We’re finally here on site, I got up at 4.30 this morning to watch the sun rise, and I’m preparing myself for a weekend of amazing music, comedy, theatre and arts.
There’s so much to see and do at Latitude so if you need a starting point here are some of my picks beyond the headliners and big names, though of course I’ll be joining you all for Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra, as well as James’s midday show with an orchestra, and our brilliant BBC Sounds closers Yard Act, Young Fathers and seeing out the festival, Siouxsie.
Latitude has been championing tomorrow’s headliners for a decade and a half, and this year is no exception. My tips for future superstars this year are The Last Dinner Party fresh from supporting Lana Del Rey and having a roadblacked Glastonbury – expect a full Sunrise Arena; former Maccabees 86TVs, post-post-punkers English Teacher filling The Alcove on Friday, mysterious AD93 signees Bar Italia, TikTok sensation Mae Stephens, and for anyone who enjoyed Phoebe Bridgers last year, do check out girlpuppy on Saturday.
I’m looking forward to the site coming together to watch Tinariwen at lunchtime on Friday, and nobody should miss Don Letts with his full live band on Saturday (there are still a few tickets left for The Guest Chef too). Warmduscher never disappoint live, and neither will Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s trio LYR. Other shows I’ll definitely be checking out are Okay Kaya, Black Midi, Cloth, High Vis, Miss Grit and Nell Mescal.
On Friday evening do pop down to the lake where Wet Sounds are presenting an underwater listening session with Mandy, Indiana. And of course don’t miss the organised chaos of the Trailer Park stage, and the Lavish Lounge’s BBC Introducing stage.
The festival comes alive at night and our line up this year is it’s most diverse, eclectic yet. Common People will host the biggest Pulp afterparty at In The Woods on Friday, do check out activist and whistle-blower Chelsea Manning on Sunrise Arena on Thursday night, Peace playing live at midnight Friday, and friend of the festival Millie Cotton closing the show on Sunday.
It’s never just the music at Latitude and this year is no exception. This year I’m excited to experience Darkfield: Eulogy, be confused by a 2pm performance of An Evening With Christopher Bliss, experience a very online deep dive from Ryan Broderick: Garbage Day Live, check out Seayoncé, Jordan Gray, Stamptown and Jazz Emu. One of my favourite drag artists Ash Kenazi is in conversation with Chelsea Manning for the Pink Room Podcast, too. And of course there the UK’s biggest comedy line up outside Edinburgh Festival from Bridget Christie and Sara Pascoe all the way though to Romesh Ranganathan and Russell Kane.