.
Latitude today announces the line-up for their 10th Edition which takes place Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th July 2015 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk.
Ten years ago Latitude Festival creator Melvin Benn set out to rewrite the festival rulebook, showing that music lovers could also be culture lovers, by creating the UK’s first multi arts boutique festival set out to challenge the festival status quo
First to headline Latitude’s Obelisk Arenaon Friday night is a band close to Latitude’s heart; Mercury Prize-winning art-rockers alt-J. Having delivered outstanding sets on smaller Latitude stages over the years, 2015’s triumphant return promises to be a special moment for all who have witnessed their incredible Latitude journey. With a recent sold out arena tour and two critically acclaimed albums, the Leeds trio will no doubt give the Latitude audience a stunning set.
Portishead will give a rare UK appearance as they top the bill on Saturday. Emerging in 1994 with landmark album Dummy, Portishead have remained adventurous and uncompromising throughout their 20-year career. Compelling, provoking and moving; this will be an unmissable performance.
Closing Latitude this year is an outfit fronted by one of Britain’s most loved musical figures; Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Song-writing pioneer and out-spoken cultural icon, Gallagher’s relevance has never faltered and Latitude is delighted to welcome him and his latest band to their 10th anniversary Edition. Performing tracks from the recent critically acclaimed album Chasing Yesterday (which Gallagher produced as well as wrote), plus plenty of classic sing-along Oasis tracks, this will be a closing show to be remembered.
Quotes from headliners:
"We are hugely excited to return to Latitude for the third time. Playing there has always been so memorable. Latitude has always supported us, and to go from playing the smaller stages to this means it will be a night of celebration."
alt-J
“I've been to Latitude before as a festival goer and really enjoyed it I think the effort they put into their whole programming – music, comedy and film – is what makes it a great festival to be part of. And I'm really looking forward to it.” Geoff Barrow from Portishead
“I love the vibe at Latitude and the location. Good forward thinking programming as well, I played a couple of years ago in the cinema tent with a silent film project I was doing and it was a really good experience…looking forward to this one very much.” Adrian Utley from Portishead
“Well not only have I never played at Latitude before, but I’ve never even been there, ever. So yes, I’m really looking forward to headlining the Festival on July 19th” Noel Gallagher
Other special appearances on the Obelisk Arena will include a selection of some of today’s most exciting and respected British artists; we start off by welcoming Nicky Wire back to Latitude ten years down the line with the legendary Manic Street Preachers who will be performing a selection of loved tracks from their varied and extraordinary career, Canadian electronica-maestro Caribou, electronic auteur James Blake will return for a third time, and both soul sensation Lianne La Havas and folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling for a second and all with new albums to share. Festival favourites, Wild Beasts return to share their latest critically acclaimed album with us and we also welcome the soulful Mancunian JP Cooper to Henham Park for the first time.
Gracing us from all corners of the globe are four time Grammy award nominee Nigerian musician Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, transfixing Swedish singer-songwriter and Latitude favourite José González, American soul singer Benjamin Brooker, blues veteran Seasick Steve, and soul veteran Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens will be bringing us her Daptone released gospel music.
This year the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage will host even more exciting musical treats including headline sets from three accomplished British acts; top of the bill on Friday is pioneering sonic technician Jon Hopkins, platinum selling rock band The Vaccines will headline on Saturday, and a festival exclusive show from SBTRKT who will close the stage on Sunday night with his soulful and textured take on electronic music preceded by the highly acclaimed live show from La Roux.
Other acts set to play on the coveted BBC Radio 6 Music Stage include; Catfish And The Bottlemen who have risen up through the Latitude stages, all-female punk rockers Savages, acclaimed alternative pop group Django Django, London-based pseudonymous musical duo Public Service Broadcasting and Americana four piece The Districts. With forty albums under his belt King Creosote is back to perform songs from an extensive career and has previously graced both the Poetry Arena and iArena at Latitude, also announced today is American musician and legend The Thurston Moore Band and two-piece grunge band Drenge.
Esteemed artist Mark Kozelek brings Sun Kil Moon to Latitude, also announced are Years & Years with their eccentric blend of R&B and 90’s house, and Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers returning for round three, South London’s Kwabs, alternative rock group Wolf Alice, and BBC Sound Poller SOAK is also on the bill as well as exclusive performances from Toro Y Moi and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
Announced acts for the i Arena include one of electronic music’s most renowned talents, Warp Records cult artist Clark who headlines Saturday. Joining the festival to headline Sunday are London based musical duo Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell otherwise known as The 2 Bears. Also announced; the unique and the distinctive Adult Jazz, hot new talent Jack Garratt, multi-instrumentalist DM Stith, blues rock experimentalist Duke Garwood hugely talented singer songwriter Shura, the incredibly refreshing indie rockers Gengahr, Texan gospel and soul songster Leon Bridges and folk-pop star Marika Hackman. .
Joining the eclectic line-up are; Icelandic ambient techno duo Kiasmos, hotly-tipped twin sister musical duo Ibeyi, post-punk indie rock band The Twilight Sad, captivating singer Nadine Shah, soul powerhouse Curtis Harding, Norwegian singer songwriter Susanne Sundfør and the brilliant, all-female Swedish pop-quartet Dolores Haze outrageous King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard who specialise in psychedelic tunes!
