25 July 2024 (gig)
02 August 2024
Latitude 2024 is set in the beautiful Henham Park in Suffolk with mysterious paths, ancient trees and fern filled forests. Thousands of family’s made this their holiday choice and lucked out on the sunshine and incredible line-up at this perfect British festival.
It was Latitude’s 18th year of running this show, bringing a diverse and cultured line-up that showcased a huge selection of music genres with strong headliners, comedy, literature, arts, holistic wellness and brilliant kids areas.
The kids hangouts were curated with fun and imagination, to keep curious minds occupied. The programme was packed daily with new activities such as pirate theatre, dinosaur workshops, high ropes, bush crafts and many others from toddlers to teens.
Latitude has certainly thought of everything higher end and knows its audience. Arena’s with free seating, intimate woodland shady stages, iconic fluorescent pink sheep grazing around the sparkling swimming lake; which on such a scorching weekend offered a cooling balance to the high energy stages. Great to see Street Feast setting the standards high, our mouths are still watering from the array of culinary delights spanning dozens of cuisines, dishes and drinks.
Kicking off Friday we started out at the Obelisk stage with Frank Turner and the sleeping souls, the excitement for this show was high! Frank kept banging out his bouncy personal anthems from his now ten albums to his loyal followers! Corine Bailey Rae presented her super aggressive, punk-fuelled ‘Black Rainbows album’ she’s been looking for something new but ended on some softer crowd pleasers. Alison Goldfrapp looked like she’d stepped off the catwalk with her zeitgeist style and sultry, cool performance. Smoke jets fogged the stage mixed with the strobe heavy and electronic flavours.
The crowd were absolutely buzzing with excitement for Leicester’s rowdy Indie band Kasabian who have been promoting their new album ‘happenings’. It was Kasabian’s first performance at Latitude and the band delivered a top notch show of hits, distinctive neon outfits and wild crowd surfing from frontman Serge. They were on FIRE! The night was far from over as Irvine Welsh’s DJ set kicked off in the woods followed by Fat Dog’s formidable and bangin set in the trailer park, bloody brilliant.
Another roasting day on Saturday, slapping on the factor 50 and the bucket hats we headed for a cooler start. At the BBC Introducing stage Radio 4’s Poetry showcased The Verb with lan McMillan, John Cooper Clarke, Luke Wright and Joelle Taylor.
Taking a dip in the lake was so refreshing before heading to see the bearded American hero Seasick Steve play the blues’s. His stories about his hobo past is complex and multi-layered but always a fantastically compelling and charismatic live performance.
The Mary Wallopers are the best supporting act out there at the moment, supporting Liam Gallagher and breathing new life into Irish ballads about drinkin, ridin and politics. You can see the love these guys have for each other on stage. What better band to get the crowd going for Saturday night a highlight of the weekend.
National treasure Rick Astley understands how to be fun and full of energy. Almost everyone knew the words to the blue print track ‘never gonna give you up’ the crowd fully embraced the feel good, dad-rock 80’s vibes.
As the sun set on another scorching summer evening, the Obelisk stage was heaving with adoring Keane fans who sang along to the softer tunes that never grow old. It was clear that Keane's music and likabilty continues to touch the hearts and minds of their adoring fans, bringing moments of reflection for those that were present the first time round. Tom Chaplin was emotional, honest and full of gratitude at Latitude.
London Grammar headlined the Obelisk, Hannah Reid’s soothing vocals enchanted the mellow crowd into the night with an intoxicating mix of soulful electronics and techno-folk. The dramatic and emotional performance captured the vibe perfectly. Reid handed over the singing of 'Strong' to a young member of the audience called Darcy, a lifetime moment for her. Orbital’s electronic dance set and eye-popping visuals were at the second stage making it possible to do a bit of both!
On Sunday there was plenty of fire and passion from Rag n Bone Man he quickly made the large crowd intimate with his deep baritone voice and beautiful lyrics. The Darkness rocked the Obelisk Stage in the belting sun with their iconic energetic performance, handstands, electrifying music and hitting those really really high pitched notes. It was the local lads from Lowestoft’s first time at Latitude, taking the energy up a level.
Nile Rodgers & Chic delivered a flawless voyage of inexhaustible hits, through decades and genres launching into a breathless medley of floor-fillers for young and old alike delivered by one of pops enduring masters.
For many Duran Duran was the pinnacle performance of the weekend. The 80’s icons celebrated more than 40 years of hit after hit with timeless pop songs and effortless energy which journeyed through their astonishing musical career. You could feel the nostalgia for the 80’s era and love for Simon Le Bon from the audience that were there and a respect for this remarkable decade from those that weren’t. After a roaring encore Duran Duran ended Latitude 2024 on Rio and what a moment.
A festival that seems to have thought of everything will continue to attract some of the best performers in the world.
Thank you Latitude you were incredible.
