How many times have people written this summer about The Hold Steady being the unexpected hits of a festival? Enough times, I guess, for the hardest-working band in showbusiness to become blase about these sort of shows. The thing is, as Craig Finn surveys the crowd with undisguised glee, it’s clear that this remarkable band’s appetite for rock’n’roll is still heroically potent.
The Hold Steady: yup, still good
The Hold Steady End Tour In Style At Latitude
The Hold Steady ended their latest tour with a magnificent set on a hot summer afternoon at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude festival in Suffolk. After two solid months on the road, Craig Finn and his tireless road warriors proud their high-intensity, euphoric brand of rock'n'roll to Latitude. The tour has included an exclusive show at Uncut's 10th Birthday party, the Glastonbury Festival and, yesterday, GuilFest. Far from showing signs of fatigue, The Hold Steady were, if anything, more committed and energised than usual. Keyboardist Franz Nicolai raised his striking sartorial standards by wearing a dinner suit. The Hold Steady played: 1 Stuck Between Stations 2 Chips Ahoy 3 You Can Make Him Like You 4 Massive Nights 5 Party Pit 6 Hot Soft Light 7 Your Little Hoodrat Friend 8 Stevie Nix 9 Southtown Girls/ Killer Parties Click here for more on The Hold Steady in the special Uncut Latitude blog Hold Steady Check back thoughout the weekend, Uncut's roaming team of reporters are at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Pic credit: Andy Willsher
The Hold Steady ended their latest tour with a magnificent set on a hot summer afternoon at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude festival in Suffolk.
After two solid months on the road, Craig Finn and his tireless road warriors proud their high-intensity, euphoric brand of rock’n’roll to Latitude. The tour has included an exclusive show at Uncut’s 10th Birthday party, the Glastonbury Festival and, yesterday, GuilFest.
Far from showing signs of fatigue, The Hold Steady were, if anything, more committed and energised than usual. Keyboardist Franz Nicolai raised his striking sartorial standards by wearing a dinner suit.
The Hold Steady played:
1 Stuck Between Stations
2 Chips Ahoy
3 You Can Make Him Like You
4 Massive Nights
5 Party Pit
6 Hot Soft Light
7 Your Little Hoodrat Friend
8 Stevie Nix
9 Southtown Girls/ Killer Parties
Click here for more on The Hold Steady in the special Uncut Latitude blog Hold Steady
Check back thoughout the weekend, Uncut’s roaming team of reporters are at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures.
Pic credit: Andy Willsher
Dylan packs out comedy tent. Annuals. Bat For Lashes
Something of a full afternoon, I have to report. So busy, in fact, I’ve only just got round to my first beer of the day. But, happily, I also had my first Latitude highlight: Bat For Lashes.
Elvis Perkins Recruits Indie Stars For Latitude Hoedown
Elvis Perkins was one of the early hits on Day Two of the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival. The son of actor Anthony Perkins played a rollicking set on Saturday afternoon on the Uncut stage, his folk-pop songs prompting comparisons with Bob Dylan and Willy Mason. Besides his famous family, Perkins seems pretty well-connected in indie circles, too. For the finale of "Doomsday", he was joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Click here for more on Elvis Perkins' exhuberant show in the special Uncut Latitude blog Elvis Perkins
Elvis Perkins was one of the early hits on Day Two of the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival.
The son of actor Anthony Perkins played a rollicking set on Saturday afternoon on the Uncut stage, his folk-pop songs prompting comparisons with Bob Dylan and Willy Mason.