The People's Ear will present a line-up essential to create a heat to warm the ears from 11pm-3am every night on the iArena. Acts include self-taught musical craftsmen Ben UFO, three of the most innovative names in electronic music – untouchable London wordsmiths The Four Owls, Grammy nominated funk master Werkha (Live) and his live band, musician, three-piece DJ EZ, producer Monki and Alexander Nut and tropical bass heroes The Busy Twist. Expect and believe!
In an exclusive festival appearance at Latitude, Gareth Malone will this year be putting together a unique choir of Latitude festival goers. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to apply to be part of this 100-strong group who will rehearse at several points over the weekend, culminating in a Main Stage lunchtime performance on Sunday 19th July. In addition, Gareth and his Voices choir will be performing on the Waterfront Stage on Saturday 18th July.’
COMEDY AT LATITUDE
Over the last ten years Latitude’s comedy line-up has set the bar for summer festivals, offering the Latitude audience a unique opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the business all over the same weekend. It’s also the first chance to see the acts destined to make waves in Edinburgh later in the summer.
Headlining this special 10th Edition year will be national treasure Alan Davies, the longstanding QI panellist is well-known for his glorious insight into worldviews. Growing up in the ‘70s, losing his mother as a little boy, the vagaries of Facebook, sex toys and being a father are just some of the subjects he tackles.
Festival organisers are hugely excited to announce Jason Manford to headline the Comedy Arena. Renowned for his hilarious observations and loveable, friendly delivery, Jason has been a firm favourite with comedy fans of all ages since his first solo stand-up show earned him huge critical acclaim. The Perrier nominated comic won Chortle Breakthrough Act in 2006, Latitude’s inaugural year, and has risen to become one of the UK’s favourite TV comics.
2013 British Comedy Award Best Male Comic nominee, and Live At The Apollo star, Jon Richardson is one of the UK's brightest and immensely likeable stand up heroes. Back with a brand new stand-up routine to delight audiences, Time Out call him ‘Sublimely brilliant, stunning…He is a comic right on the verge of greatness. If you haven’t seen him yet, get your finger out and sort it!
Off the back of his hugely successful Channel 4 TV show ‘Catastrophe’ Rob Delaney brings his performance to the Suffolk setting. Voted the funniest man on Twitter, Latitude welcomes Rob’s hilarious but sometimes dark anecdotes and tales to the festival for the first time.
Australian comedian and television presenter Adam Hills best known for hosting The Last Leg on Channel 4 will bring his combination of positive uplifting comedy and rampant spontaneity to the Comedy Arena.
Another award-winning comic performing at the festival this year is Jack Dee. Best known for his sarcasm and deadpan humour, he takes a break from being everyone’s favourite grumpster to lend a helping hand to Latitude Festival goers with his side splittingly funny show Help Desk where he will be joined by a panel of star comedians from the festival line up to offer expert advice on the Latitude audience’s problems.
Perrier Award winning Irish comedian David O’Doherty will bring his stand-up routine to the festival this summer. Also on the bill is; Latitude’s resident prankster Josh Widdicombe, Canadian super comic Katherine Ryan, one of many stand out female comics programmed for the festival this year. With a formidable reputation on the live circuit and high profile TV appearances to her name, Katherine will pull out all the stops this summer.
This year’s festival will host; self-proclaimed “spit and sawdust” performer Shappi Khorsandi, Best Show nominee at the Edinburgh Fosters Comedy Awards in 2014 Sara Pascoe, brilliant Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss, top of the 2015 tipster list Dane Baptiste, lyrical anti-lad, Liam Williams, the hugely popular Holly Walsh, the effortlessly talented Joe Lycett, fantastic bombastic star of the hit show ‘What Would Beyonce Do’s Luisa Omelian, ventriloquist Nina Conti with her popular puppet characters and Viral Tap star Matt Richardson who all join the 10th Edition celebrations.
WATERFRONT STAGE
Following from his sold out Barbican shows, we are hugely excited to announce that piano virtuoso Chilly Gonzales will be performing his new album Chambers on the Waterfront Stage with the Kaiser Quartett. Switching gears from his 2013 collaborations with Grammy winners Daft Punk and Drake, Gonzales’ Latitude show will be an entertaining and intimate experience orchestrated especially with Hamburg’s Kaiser Quartett displaying his inimitable touch. This will be a stunning highlight of the festival and it is not to be missed.
Since 2008 Sadler’s Wells has presented a special programme of dance at Latitude Festival to audiences in excess of 40,000 people across the years. This summer the theatre returns for an eighth consecutive year, presenting a diverse programme on the outdoor Waterfront Stage that will appeal to audiences of all ages and that reflects the theatre’s reputation for presenting world class dance in all its forms. Full line-up to be announced.
POETRY ARENA
At the heart of Latitude the Poetry Arena showcases the very best stand up and beat poets, alongside laureates and literary legends. Headlining this year’s Poetry Arena will be the former laureate and award winning poet Simon Armitage CBE who is described by Poetry Review as “the front man of his generation”.
Tim Key, star and creator of Radio 4’s Late Night Poetry Programme Tim Key is as a poet, actor, comic and film star, appearing as Alan Partridge’s sidekick in Mid-Morning Matters and Alpha Papa. A brilliant poet and Edinburgh Perrier Award winner we are delighted he will be joining us in the Poetry Arena this year.
