Entertainment For Lively Minds
Latitude - can't you put in a word, Word?
Aaaaawwwwwww... last week I learn my favourite magazine is teaming up with my favorite festival... Woooop! Last night I learn about the headliners... Meh.
Fey, white landfilly guitars. Sigh. Where's the Big Singalong Sparkly Spectacle (Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones), the golly-gosh rock'n'roll visceral (Grinderman), the heartwarming festival-making experience (Elbow, Sigur Ros, Arcade Fire) of Ye Goode Olden Dayes?
Having been for the last two years with partner and kids (now aged 7 & 9) in tow, I've come to realise that the nature of the headliners is a hugely important factor for me. Yes, it's a festival of many parts, but as each day draws to a close I've been increasingly stumped to find an option which suits my situation en familie -- comedy & cabaret too sweary by then; theatre inevitably over-14s only by that time of night; poetry & literary rather too demanding of kiddywinks' attention span; Word (formerly Uncut) arena genuinely rubbish for clear view unless you're six foot plus, Lakeside stage shut for business... and so on and so forth. The Obelisk is, thus, where you'll find me.
But, on the basis of 2010's headliners, not this year. It's a 500-mile roundtrip and this just doesn't look as though it's worth it.
Any suggestions for a family-friendly alternative?
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Three things
1) You're complaining about the headliners, not the acts in The Word tent, so surely that's beyond the control of the chaps at the good ship word
2) You can have a fantastic time without the headliners. I've been for a day trip the last two years and each time haven't stuck around for the headliners because I'm not a fan (Sigur Ros and Grace Jones) but you can always find something to do. Personally, I think there's something a bit more intimate about seeing an act where there aren't that many people
3) I'm incredibly biased, but Belle and Sebastian aren't really fey anymore (and they've certainly never been landfill). On their last two albums, there's noticeably more oomph, and they're now making perfect pop.
There... I didn't particularly mean to rant, so sorry if it came out that way.
The woods
We went with friends and split up the evenings - some watched the headliners, others took the kids to the shows in the woods (and the cider tent).
Like you the headliners don't rock my world - though other friends will probably now come just to see Florence.
See Mr. Hepworth's comments on the other strand as well. Its' 500 mile trip for us too. And a day out of school for the kids. Still I think we will be there.
but has FloMac
got more than 2 songs (one's a cover)? very odd choice for a headliner and last time I saw B&S at glasto they were 6th on the bill on the second stage and hardly rocked the world. I am a bit let down I know you can only book people who are on tour but not that fussed by any of the headliners. will have to think about this one.
Cost.
Bloody expensive putting on festivals these days what with bands wanting a decent wedge to show up. I heard a story last week that a favourite band of mine, with a lovely front man, were requesting a 3 figure fee for a headline slot - if that rumour is the norm amongst other potential headliners for all but the big festivals (Glasto, R/L & V), then as a festival booker you're going to lose acts that your audience may percieve as ideal for your festival. Exclusivity contracts on festival appearances also play a big part on who plays and who doesn't.
Someone like FloMo The Buzzsaw Pleasurer (yes, I am not a fan) may be ideal for Latitude. She has a cred giving Mercury nomination behind her and is clearly very popular despite having just one album out so she'll bring a crowd. Perhaps.
On the whole I really can't be mithred with any festivals headline slot. It's the other stuff that makes festivals such great fun.
those greedy devils
want a whole £100 quid for turning up ! ;-)
It was the request
for a pork pie on their tech rider that really soured the deal.
Maybe it was six figures. These stories eh....
Reminds me of a bit in a Martin Amis novel
("Money"?), where the main character is promised a bonus "half way to six figures". When it arrives it's £150.
one thing Word could influence
Can we have a tie-in CD in the issue before Lattitude? So we can get to know some of the lesser known acts.
Damn good idea Sir
.
Alternatives?
Trowbridge Pump Festival - only been once but it was lovely.
Brampton - not been but looks like a typical festival for folkie families.
Cropredy - warning; contains Fairport Convention.
Alternatives...
Thanks for tips.
It's 20 years since my last Cropredy and I doubt it's eased up on the Fairport quota; a little is nice, but I couldn't eat a whole one.
Trowbridge Village Pump is just 20 minutes north of me - seems insane not to give it a try. And it's a gorgeous spot. Two adults, two kids under ten *and* a caravan - just £210 all in.
And 30 mins south is September's End Of The Road... Wilco, New Pornographers, Mountain Goats, Low Anthem Iron & Wine Black Mountain, Dengue Fever, Felice Brothers, The Unthanks, plus lots more in similar vein... and I'm holding out reasonable hope for both Dr Dog and Old Crow Medicine Show both booked for Belfast's concurrent Open House Festival.
£410 for same family package, though. Ouch.
And, over at the just-vacated Cornbury Festival...
...David Gray, Squeeze, Noisettes, Buddy Guy, Imelda May, Candi Staton, Dr John, Jackson Browne, The Feeling, Newton Faulkner, Reef and The Blockheads. Which in terms of The Word demographic would initially appear to be more of a good bet than two of last year's Blur support bands and Belle and Sebastian.
Cropredy - Status Quo, Little Feat, Fairport Convention. I'm guessing there won't be a great deal of "...and we'd like to do a new number for you now..."
Port Eliot Festival
Not primarily music, there are plenty of singing and dancing opportunities as well as poetry, comedy, talking, kids area. Last weekend in July. Best weekend of the year for me. (Honest Fraser, I'm not in anyway affiliated, I just love it!) I think it is very Massive friendly - last year there was an interview with none more Word Dominic West.
Sorry
None of them do it for me - not even High Voltage. What they need are more acts like Cesar Milan. You can never have enough of a dog whisperer. Word cover beckons...
www.ents24.com/web/artist/142484/Cesar_Millan_-_The_Dog_Whisperer.html
Green Man
Good kids stuff - good headliners this year. We'd be going except I can't 'cos of work. we'll probably do latitude as a fall back (I'm rarely awwke by the time the headliners roll around anyway...)