Besides his famous family, Perkins seems pretty well-connected in indie circles, too. For the finale of “Doomsday”, he was joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
Click here for more on Elvis Perkins’ exhuberant show in the special Uncut Latitude blog Elvis Perkins
Elvis Perkins, Stephanie Dosen and the singer-songwriter glut
Afternoon, lovely day here at Latitude, pretty densely populated with singer-songwriters, it has to be said. I started the day at the lovely Sunrise stage in the woods(apparently, its strikingly mellow atmosphere was fractured yesterday when Les Rita Mitsouko got booed off). Right now, though, there's an angsty strummer called Karima Francis who looks a bit like a dreadlocked Justine Frischmann and sounds, I'm afraid, like KT Tunstall trying to do a Jeff Buckley impression. It's a bit grim, but the crowds lying in the undergrowth seem to appreciate such a politely fraught start to the day. Stephanie Dosen is next, a blonde from Milwaukee who could easily be mistaken for one of the elfin stewards who hang lurk in these woods. A certain overproduced preciousness blighted her recent album for me, so this is better - stripped back to acoustic guitar, cello and violin. Nevertheless, the pursuit of the ethereal, and a twee, tasteful aesthetic (in ten years of the Cocteaus-affiliated Bella Union label, they've never signed anyone so reminiscent of Liz Fraser) can grate a little. Maybe Dosen's songs could do with a little more of the curious wit she reveals in her rambling monologues between songs, even if the kookiness gets a bit Phoebe from Friends occasionally. "I dedicate this song to all the owls whose homes were ruined by this tent," she announces. Quite. A swift hike up to the Uncut tent is rewarded with the excellent Elvis Perkins. Perkins doesn't appear to be remotely precious or, here at least, interested in baring his soul to the suffering public. Instead, he writes and plays excellent, roistering folk-pop songs in a distinct Dylan tradition. Perhaps Willy Mason is the closest modern analogue, but I think Perkins - the son of Anthony Perkins, intriguingly - is better than Masdon. It's a swaggering, roistering show from the stealthy opening of "While You Were Sleeping" to the revivalist hoedown finale of "Doomsday". By then, Perkins has been joined by most of Cold War Kids and Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, while his drummer is cavorting round the stage with a bass drum strapped to his chest. All very jolly, and in the spirit of Michael's bizarre star-spotting here, I can report thatMartha Kearney from Newsnight seemed to be enjoying it, too.
Afternoon, lovely day here at Latitude, pretty densely populated with singer-songwriters, it has to be said. I started the day at the lovely Sunrise stage in the woods(apparently, its strikingly mellow atmosphere was fractured yesterday when Les Rita Mitsouko got booed off).
The view from Latitude… Catpeople and more pics of the fun here
The infamous Latitude ‘catpeople’ – apparently we’re ALL cats inside. Come to their cabin to discover your inner feline self.
The Smiths! Judge Dredd! Blackadder!
Or, what I did this morning at Latitude. Despite feeling relatively delicate today (ah, bless the pear cider), a gentle stroll round the Latitude site does wonders for the constitution. It's getting really busy here already -- the Comedy Arena was packed by 1pm when Lee Mack came on. I like Lee Mack -- he's got an easy-going, engaging way about him, perfectly suited to the lazy Saturday morning vibe. He does some good jokes about Franz Ferdinand, predictive text and jugglers. Which makes me wonder: does every comedian at every festival do jokes about jugglers..? In the Film & Music Tent, there's Dunya Dinlemiyor, a Turner Prize nominated installation featuring a collection of Turkish Smiths' fans performing karaoke of their favourite Morrissey/Marr hits. It's quite touching, seeing these people sing their hearts out in front of the camera. Then it's back out, and another stroll. I see people dressed as cats, men in skirts, didgeridoo players and the usual array of colourful festival freaks. Farah got some great pictures, too. SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE SPOTTED AT LATITUDE BETWEEN 1pm AND 2pm ** Richard Curtis. He wrote Blackadder and Four Weddings & A Funeral. He is possibly richer than most A list rock stars. ** Don Letts. He practically invented the punky reggae party, don't you know. He was spotted crossing a bridge, sporting very impressive dreads. ** Pat Mills. The man who created Judge Dredd, which makes him a Cultural Legend. This is quite exciting, in a geeky comic fan way. ** The Hold Steady. Ambling through the site, carrying their equipment. And pushing a wheel barrow. This is rock news. Later, I hope to see Dylan Moran in the Comedy Arena, and Roger McGough is broadcasting a special edition of his Radio 4 show, Poetry, Please, which I'd like to catch. Off, now, to see Annuals. More later!
Or, what I did this morning at Latitude. Despite feeling relatively delicate today (ah, bless the pear cider), a gentle stroll round the Latitude site does wonders for the constitution.
Here comes the night…
Or the stuff that happens after dark. I'm reporting on Latitude's nocturnal shenanigans, the prime focus of which is Sean Rowley and his Guilty Pleasures empire. Running across all three nights in the Comedy tent (very apt) from 10.30 to 3am, it's the mecca for prety much everyone still standing. Of course, you're either a fan or not. Look away now, if the following information is likely to cause offence: Five records played in the Guilty Pleasures tent between 12.20 and 12.40: Elton John & Kiki Dee -- Don't Go Breaking My Heart Irene Cara -- What A Feeling George Michael -- Faith Salt n Peppa -- Push It Starship -- We Built This City Crap, of course, but great fun -- possibly the perfect late night festival knees up. I also find some chaps in the woods, near the Sunrise Arena, pumping out House music on a rickety little stage. It's one of the great things about this festival -- it's deceptively small, and you think you've spotted everything there is, and then you just stumble across something enterprising happening somewhere you least expect it. Anyway, more later. Off to get some breakfast now...