Children’s favourite and recently appointed professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths and presenter of Word of Mouth on Radio 4 Michael Rosen joins the celebrations. Last year Michael packed the Poetry Arena to the rafters. Number one poet of the parents, Michael was the subject of a recent viral campaign to hire him as Education Minister.
Punk Rock legend, performance poet and Latitude favourite the inimitable DoctorJohn Cooper Clarke is expected to bring a new collection of poetry. A seminal influence on punk the voice of Manchester and beat poets everywhere, expect a ferociously funny performance and make sure you get a seat early.
Smashing into the Poetry Arena to read his latest poems will be BBC Three’s ‘Uncle’ writer and star Nick Helm, his hilarious stand up style has been described as ‘brash and bullish’.
FILM & MUSIC STAGE
The first name announced for the Film & Music Stage is Brit Award nominated George the Poet. A poet for the people, George mixes social and political comment with humour to demonstrate his passion for poetry as a powerful tool to educate the masses. George delivers an unforgettable live performance, which consists of a hypnotic blend of poetry and rap.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The Kids Arena keeps children entertained all day and into the night with everything from pond dipping & astronomy to pizza making and night-time disco and fire-show. There’s something for everyone! Use traditional tools or pan for gold, explore the woods or ID animal bones!…investigate a crime scene or head to the Kids Theatre for shows, music, drama classes and puppetry. There are giant crafts from building with architects to shaping willow, working with clay, knitting, felting or getting busy with a million stickers! Amazing activities come from a range of trusted names, from Macmillan’s Children’s Books to the Zoological Society of London,Suffolk Wildlife Trust to the Woodcraft Folk and many more.
The Inbetweeners’ Teen Area is a hidden woodland wonderland-offering teenagers a packed weekend. Chose music, media, fashion and technology workshops, including; a live stage, new DJ Academy and chill-out area with Culture Works East and Access to Music. Or join our friends from Greenpeace; tackle wildlife, bush-craft and survival skills or get physical with climbing nets and a zip wire suspended high in the trees – a real walk on the wild side!
SPECIAL ADDITIONS
Other Voices will bring a little bit of musical magic from its spiritual home on the Wild Atlantic Way in the West of Ireland to Suffolk for this year’s Latitude Festival. Now in its fourteenth year, Other Voices has previously accepted invitations from Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, Wilton’s Music Hall in London and The Glassworks in Derry-Londonderry during their Festival of Culture in 2013.
This year Latitude welcomes, Solas, a new spa area providing an oasis of calm by day and meticulous merriment by night. Meaning ‘light’ in Irish, Solas invites festival goers to learn the art of chilling out. Take refuge in the specially designed holistic area where expert therapists will soothe the mind and body with massages, yoga, treatments and workshops to ease and appease, while indulgence meets decadence in bubbling hot-tubs and seaweed baths. Dotted throughout the zone will be a hand-picked selection of installations; unwind under a canopy of reflective art and light and expand your mind as you investigate the sonic robotics of Indonesian inspired Gamelatron.
As darkness unfolds, Solas will become an intimate tableau of late-night party corners. A piano bar sunk into the forest floor will entertain and ignite, while the ElectroShack spins a dizzying array of upbeat earworms. Jump on the furniture and make yourself at home at My Club House, peer across the festival grounds from the secret Hilltop Hideaway, or shed your 21st century cool and embrace the sunshine kitsch at Body Holiday.
Sky Arts returns for the 10th celebrations to bring fans highlights from the Latitude weekend. Two 120minute jam packed shows of performances, interviews and highpoints will be televised the weekend after the festival.
The final of Sky Arts Guitar Star, a major new competition to search for a world-class guitarist, will film the winning player performing on Latitude’s Obelisk Arena. For more information visit: http://www.sky.com/tv/show/guitar
This year for the first time ever Latitude will be partnering with ActionAid a leading international development charity who support women and children living in extreme poverty. They work to help empower women and children to fight for their own rights and to create lasting change.
By day, the new ActionAid tent will be home to creative craft workshops, games and festival fun activities and by night the tent will transform into a late-night party venue with DJ’s playing until the early hours. Look out for signings and guest DJ sets from some of the festival acts too.
With support from Festival Republic and Firebrand merchandise, ActionAid will also be teaming up with one of the 2015 Latitude acts to create a limited Edition festival item which will be available to buy exclusively at the festival. All proceeds will go towards supporting ActionAid’s work to change lives for good.
Latitude is synonymous with the perfect festival experience, and this year organisers are going one step further with Latitude’s Charity Concierge. Imagine someone going to the bar for you…putting up your tent….even holding your place in the queue for the Comedy Stage or Theatre tent. Latitude’s team of 100 enthusiastic volunteers will be offering these services throughout the arena and in some campsites, to raise money for the Kenyan Orphan Project. And Festival Republic will match fund every penny. The team are aiming to raise £50,000 so lie back in the sunshine and let someone else do the leg work!
