It seems more than ever that
escapism is something that people need in 2017 – time to switch off, recharge
and let loose. If you happen to be a music, theatre or comedy fan then Latitude
festival is one of the best weekends of the year to do so. It’s hard to turn down the
chance to get lost in the beautiful woodland, immerse yourself in endless new
talent and take a selfie with bright pink sheep.

A personal highlight just so happened to be the first
performance of the weekend. Playing in the idyllic Sunrise Arena, rising pop
princess Sigrid took to the stage on Friday afternoon. With the name floating
around the music industry for the past few months, it was no surprise that
hundreds spilt out of the tent into the scenic surroundings, desperate to catch
the energetic Norwegian singer. This unrivaled energy seemed to be infectious
– it became apparent to many that Sigrid was born to perform as she faultlessly
transitions from song to song. Ending her set on ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’, the
reaction it brings is no surprise. It’s the biggest song of the set, leaving
people feeling they had witnessed something truly special.

Singer-songwriter Lucy Rose brought her folk-tinged tunes to
the Obelisk Arena, pulling a huge afternoon crowd to the main stage and warming
them up for Mumford and Sons later in the evening. Lucy’s music relies on
vulnerability and sincerity, something that can get lost on festival stages but
she shows she has mastered her craft with confidence as she plays tracks from
new album “Something’s Changing”. Lucy will be bringing her live show to the
RNCM Theatre in Manchester this November to support the recent release.

WARD THOMAS

Ward Thomas set the scene perfectly for a relaxed, upbeat and
sunny Sunday afternoon. The sisters were all smiles as the arena filled with
people of all different ages, children ran around as parents sprawled across
the grass with a pint in hand. The country duo told personal tales of Nashville
and their teenage years in Hampshire. Their second album of sailed to Number 1
on the UK Album Chart on release last year, making them the first ever UK
country act to do so. A personal highlight was their take on Years &
Years’ ‘Shine’, which instantly lifted the easy-going Sunday mood.

 

 

South London rapper, Loyle Carner released his debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ earlier
this year which spent a total of 3 weeks in the charts. The hip-hop artist is
one of the most exciting around and it certainly showed when he took to the BBC
music tent. Joined on stage by his collaborator Rebel Kleff, the entire
performance seemed mature and crafted. The Croydon rapper confidently
translates his sensitive and warm-hearted record into his live shows. With a
headline tour to look forward to later this year, judging off Sunday’s standout
performance, he shows that he is more than ready. He will be taking to the road
for seven headline shows at the end of September.

The Seattle band closed the Suffolk festival with their first
UK show in six years. Their music does most the talking, and it’s exactly what
the audience needs to reflect on such a spectacular weekend. Much to the
audience’s joy, Sunday night’s show also saw a young couple get engaged on
stage during the performance – which can’t be expected on every date of their
upcoming tour, unfortunately. The most recent material from, ‘Crack Up’, got a
surprising reception with the crowd as the new offering made waves through a
crowd of old fans and new. Highlights include 2012 release, ‘Mykonos’ which
gave the elated crowd to bellow along to front-man Robin Pecknold’s talented
falsetto vocals. Don’t miss your chance to see the band in Southampton and
Manchester this November!