Or the stuff that happens after dark. I’m reporting on Latitude’s nocturnal shenanigans, the prime focus of which is Sean Rowley and his Guilty Pleasures empire.
Latitude!
This weekend Uncut is coming live from the Latitude Festival, and you can keep up to speed with all the latest news and reviews by visiting our dedicated site for the fest here – Latitude
Welcome Back To Latitude Festival – Day Two
Latitude Festival day two (July 14) is getting underway, basked in sunshine and the smell of cooking meats across the campsite. Last night, Damien Rice brought the main stage to a close, with a special rendition of Bob Dylan's classic "I Shall Be Released." Damien was joined onstage by The Magic Number's Romeo Stodart putting in his third appearance of the day - after playing the Obelisk stage himself and guesting with Midlake earlier too. Day two will see hyperactive and colourful Brazillian's CSS play the Obelisk stage before Damon Albarn's indie supergroup The Good, The Bad And The Queen headline tonight. Our favourite 10th birthday-party-playing band The Hold Steady are also playing the main stage today, and we're looking forward to another blistering performance. Craig Finn and co's super rise to glory is also evident in the fact that the band are playing live for Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' programme being filmed backstage. Also guesting on the show this morning with them are legendary music film-maker Don Letts and actor Ian Hart. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures. Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude Highlights across Latitude's four stages today are: Obelisk Arena The Good, The Bad And The Queen CSS Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Hold Steady Bat For Lashes Uncut Arena Rodrigo Y Gabriela Rickie Lee Jones Joan as Policewoman Seasick Steve Elvis Perkins Sunrise Arena I’m From Barcelona Wheat Stephanie Dosen Lake Stage Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip Friendly Fires Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong Monkey Swallows the Universe
Latitude Festival day two (July 14) is getting underway, basked in sunshine and the smell of cooking meats across the campsite.
Last night, Damien Rice brought the main stage to a close, with a special rendition of Bob Dylan’s classic “I Shall Be Released.”
Damien was joined onstage by The Magic Number’s Romeo Stodart putting in his third appearance of the day – after playing the Obelisk stage himself and guesting with Midlake earlier too.
Day two will see hyperactive and colourful Brazillian’s CSS play the Obelisk stage before Damon Albarn’s indie supergroup The Good, The Bad And The Queen headline tonight.
Our favourite 10th birthday-party-playing band The Hold Steady are also playing the main stage today, and we’re looking forward to another blistering performance.
Craig Finn and co’s super rise to glory is also evident in the fact that the band are playing live for Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ programme being filmed backstage. Also guesting on the show this morning with them are legendary music film-maker Don Letts and actor Ian Hart.
Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up-to-date blogs, news and pictures.
Check out the special Uncut Latitude blog here throughout the day Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Highlights across Latitude’s four stages today are:
Obelisk Arena
The Good, The Bad And The Queen
CSS
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Hold Steady
Bat For Lashes
Uncut Arena
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Rickie Lee Jones
Joan as Policewoman
Seasick Steve
Elvis Perkins
Sunrise Arena
I’m From Barcelona
Wheat
Stephanie Dosen
Lake Stage
Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
Friendly Fires
Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Monkey Swallows the Universe
Uncut’s Ten Favourite Things At Latitude On Friday
So after much heated debate, here are our favourite things from the first day at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival:
Damien Rice Closes Latitude Day One
Damien Rice has just brought a thrilling and surprisingly sunny first day of Latitude Festival to a close. Other artists who caused a stir included perennial Uncut-favourites Wilco, New Young Pony Club, Midlake and, on Uncut's own stage, the astonishing desert blues of Tinariwen. Across the field we have been entertained all day with poetry, cabaret, film and comedy as well as music. Mark Steel and Bill Bailey stood out from the comedy arena and had the audience in stitches. Other musical highlights from today have been Two Gallants, Alberta Cross, The Magic Numbers and Maps. We're looking forward to tomorrow where Uncut's birthday party band The Hold Steady are performing in the Obelisk Arena, and Rodrigo y Gabriela will be headlining our Uncut Arena. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Damien Rice has just brought a thrilling and surprisingly sunny first day of Latitude Festival to a close.