JUNGLE presents DJ sets from Jungle/ Beaty Heart/ Django Django/ Oceaán/ Shura/ Tei Shi/ XL Djs + special guests
TRADIIO in assoc. with The 405 Antix/ Cholombian/ Luka/ Matthew & Me/ Tropics/ Wild Echo/ Yossarian
New additions for Field Day Sunday 7th June: Beach Baby/ DJ Haai/ Gengahr/ Inheaven/ Jacco Gardner/ Leopold and his Fiction/ Matthew E. White/ Nimmo/ Yak
Scroll down for Field Day Sunday announcement
The ninth edition of Field Day will be held at Victoria Park, in the heart of East London on Saturday 6thand Sunday 7th June 2015.
We are delighted to reveal the new line up additions that will be joining the likes of Caribou, FKA Twigs,Django Django , Run The Jewels, Hudson Mohawke, SOPHIE, Chet Faker and Nina Kraviz on the FieldDaySaturday6th June bill.
2014 Mercury nominees Jungle will be hosting their very own DJ bandstand at Field Day this year. They've hand-picked some of their favourite artists in order to curate an eclectic line up of fantastic DJ sets, which so far includes Jungle, Beaty Heart, Django Django, Oceaán, Shura, Tei Shi, XL DJs and more special guests still to be announced.
We are very excited to have partnered with the new music-discovery platform Tradiio for the Tradiio in association with The 405 stage, which will play host to the most successful new artists on the platform. First up are tropical polyrhythmic multi instrumentalist Tropics, London based Hip Hop artist Antix, as well as Cholombian, who will bring his coalition of striking cinematic soundscapes and hip-hop inspired beats to Victoria Park. Also confirmed for this stage are hazy R&B and industrial pop producer Luka, post art-rock band Yossarian, as well as dreamy newcomers Wild Echo.
New additions for Field Day Sunday 7th June:
Beach Baby/ DJ Haai/ Gengahr/ Jacco Gardner/ Leopold and his Fiction/ Matthew E. White/ Nimmo/ Yak
We are thrilled to announce more exciting additions to the Field Day Sunday 7th June line up.
Virginian soul maverick Matthew E White, who recently released his brilliant second album 'Fresh Blood' via Domino, will be performing alongside the likes of newly reformed seminal shoe-gazers RIDE, as well as the iconic PattiSmith&herband(performing her 1975 groundbreaking album Horses), Savages, Mac DeMarco, Gaz Coombes, Hookworms, Allah-Las, Viet Cong, DIIV, Eagulls and many more.
We are delighted to announce a brand new stage for Field Day Sunday. Confirmed for theVerity stage are the multi-instrumentalist Jacco Gardner with his sixties' baroque pop and toy town psych, hazy indie four-piece Genghar, vintage rockers Leopold and His Fiction, London psych rock trioYak, as well as the buzzy club-pop act Nimmo and apathetic alternative-pop four-piece Beach Baby.
Plus expect an epic DJ set from DJ Haai, who will showcase her diverse influences by playing an eclectic mix of Calypso, 60's oriental beats, afro disco favourite classics and obscure gems.
Playing his first ever UK festival, Sufjan Stevens will perform on the Woods Stage on Saturday night, following Australia’s psychedelic victors Tame Impala on Friday. Sunday night will see the critics’ album of 2014 holders TheWar On Drugs play their only summer festival in the UK this year.
Future Islands will be bringing their dance moves and infectious grooves to the intimate settings of Larmer Tree Gardens, while Mercury nominated Scottish four piece Django Django will be ready to play tracks from their hugely anticipated second album due this Spring.
Making their way from Perth, Pond will be bringing the psychedelic freak-outs, Toronto five-piece Alvvays bring the fuzz pop, while Ty Segall brings his band Fuzz. Spacebomb Records newcomer, and everyone’s favourite one to watch for this year, Natalie Prass has got the triumphant soul thing covered whilst controversial post-punk crusaders Sleaford Mods and South London’s Fat White Family bring the anarchy.
Following the announcement of Carrie & Lowell, his first album in four years, Sufjan Stevens will headline the three-day festival making End of the Road his first ever UK festival performance. Furthermore, this will be Stevens’ only UK festival date this year and his second ever festival appearance anywhere in the world.
Field Day welcome double Brit Awards nominee and Mercury nominee FKA Twigs, whose Field Day performance will be a London festival exclusive. The exceptional dancer turned singer, songwriter and producer has released one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2014 – her outstanding debut 'LP1'. Already considered a modern music and style icon, FKA Twigs is swiftly establishing herself as one of the most interesting and enigmatic faces in British music.
Also on board are Run The Jewels, the hip hop super duo formed by underground kings Killer Mike and El-P, in charge of the brilliant ‘Run The Jewels 1’ – Pitchfork’s top album of the year; as well as Hudson Mohawke, one of the most exciting producers to come out of Scotland in the last ten years, seducing rap-heads and ravers alike with his neon-lit E&B and warehouse smashing low-end beats and producing for char topping urban-pop names like Kanye West, Chris Brown and Azealia Banks.
Meanwhile, Norwegian cosmic disco Producer and Field Day favourite Todd Terje, creator of some of the most memorable dance floor hits in recent years, will be performing live with his full band The Olsen’s for the first time in the UK. Fingers crossed for a Bryan Ferry guest appearance…!
We are honoured to have Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway with us this year, as well as the brilliantTune-Yards, whose explosive live performances are as thrilling and unshakeable as her music. Also confirmed is Fryars, the musical brainchild of London-based Benjamin Garreet, whose peerless sound has won him fans from Kanye West to Depeche Mode.
