FESTIVAL GUIDE: Latitude Festival

Name: Latitude Festival

Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk

When: 16th – 19th July

Headliners: Alt-J, Portishead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Also Featuring: Caribou, Warpaint, Wolf Alice, Drenge, Years and Years, Wild Beasts, The Vaccines, Savages, The Charlatans, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Gengahr, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Ezra Furhman, Rat Boy, Marika Hackman, Blossoms, Beach Baby …

A Brief History: It’s 10th birthday hailing this year, Latitude Festival prises itself on the range of music, literature, poetry, comedy, politics, art and film. Latitude was first held in July 2006, where Mogwai, Snow Patrol and Patti Smith headlined. Latitude is said to be more similar to continental European festivals, with a comprehensive bill of musicians, bands and artists across four stages – The Obelisk Arena, The BBC Radio 6 Music Stage, The i Arena, and the Huw Stephens-edited Lake Stage. Latitude is meant to capacitate for 35,000 people this year, a huge growth from 20,000 in it’s first.

How To Get There: Exclusive coach travel partner National Express have been working with the festival for a while and you can catch the coach from any local town or city (London, Colchester, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Norwich, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth) which will take you straight to the festival. VIP treatment and travel are available on one of their premium coaches from London at Victoria Station, they state “why let the musicians have all the tour bus fun?”. Shuttle busses are on throughout the weekend and are quick and easy to get you to the music. Weekend and day car parking is separate to the campsites in adjacent or nearby fields, many often arrive early for camping on the Thursday to get a space for the weekend ahead.

Gigslutz Top Tip: With the range of music, art, comedy etc. it will be hard to know where to head next, make a list of all your favourite bands and headliners and make sure you are there early and ready for the music. However, don’t stick to your plan – head out to the iArena and The Alcove for new music and something that will stick with you. At night venture into the hidden forests for the late night DJ Sets which will be a magical experience if you can find them.

Memorable Moments: Last year highlights of the festivals would be stumbling across an anarchic naked band named Fat White Family and having things stuck in your face that never should be. Additionally, being stuck in a mosh pit for two hours with lightning and thunder during The Black Keys and having I-don’t-know-what in your face – however it is memorable and it was a very enjoyable and magical experience.

What We Said Last Year: Gigslutz Sarah Griffin’s highlight was Damon Albarn’s headlining Saturday slot which delivered classics, charm and a little bit of magic.

Did You Know? Latitude festival host an array of VIP experiences – including hot tubs and the new addition of swimming in the infamous lake that runs through the festivals (which last year you could take a gondola through).

How To Get Tickets: See above…

The Playlist:

Daisy Scott

Daisy Scott

Daisy Scott

As long as it has a rad guitar riff, i'm in - or a mystical voice, that's it.
Daisy Scott

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