Other artists who caused a stir included perennial Uncut-favourites Wilco, New Young Pony Club, Midlake and, on Uncut’s own stage, the astonishing desert blues of
Tinariwen.
Across the field we have been entertained all day with poetry, cabaret, film and comedy as well as music. Mark Steel and Bill Bailey stood out from the comedy arena and had the audience in stitches.
Other musical highlights from today have been Two Gallants, Alberta Cross, The Magic Numbers and Maps.
We’re looking forward to tomorrow where Uncut’s birthday party band The Hold Steady are performing in the Obelisk Arena, and Rodrigo y Gabriela will be headlining our Uncut Arena.
Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Where are all the Brazilians..?
Making our way into the depths of the woods, to the Sunrise Arena, we half expected to be assaulted by a Jack o’ the Green, or some ancient, primal force of nature.
Wilco: what an amazing band!
Damn, what a band! I’ve seen Wilco so many times over the years, but they never cease to knock me sideways. And one of the great things – one of the many great things, actually – about tonight’s show at Latitude is that the audience is not one of those over-reverential and often weird crowds that have frequently freaked out Jeff Tweedy when he’s visited the UK.
Tinariwen: from the desert to Suffolk
Not many stars spotted here as yet, but I did just see a dragonfly in the bogs, which was moderately impressive. I was on my way to the Uncut tent, where Tinariwen played a tremendous set.
Wilco Take Latitude By Storm
Jeff Tweedy and Wilco played an extraordinary set on the first night of the Latitude Festival in Norfolk. Second on the bill on the main stage, the band played ten songs in an energetic and often euphoric set. A few spots of rain began to fall as Wilco started, prompting a rueful Tweedy to note, "It was a lovely day 'til we got here. I apologise." The show, however, disproved the popular notion that Tweedy and Wilco are introverted and depressive as a band. Instead, their set focused on raging and often very noisy rock'n'roll, with lead guitarist Nels Cline often taking charge. Wilco played: 1 You Are My Face 2 I Am Trying To Break Your Heart 3 Shot In The Arm 4 Side With The Seeds 5 Via Chicago 6 Handshake Drugs 7 Impossible Germany 8 Walken 9 I'm The Man Who Loves You 10 Spiders (Kidsmoke) Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude Pic credit: Andy Willsher
Jeff Tweedy and Wilco played an extraordinary set on the first night of the Latitude Festival in Norfolk. Second on the bill on the main stage, the band played ten songs in an energetic and often euphoric set.
A few spots of rain began to fall as Wilco started, prompting a rueful Tweedy to note, “It was a lovely day ’til we got here. I apologise.”
The show, however, disproved the popular notion that Tweedy and Wilco are introverted and depressive as a band. Instead, their set focused on raging and often very noisy rock’n’roll, with lead guitarist Nels Cline often taking charge.
Wilco played:
1 You Are My Face
2 I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
3 Shot In The Arm
4 Side With The Seeds
5 Via Chicago
6 Handshake Drugs
7 Impossible Germany
8 Walken
9 I’m The Man Who Loves You
10 Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Pic credit: Andy Willsher
Tinariwen Rock Latitude
Tinariwen proved to be one of the hits of Friday at the Latitude Festival, when they brought their desert blues to Uncut's own stage. The Malian band are Tuareg nomads from the Sahara, and received a rapturous reception for their 40-minute set, much closer to rock'n'roll than many world music acts. Dressed in flowing robes, they played songs from their two albums for World Circuit, with three guitars creating a sound reminiscent of The Grateful Dead. Other highlights at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival have been Midlake, Two Gallants, Candie Payne and The Magic Numbers. Headliners tonight include Wilco, Damien Rice, Patrick Wolf and New Young Pony Club. Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude Pic credit: Andy Willsher
Tinariwen proved to be one of the hits of Friday at the Latitude Festival, when they brought their desert blues to Uncut’s own stage.
The Malian band are Tuareg nomads from the Sahara, and received a rapturous reception for their 40-minute set, much closer to rock’n’roll than many world music acts. Dressed in flowing robes, they played songs from their two albums for World Circuit, with three guitars creating a sound reminiscent of The Grateful Dead.
Other highlights at the Uncut-sponsored Latitude Festival have been Midlake, Two Gallants, Candie Payne and The Magic Numbers. Headliners tonight include Wilco, Damien Rice, Patrick Wolf and New Young Pony Club.
Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Pic credit: Andy Willsher
Speed dating, comedy and Being Wild
Just got on site for my second year at Latitude. In some ways, not much has changed -- there's the familiar stroll down through the woods, passed the coloured sheep and over the lake -- but the crowd seems a lot younger this year. I guess this is due to the bigger acts they've attracted -- I'm really looking forward to seeing Wilco, Jarvis Cocker, and The Good, The Bad And The Queen, I've gotta say. There's even, I notice, a Speed Dating tent. Sadly, the next sitting isn't for another hour and I feel the need to wander in the direction of the Film & Music Arena. Maybe I'll try it out tomorrow... My final memory of the F&M Arena last year was dancing to dub-step at about one in the morning, after a particularly lengthy stint on the pear cider. This year, the arena has a much more genteel vibe. There's tables and chairs arranged to resemble, I assume, an arts theatre bar, with soft lights and table cloths. It kinda resembles a make-shift trattoria, I have to say. But I settle down and catch Carol Morley, director of the documentary The Alcohol Years, who's talking through some of her favourite films -- including the Maysles Brothers' Grey Gardens. I then see a bit of Ed Simpson soundtracking Wong Kar Wai's Days Of Being Wild. A great film, but the sight of Ed standing by the screen, occasionally pressing keys on his laptop, somewhat detracts from Kar Wai's majesterial, dreamlike visions. Off to the comedy tent where I catch excellent Kiwi comic Ben Hurley, who does a fine job of insulting Australians, Americans, South Africans and us Brits. His sharp, deceptively earthy sense of humour is engaging, and he's spot on, too, about music. "I love the Beastie Boys," he muses. "Nothing suits hip hop better than three Jewish guys in the 40s..." Anyway, John's just got back from seeing the mighty Tinarewen and is frantically battering away at his keyboard over the way, so check in for his blog. Back later!
Just got on site for my second year at Latitude. In some ways, not much has changed — there’s the familiar stroll down through the woods, passed the coloured sheep and over the lake — but the crowd seems a lot younger this year.
Midlake Joined By Special Guest At Latitide
Midlake have just played the Latitude Festival main Obelisk stage, to a hazy sunny crowd. The Magic Numbers' singer Romeo Stoddart joined Midlake vocalist Tim Smith for the second track, after a shaky, sound issues start on the runing-late stage. Introduced as "My friend Romeo," Smith and Stoddart collaborated for Midlake's new single "Roscoe." Fellow Magic Number Angela Gannon, watched Romeo's appearance from the front of the crowd, ahead of their own bands appearance on the Obelisk stage after Midlake. Sounding very Fleetwood Mac-y, Smith declared to the audience with delight that they've "heard they now get played in strip clubs." He chuckles and says "Hey we can't get in the Top 10, but we can do that!" Midlake then played a new a song, Tim Smith saying that 'Children Of The Ground' will "probably appear on the next album. Midlake finished the hazy sunny set with a soaring version of their hit single from last year, 'Head Home.' Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Midlake have just played the Latitude Festival main Obelisk stage, to a hazy sunny crowd.
The Magic Numbers’ singer Romeo Stoddart joined Midlake vocalist Tim Smith for the second track, after a shaky, sound issues start on the runing-late stage.
Introduced as “My friend Romeo,” Smith and Stoddart collaborated for Midlake’s new single “Roscoe.”
Fellow Magic Number Angela Gannon, watched Romeo’s appearance from the front of the crowd, ahead of their own bands appearance on the Obelisk stage after Midlake.
Sounding very Fleetwood Mac-y, Smith declared to the audience with delight that they’ve “heard they now get played in strip clubs.” He chuckles and says “Hey we can’t get in the Top 10, but we can do that!”
Midlake then played a new a song, Tim Smith saying that ‘Children Of The Ground’ will “probably appear on the next album.
Midlake finished the hazy sunny set with a soaring version of their hit single from last year, ‘Head Home.’
Uncut is at Latitude Festival all weekend bringing you up to date blogs, news and pictures. Click here for the special Uncut Latitude blog Uncut.co.uk/latitude
Alberta Cross
I just found one of the coolest stages I can remember seeing at a British festival. There’s a lake in the middle of Latitude, and a densely wooded slope that runs down to it. Somewhere fairly deep into these woods is the Sunrise Stage, and it’s here that I find Alberta Cross.