World music has always played a notable part on Field Day’s line up. Joining the brilliant Ethiopian Keyboardist Hailu Mergia are Toumani & Sidiki Diabaté. In a rare father-and-son collaboration, Toumani, a genius of African music and widely recognised as the greatest living kora player will be joined by his talented son Sidiki, Mali’s best beat maker and kora’s emerging star. This will be a very special performance and we absolutely cannot wait to have them at Field Day this year.
In addition, Brian Shimkovitz aka Awesome Tapes from Africa will be responsible for an unforgettable DJ set on twin tape decks, exploring obscure and wonderful sounds from across the continent.
Expect epic sets from Young Turks signed, Barcelona producer John Talabot, responsible for his outstanding 2012 debut ‘ƒIN’; exceptional producer and DJ Floating Points, who’s won over crowds around the world with his strictly vinyl club session, climbing the ranks of the globe’s most impressive DJ’s; as well as sets from Rinse FM residents Elijah&Skilliam, and fast rising Brighton deep-house producer Leon Vynehall
+ sets from Huw Stephens, Marc Riley, Phil Taggart, Tom Ravenscroft, Volte-Face, Bad Vibrationsand Georgie Rogers!!
Having announced seminal band Ride’s long-awaited return last week, we are delighted to release the first set of acts for Field Day Saturday 6th June and Sunday 7th June 2015.
We are extremely honoured to announce that the iconic Patti Smithand her band will be joining headliners Ride on the Field Day Sunday line up. Her ground breaking 1975 debut ‘Horses’ was a landmark album whose influence grows with every year that passes. 2015 will mark the 40th anniversary of the album, and Patti, together with her band, will be performing it in its entirety on the Field Day main stage, alongside some other classics we all know and love.
Also on board for Field Day Sunday are atmospheric Brooklyn four-piece DIIV, who, lead by musical provocateur Zachary Cole Smith will be making their first London appearance in two years at Field Day – with brand new music. They will be joined by New Jersey band Ducktails, the increasingly less ‘solo’ endeavour of Matt Mondanile (of Real Estate); as well as Liverpudlian synth poppers Outfit, and conceptual pop artist Jane Weaver, who will bring her beautiful synth psych-pop and Stereolab-esque sounds to Field Day.
To headline the main Eat Your Own Ears stage on the Saturday, Field Day will be warmly welcoming back Caribou. A regular Field Day favourite since the very first edition in 2007, Dan Snaith released his sublime and critically acclaimed sixth album ‘Our Love’ earlier this autumn. We literally can’t wait to have him and his band at Field Day again – this time as the well-deserved headliner!
Caribou will be joined by an eclectic line up which includes the anticipated comeback of 2012 Mercury Prize nominees Django Django. Their closing set at FD2013 has been one of our fondest Field Day memories and we are very excited to see what 2015 will bring.
Also on board is Melbourne producer Chet Faker with his nebulous intersection of R&B and soul-influenced electronic music, as well as Kindness’ Adam Bainbridge, who will bring his sensual experimental soul grooves of his latest brilliant release ‘Otherness’ to Victoria Park.
We are very excited to welcome composer, violinist, and vocalist Owen Pallet; who is also known for his previous violin-looping live project Final Fantasy and his work with everyone from Arcade Fire, The National and Beirut, to The Brooklyn Philharmonic, The National Ballet of Canada and The Barbican Centre.
World music has always played a significant part in Field Day’s line up and we are delighted to have the brilliant Ethiopian keyboardist Hailu Mergia with us this year, joined by Tony Buck and Mike Majkowski. Mergia’s ground breaking 1977 record with the Walias (Ethiopiques) “Tche Belew”, a collection of instrumental jazz and groove recordings, has just been re-released last month by Awesome Tapes from Africa.
We are thrilled to announce that Russian techno DJ Nina Kraviz, one of dance music’s breakthrough names of the last five years, will be headlining the Bugged Out tent at Field Day 2015 with her signature raw blend of house and techno. Listening to her productions and DJ sets more than proves the acclaim she has received and we can’t wait for her to bring her acid infused sound to Field Day.
Also confirmed are rapper and multi-instrumentalist Madlib (DJ), The Guardian’s 2014 break-through actSOPHIE, a live set from the esteemed producer Clark, who just released his self-titled seventh album via Warp earlier this month; as well as Lithuanian Berlin-based Ten Walls, who shot to prominence with the anthemic brilliance of ‘Walking With Elephants’, one of the biggest tracks of last year.
Stunning Brooklyn-based Colombian Tei Shi (aka Valerie Teicher), the dazzling exponent of celestial R&B and pop electronica is also on board; as well as sister trio Jagaara, known for their soaring powerful vocals and beautifully arranged, atmospheric instrumentation. Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label has a knack of picking up true talents and the acquisition of Ghost Culture is no different – we are very pleased to see him added to the Field Day line up.
We are excited to announce two very special exclusive b2b sets at Field Day 2015: Expect an epic b2b set from Berghain residents and techno mammoths Ben Klock and MarcelDettman and a one-off exclusive b2b set from the brilliant and Field Day favourite Daniel Avery and Andrew Weatherall.
After a hugely successful and unforgettable weekend event last summer, the 9th edition of Field Day will be held on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2015 at its home in Victoria Park in the heart of East London.
