Baby’s first Latitude: A freelancer’s fruitful frolic to the forest.
Signs of solidarity at the family function, Yonks was with Feats last weekend at Latitude - capturing the upcoming artists and the heavy hitters.
I had the pleasure of attending Latitude last week with Feats. Heading down from Manchester to Suffolk on my own was daunting but daring - meeting up with one of the founders of Feats, Tom, softened the fall of fending for yourself in a field for four days.
Tom Ellis (TJEphotos/FEATS)
Latitude has all the atmosphere and feel I knew it would have, but I must admit, I was slightly taken aback by just how family oriented it was. It was lovely. Almost… too lovely. As someone used to Green camp aerosol wars at Reading, smashed up shawarmas soaked into the soggy, sweaty grass, and sesh heads pissing up against my tent in the night, the kumbaya quality Latitude has at its core made me suspicious, at least at the start. I was waiting with dread for a bottle of piss to drench someone in the crowd. But by some miracle, no involuntary golden showers were had, or any for that matter, because this is still a festival and… well the line’s too long - we’ll rough it out.
As with most festivals, the more that time creeps on, you realise there’s about 15 acts you want to see in the day, and you suddenly find yourself wishing you could split or clone yourself into three. I’m still kicking myself for not finding a way to zap myself over to the Climate Bus Stage Sunday to see Sola Guinto. One of her singles, Armageddon, a rather jubilant song in the face of the end of days - couldn’t have been a better fit on that stage in some deeply cosmic level of satire. I do feel like she’s an artist we should all have our eye on in the next few years.
Yonks (@yonky.donkey/Instagram)
A particular note I want to make is the bucket list moment of shooting Billy Bragg on the Friday - I couldn’t possibly contain my excitement. There’s a running joke in my family that he looks a bit like my uncle, Essex edition - and I can now clearly confirm the resemblance. In a slight departure from the views of his age bracket, admitting himself in an anecdote with a fan - he draws parallels between Section 28 and the criminalisation of LGTBQ+ Sex Education in the 80’s, and the criminalisation of specifically Trans Women that’s happening today. He confessed the fan was surprised and relieved that someone of his age was willing to speak on these matters, and frankly, so am I. It was refreshing to see someone of his age using their platform for a candid conversation, instead of bigoted, blind hatred. He can see this for what it is: History repeating itself.
Tom Ellis (TJEphotos/FEATS)
The second day brought some showers, uncharacteristic of Latitude’s usual weather, I was told, and a mix of running from Alcove to the Second Stage and Main (Obelisk) Arena grabbing what coverage we could of all the talent. North London’s own ‘Sorry’ was seamless and suave as ever, with their trench coat cladded bassist and frontman Asha Lorenz’s cool, calm confidence, taking drags of various smokes throughout the set. These guys are the kind of artists that let their songs do the talking, just such musicians, in the purest sense.
Yonks (@yonky.donkey/Instagram)
Saturday brought us more solidarity and commentaries to the world’s catastrophes, proving that you can never tell a musician to leave politics at the dressing room door. Sprints on the Friday had a Palestine flag on stage, the guitarist of Sorry had a ‘Save Gaza’ sticker on his guitar, and Fat Boy Slim brought effortless, electric joy, but still with a purpose too. A ‘Drop acid, not bombs’ decal plastered on his laptop, later projected onto the big screens for all to see - it’s clear where loyalties lie for some artists, standing for the truth and speaking out against the grain. I swear the music sounds better that way anyway - with bass and a backbone.
Tom Ellis (TJEphotos/FEATS)
Other standouts from the festival, has to include Sarah Julia on the Sunday, who I was blessed enough to see support Paris Paloma on her recent tour in June. Amsterdam based duo, ending on a beautiful song named after the Cairngorms in Scotland - such a sentimental song sung like folk faeries that were local to the land. I really enjoy how much of an all-rounder Latitude seems to be, seemingly quite an indie line up, with wriggle room for bands of heavier persuasions, as well as more acoustic and folk musicians. It was great to see the likes of Infinity Song, a quartet of siblings from New York, and Annahstasia, an artist I found myself completely transfixed by, before running back to the Main Stage once more. Two acts I hope acquire more accolades in their careers ahead.
Yonks (@yonky.donkey/Instagram)
It’d be a crime to not mention how I round off the weekend at Latitude - Brighton’s own Lambrini Girls - perhaps I’m a little bias with the genres and overall ethos of the artists I chose to see, but the stage presence of Lambrini Girls are second to none. The trio have been on my to-see list for longer than I care to admit. Having shot for the likes of The Menstrual Cramps and frequently shooting more ‘Hardcore’ shows - I knew shooting these guys would be a professional win and a personal elixir. ‘DO YOU HATE THE POLICE LATITUDE?’
Any crumb of ‘professionalism’ left standing for the weekend went out the window as they came on stage. Punks by nature and in practice, Lambrini Girls managed to address possibly every conceivable issue we have in the UK today. Making it abundantly clear where they stand on Palestine, Trans Rights and violence against women; as well as the ongoing and increase in state violence in this country. Lambrini Girls can cultivate the most principled pit, making it clear you’re not welcome if you’re not inclusive to the crowd. A crowd I’d be happy to scrap in any day of the week.
Overall, Latitude was a treat. Having my own personal convictions with the world, growing more bitter with each birthday - Seeing these rises and responses to tension in artists is a much-needed sight. I’m not sure how you could expect artists, particularly cut from a certain punked up, patched up cloth, to not speak out on the ways of the world. It’s Free Palestine until there’s a Free Palestine, and it’s good to see artists who wholeheartedly and unapologetically agree.
