Entertainment For Lively Minds
The Word Sponsors Latitude
We’re absolutely delighted to be able to announce that this magazine is an official media partner for the key event of the summer, Latitude. This is no ordinary festival – it’s music, comedy, theatre and literature and all manner of related arts and culture. Which is why we like it and it likes us.
There’ll be film, theatre and cabaret tents, psychedelic sheep and countless music stages rolled out across 500 acres of sumptuous parkland in Southwold, Suffolk from 15-18 July. The Word are putting our name to a 6,000-capacity music marquee (confirmed so far: The National, The xx, Grizzly Bear, Charlotte Gainsbourg and The Horrors) and staging the odd event of our own in the Literary Tent (details to follow). Already confirmed elsewhere: Florence + The Machine, Empire Of The Sun, Belle And Sebastian, Vampire Weekend, Bret Easton Ellis, Jon Ronson, Richard Herring, Marcus Brigstocke, Ardal O’Hanlon, Mark Lamarr & Geno Washington’s God’s Jukebox - and a Masked Ball.
Tickets go on sale from 9am, Wednesday 10 March. Click here to purchase, and we'll see you down the front.
Wow
Great work, The Word!
Latitude is an amazing festival, and this'll be a match made in heaven! I won't be there (combination of being in Australia and having a brand new baby) but that's an unbelievably promising start to the Word Tent lineup!
VIP enclosure
for The Massive? If so, what time will you be picking me up?
Got to be a limo to take me down the shops
I am expecting to be personally "Meet and greeted" by Messrs Ellen and Hepworth, and led through the VIP channel with a special gold wrist band.
But even if that is not on the cards - great. We were probably going anyhow, but this is the icing on the cake. For me the music lineup is not as strong as previous years, and it feels even more like a mixed arts festival so my wife will be delighted (and live in the poetry tent - again. Last year I think she only listened to Thom Yorke).
See you there.
When it comes to festivals....
...I'm the lightest of lightweights but this is what I have learned on the basis of a few visits and extensive interrogation of people like Mark Ellen and Andrew Harrison on their return from festivals far and wide:
* your enjoyment is rarely to do with the acts
* and if it is it's usually the ones you didn't anticipate seeing
* I have rarely seen a festival headliner because I don't have the stamina
* when you're taking a family it's better to have something for all the family than have a couple of things that super-serve a couple of members of the family and leave the rest feeling unsatisfied
* what matters most is the company and the weather.
I'd like to challenge you to the title
of lightest of lightweights.
- I've only ever been to two festivals (both Latitude, incidentally)
- I only went for the day
- I drove there and back in the same day
- One of my major considerations is going is that it was less than an hour from my parents' house
- On both occasions, I left before the headliners
I'm clearly a shadow of a man.
Clarification
Just wanted to clarify that I think that being more varied than just music is a good thing. My twin 7 year olds loved the kids area too. The company was great - the weather not so. Hoping for better this year.
Memories...
...of sitting in the tent watching lightning approach. I'm glad festivals aren't all about the line-up, as so far - not impressed.
It's all about the smaller acts combined with the element of surprise for me... and the fact my folks live in Walberswick!
Is this the Latitude 2010 customer complaints website?
Can I be the 1,056th Word blogger to say how truly awful 2/3 of the Obelisk headliners are, lightweight and dull live. You can probably work out which the good one is. Clue: it's not Florence or Vampire Weekend.
Also, having the Word (formerly Uncut) Arena on a slope is neither quirky nor practical. Give a few students a cement mixer and some shovels, and you could sort this out in a couple of hours if they really put their backs into it.
I hope the weak Obelisk headliners isn't a sign that Festival Republic have run out of budget and the rest of the bill continues to surprise us as in previous years.
Fortunately, Latitude isn't all about the headliners. It's about arguing with your family and mates about what you're going to have to miss next.
Me? I'll be camped in the Sunrise Arena with a Smirnoff Ice. Chirrrs.
OK, we're serious
ly thinking of going in our little vw campervan with kids aged 3 & 5. I couldn't immediately glean the child friendly elements of the festival from the website - so what's in it for the little bright sparks?
kids
We went with twin nearly 7 year olds, but we went with friends with 2 kids as well. There is a family camping area (which we did not use) so kids can find other kids to play with (and do).
There is a childrens area that had shows, readings, activities. A bit small last year - I think it might be bigger this time. Also a circus tent. Stalls selling juggling equipment goes down well.
And the woods - which have little shows and exhibitions, and are great for playing in (while the parents have a cider). In the main area there were bedtime story readings. The twins loved it and are looking forward to this year.
No need to worry
It's great for kids of all ages. I know a couple who even took a 3 week old baby. It's particularly good for kids between say 3 and 10. Family camping area and family field with loads of kids activities. Nature walks, treasure hunts, kids theatre, making stuff, wildlife pond dipping, pizza making, story telling, etc. It is one thing Latitude do very well. I guess that's on the basis that, if the kids are happy, then that's half the battle.
Supposed to be great for kids
Once I confirm my leave we'll be booking - taking kids aged 4&1
A request
My kids love the Kabeedies - who are pretty local to the festy and a cut above the indie schmindie average. An afternoon/early evening slot in the Word tent would be much appreciated by two small girls.
Hawley's a result!
in the spirit of "nothing ventured, nothing gained" how about some of the following?
British Sea Power
HMHB
Swans
The Tiger Lillies
Cathal Coughlan
James Yorkston
Mekons
The Hellset Orchestra
Flipron
Misty's Big Adventure
Killdozer
Lawnmower Deth
Wrong wrong wrong
Surely you should be sponsoring the Bearded Theory festival in Derbyshire in May. Features New Model Army, The Wonder Stuff, Dodgy, Cheeky Girls, etc, etc.
How about this for a Word-friendly record-breaking attempt,
"Help us break the world record attempt for the most amount of people wearing fancy dress beards in one place!!! This will be hosted on the Sunday of the festival and we expect to go down in a bit of hairy history!!"
www.beardedtheory.co.uk