Tom Baker, President of Field Day: "After a dream-come-true last week and Ride coming back after 20 years to headline Field Day Sunday, I’m really thrilled that Caribou (someone I’ve worked with for many, many, years), will close the main EYOE stage on Saturday. It’s of course amazing to have Patti Smith and her band performing the incredible Horses, alongside so many other exciting acts over the weekend: everyone from Ethiopiques legend Hailu Mergia to Django Django, DIIV and Ducktails all back with brand new music… just so many… Bring on June 2015!”
As with years gone by, Field Day will be providing ample entertainment for those looking for respite from the music in the Village Mentality area on The Village Green. Expect traditional side stalls inspired by country pastimes and weird and wonderful fete games such as sack racing, tug-o-war, tea bag tossing, winkle picking competition and last year’s highlight: the Nettle Eating Competition.
Unknown Croatia's first year has today been confirmed as a sell-out! Based in Rovinj, West Croatia, the music event is the first of its type to offer a well-balanced line-up of both live acts and DJs. With headline performances from the likes of The Horrors, Jessie Ware, Disclosure, Django Django, Jagwar Ma and Four Tet as well as DJ sets from Richie Hawtin, Dixon, Floating Points and Jamie XX, Unknown Croatia offers the creme de la creme in music. All this set in a stunning coastal resort nestled on the Adriatic coast complete with beach, forest, art installations and the first-ever Boiler Room Island, Unknown Croatia is set to be a very special end of the summer. www.unknowncroatia.com
Unknown Croatia is already set to be the musical highlight for thousands this summer, not content with offering arguably the best line-up of the season set within a croatian paradise, Unknown can reveal they will play host to a world first in 2013. The first ever Boiler Room Island will be available to a limited number of festival ticket holders on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th, whilst hundreds of thousands will be able to watch the Adriatic anthems unfold via the Boiler Room website. Django Django and PBR Streetgang will both be making their debut Boiler Room appearance on the island, joined by Bill Brewster, Craig Richards, Jackmaster and Optimo. Today's announcement comes with the news thatUnknown's incredible boat parties have sold out and the festival issue a ticket warning as main event tickets run low. Unknown Croatia tickets available at £109 + BF www.unknowncroatia.com
The inaugural Unknown Croatia is undoubtably one of the best ways to enjoy the final rays of sun in 2013. Set against turquoise waters and white sands, Unknown has again broken the boundaries of expectation welcoming the first ever Boiler Room Island to the Croatian event. Now a global entity, Boiler Room have streamed sets from legendary DJs to underground start ups throughout the world, inviting a select number of fans to an intimate DJ set which is streamed live to millions across the globe. Those unable to make it to Unknown will be able to tune in between 2pm and 6pm CET (1pm – 5pm GMT) to witness the party in real time.
Visible from the mainland but connected only by boat, Boiler Room Island will no doubt be the climax for an exclusive few at this years Unknown, with a capacity of just 120 people, tickets will be in high demand. Mercury Award nominees Django Django will make their inaugural appearance for Boiler Room at Unknown on Thursday 12th September, joined by acclaimed writer and industry insider Bill Brewster and We Love residents PBR Streetgang. Friday 13th welcomes a back to back set from the northern contingent, Glaswegian selector Jackmaster and DJ duo Optimo, completed by Fabric resident Craig Richards.
With Unknown just a week away, organisers have revealed day splits for this year's line-up. Tuesday sees world-class DJs and producers taking over the Forest, Mad Ferret and Unit 44 x Kid Acne stages with Erol Alkan, Jamie XX and Jackmaster, while on Wednesday the live performances kick off with Jessie Ware, TEED and The Horrors launching the Main Stage. Thursday welcomes the newly announced Boiler Room Island featuring Django Django and Friday opens with a paint fight on Main Stage before Disclosure, Lulu James, Jon Hopkins and more take to the stage to deliver an eclectic mix of house, soul and electronica to festival-goers all the way into to Saturday morning.
With only six days to go, excitement is mounting as artists and revellers travel from all sides of the globe with anticipation for what is set to be an idyllic end to the summer season. Offering immersive and mystical adventures across six stages, ticket holders can visit the Mad Ferret's Mirror World for a taste of the otherworldly or stumble upon Just A little Moroccan Medina, a secluded forest clearing to sit back and unwind. Taking place from 10th – 14th September, Unknown will feature the likes of Jessie Ware, The Horrors, Richie Hawtin, Moderat, Jamie xx and many more.
BOAT PARTIES HOSTED BY: 20 Years Of Kompakt / Beats In Space / Bugged Out / D:Edge / Eat Your Own Ears / Ene & Esp / FACT Mag / Gottwood x Future Disco / Hivern / Innervisions / Kubicruise / Phantasy Boat / Secretsundaze / Straight Up / Tweak-A-Holic / Wax:On
BOAT PARTY DJ SETS FROM: Ame / Chida / Daniel Avery / Dixon / DJ Kent aka The Blackwoods / DJ Koze / Erol Alkan / Floating Points / Four Tet / Jackmaster / Jaime xx / John Talabot / Julio Bashmore / Justin Robertson / Love Fingers / Michael Mayer / Optimo / Paaws / Paul Woolford / Pional / Spencer / Tim Sweeney
PROGRAMME MONDAY: Pool Arena – Day Emma / Last Magpie / People Get Real / Zutekh DJs Forest Death on the Balcony / Mike Jones / Mono Cult DJs / People Get Real / The Sonic Emporium / Trouble Vision / Volte-Face / Youandewan Mad Ferret Bad Passion / Butterside Up DJs / Dirty Talk DJs / Itchy Pig DJs / Last Waltz / Red Laser Disco / Reviveher
TUESDAY: Pool Arena Butterside Up DJs / Death on The Balcony / Dom Chung Pool Arena Mulletover: Geddes / Michael Mayer / Ryan Elliot Forest Erol Alkan / Jackmaster / Jamie XX / Lindstrom Live / Mike Jones / Oneman / Prins Thomas / Regulate DJs / The Sonic Emporium Mad Ferret Butter Side Up DJs / DJ Koze / Last Waltz / Mark E / Reviveher / Thunder / Toby Tobias Unit 44 x Kid Acne Daniel Avery / Dunny / Eskimo Twins / Gottwood Djs / Remi Mazet / Tom Grainger
WEDNESDAY: Main Stage Games – Limbo! Dutch Uncles / Factory Floor / Jagwar Ma / Jessie Ware / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs / The Horrors Pool Arena -By Day Mono Cult DJs / The Sonic Emporium / Tom Grainger Pool Arena – By Night Death on the Balcony / Dominic & Harri / Kerri Chandler / PBR Streetgang Forest Butter Side Up / Floating Points / George Fitzgerald / James Holden / Last Magpie / Mike Jones / People Get Real / Scuba Mad Ferret Bad Passion / Danielle Baldelli / Dirty Talk / Lovefingers / Red Laser Disco / The Backwoods v Chida Unit 44 x Kid Acne Bad Passion / Dom Chung / Eskimo Twins / Justin Robertson / The Sonic Emporium / Waze & Odyssey / Zutekh DJs
THURSDAY: Main Stage Games – Tug O'War! Clean Bandit / East India Youth / Four Tet / Moderat / SBTRKT DJ Set / Theme Park Pool Arena – By Day Last Waltz / People Get Real / Tom Grainger Pool Arena – By Night Eskimo Twins / Maceo Plex / Tiga / Zutekh DJs Forest Ame / Dixon / FCL / Giles Smith / Henrik Schwarz Live / James Priestley / Mono Cult DJs / Youandewan Mad Ferret Bill Brewster / Hardway Brothers / Itchy Pig / Jo Hart / Scott Fraser & Timothy Fairplay / Thunder / Tim Sweeney Unit 44 x Kid Acne Dollop DJs / Jackmaster / Ollie Patten / PBR Streetgang / Renato Ratier / Spacestation DJs / Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs DJ Set Boiler Room Island Django Django / Bill Brewster / PBR Streetgang
FRIDAY: Main Stage Games – Paint Fight Disclosure / Django Django / Jon Hopkins / Julio Bashmore / Lu Lu James / Paaws / Richie Hawtin Pool Arena – By Day Bad Passion / Mike Jones / The Sonic Emporium Pool Arena – By Night CRAIG RICHARDS / MONO_CULT DJS / NINA KRAVIZ / TALE OF US Forest Cyril Hahn / Death on the Balcony / John Talabot / Joy Orbison / Paul Woolford / People Get Real / Richy Ahmed / Subb An Mad Ferret Bad Passion / Butter Side Up / Coyote / Last Waltz / Lazer Cave DJs / Optimo / Todd Terje Unit 44 x Kid Acne Dragnet DJs / Dunny / Man Power / Ollie Patten / Remi Mazet / Rothmans Boiler Room Island Optimo b2b Jackmaster / Craig Richards
SATURDAY: Afterparty Secret guests Pool Arena – By Day Gottwood DJs / Mike Jones / Zutekh DJs Pool Arena – By Night Bad Passion / Last Waltz Forest People Get Real / The Sonic Emporium
Beacons Festival, nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire moors, is boutique bliss. Having burst onto the already swollen festival scene a mere two years ago, the four night event boasts the crème de la crème in food, arts and culture-and by no means slim pickings when it comes to stellar performers.
It’s tough to know where to start when the offerings span from up-front indie to chillcore trance, edgy noise punk to folky-psych pop (if you hadn’t already guessed, this festival could count as "one for the hip ‘n’ happening students") but Friday headliner Bonobo is a sure place to start. If you weren’t lucky enough to catch the trip hop megastar’s down-tempo London shows showcasing new album ‘The North Borders’ then you have no excuse not to go. Simon Green's bass-guitared brainchild will surely be the premier event of the weekend, withGold Panda's similarly trippy blend of electronica shortly following.
Not to worry fans of the heavier side of life; Canadian hardcore outfit F*cked Up will no doubt, a la Gallows, prove they're eclectic and interesting enough to break out from the punk scene into all rounder NME poster boys. F*cked Up may not be one not to take your kids to, but the festival's famously family themes (the Guerilla Rave Rug is apparently perfect for the child who wants everyday to be their birthday) add generational variety beyond what the lineup suggests.
For more chilled out vibes, check out Channel One Soundsystem andUncle Acid and the Deadbeats; the former being world famous reggae dub DJs (expect tantalising Panda Dub overlays) and the latter grubbing out some classic stoner rock 'n' roll. Nice.
Others not to miss: Local Natives, Django Django, Eats Everything, Egyptian Hip Hop, Savages, Hookworms, Drenge
Beacons Festival takes place on the Funkirk Estate, Skipton between the 16th-18th August and, at just under £100 a ticket, is set to be the most economically priced-for-what-you-get fest of the summer.
The distinctive theme for the Secret Garden Party was surrounded by the idea of losing and finding yourself. Situated in the rural Abbots Ripton, near Huntingdon, people unite as “gardeners” coming together like free atoms colliding along the way. You leave yourself at the boundaries of reality and enter into an innovative multi-dimensional universe. With contagious vibes radiating from the drones of twentieth century hippies that trudged barefoot towards the gates (seeming to be unphased by the crates of Bulmers and four man tents they carried with them) there was a real sense of something exciting in the air. And we were not to be disappointed.
With the distant mumble of a soft rock solo guiding our way, we stumbled across Z Star at the Where The Wild Things Are stage. The crowd themselves however where not quite as wild as the stages name suggested but what became apparent was that the real hustle and bustle was happening just out of focus.
Men and women alike draped in eccentric fancy dress and showered in glitter led the way, drawing us away from the main attractions to the real heart of this unique festival. Sugar skull armies roamed the fields through vintage door frames that stood precariously, despite having no purpose at all. That’s when it really became apparent, secret garden party wasn’t your average festival. This is something that even virgin gardeners became accustomed to be at one with. One pixie like festival goer described the experience as being “an outer body experience” before being gently swept away into the twilight.
We followed suit and were abruptly woken by the dawn and the dew sweeping into our shoddy single layered tent that meant we were frankly sleeping under the stars. A bacon butty soon fixed all of our problems as we strolled through the sleeping souls of the intoxicated gardeners. A surreal air of stillness captivated the acres of land that had previously been flooded with energy but where now defused. We crossed paths with a Mad Scientist who repeatedly called out to no one in particular, “There’s a pile of experiences somewhere and no one can find them. What happened! What happened?”
The morning soon burst back into light as it didn’t take long before the gardeners were refreshed and eager to experience what the bands on their wrists could allow them. Flooding back to the fields meant that the atmosphere was much more electric. Exercise classes being led by mythical creatures in The Forum riled up the children, teens and adults of all ages that were catching the worms. These small, almost insignificant occurrences are almost magnetic in this environment. Gardeners gathered to admire with curiosity as to what was unravelling before them.
The music may be what you think you’re paying for, but the real experiences come in the surreal. Your own handmade postcards would be delivered to anyone who you could describe. So, your mate in the floral tent, with brown hair, wearing a top hat and fox tail would surely receive her mail. Being handed grasshoppers by workers displayed how this festival is all about being at one with nature and to become a true gardener you have to really run free. The more you open up and allow yourself to roam carelessly, the more of this weird and wonderful universe you will unintentionally discover.
The Labyrinth acted as a winding corridor with unravelling pathways which lead to unique burrows with different purposes. Burrows that acted as living rooms occupied with large restful sofas and dated coffee tables. On your way through, an assortment of books hung from the trees. One titled ‘Reveal your biggest secret’, the pages overflowed with confessions. Mirrors lay and wished to be broken, but no glass was seen scattered amongst the floor. No one gambled to risk the superstition. A fellow explorer explained to me, “the music is the backing track to a whole new realm,” as the hazy music journeyed from deeper within the forest. You wander around like Alice in Wonderland and unearth bands such as The Wytches, Django Django and Dan Crol. This was a mere treat amongst the array of activities such as crafts, sewing and epic mud combat wars.
A remarkable moment of Secret Garden Party gathered thousands of gardeners together; the paint fight. Waves of figures swarmed around the main stage and back into the far distance. The iconic sounds of House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ boomed and the sea of bodies jumped and hurled paint into the air, causing vast clouds of multicolour.
It was a spiritual experience and one band in particular stood out at this festival in a similar way. The Staves’ effortless ethereal aura personified Secret Garden Party, appealing to all ages that basked in the summer sun to soak in this other worldly experience. The Staves called out to the crowd “you all look very sunny” as girls danced about like small pixies, supernaturally moving with fascination to the enchanting guitar strings and the echoing melodies of the three sisters.
The Staves ethereal legacy lived on in the days to come, with bands such as Misty Miller serenading the crowds that persevered through the rain. The weather seemed to act as a pivotal point but the crowds persevered through the down pour. It did not dampen the spirits of most of the gardeners, if anything it brought new life to the festival. One wet gardener stated “the vibe- everyone is over it, or way to into it.”
Something else that people were defiantly ‘into’ was the food. Secret Garden Party prides itself on being diverse, and its catering services did the same. Offering up Ostrich burger for the adventurous, or a tamer pepperoni pizza for those with less experimental taste buds, there was something for everyone.
Secret Garden Party acts as an escape to the reality which we all face on a daily basis. People come here for the experiences beyond the music; to lose themselves and act as free spirits among the beautiful surroundings. The green backdrop becomes a present day Neverland, acting as a metaphor for eternal childhood, immortality and escapism for the gardeners. Time is difficult to track in this world. But when time eventually regains itself come Monday morning and we’ve packed up our dew covered tents; we knew we were leaving behind something monumental. As the masses left towards the gates, one content garden smiled and said “until next year, yeah?”
