Returning to Austin, Texas for the first time since 2007, MIDLAKE (pictured above) will be headlining the Bella Union / 4AD showcase at Buffalo Billiards for SXSW on Thursday 18 March. Other artists we are proud to present are Lawrence Arabia, Mountain Man, and Heidi Spencer and the Rare Birds, while 4AD present the fabulous Efterklang and Broken Records.

Bella Union boss Simon Raymonde says: “it feels really good to be working with 4AD on this show given my long association with them.” Raymonde’s former life was of course with Cocteau Twins who released 7 albums with 4AD in the 80s and 90s.

With Lawrence Arabia’s new album coming out on Bella Union in USA in March, and Mountain Man, an all-girl trio from Vermont, causing all sorts of blog love-ins across the globe, the wonderful Heidi Spencer and the Rare Birds, and of course Midlake’s much-anticipated return, your Thursday evening is now taken care of… info below…

Buffalo Billiards (201 E 6th St) (21+)

Bella Union / 4AD Showcase:

8pm   Heidi Spencer & the Rare Birds – http://www.myspace.com/heidileighspencer

9pm   Mountain Man – http://www.myspace.com/mountainmansquint

10pm  Lawrence Arabia – http://www.myspace.com/lawrencearabia

11pm  Efterklang – http://www.myspace.com/efterklang

12am  Broken Records – http://www.myspace.com/brokenrecordsedinburgh

1am   Midlake – http://www.myspace.com/midlake

Want More?

1. Fenech-Soler, Memory Tapes & Wave Machines SXSW shows announced
2. The Kissaway Trail Announce UK Tour
3. Midlake to play Rough Trade East show and more dates announced

Former Delgados frontwoman Emma Pollock’s first solo album, ‘Watch The Fireworks’ was a collection of tight pop songs; instantly accessible, however perhaps without quite enough depth to warrant a place alongside her old band’s best. Final track, ‘The Optimist’, hinted at progression into a definitive solo voice, and ‘The Law Of Large Numbers’ starts where that left. The piano led ‘House On The Hill’ gives Pollock’s vocal time and space to become her prime instrument, and indeed, the whole LP has a greater feeling of space than anything previous. Pollock has always done a brilliant line in sounding defiant and heartbroken simultaneously, and ‘I Could Be A Saint’, and LP standout ‘Nine Lives‘ subscribe very much to this brief, with the latter’s woodwind part an unexpected and thrilling addition. Pollock has recently been gigging with folkies Karine Polwart and Alasdair Roberts, and atmospherically, if perhaps not sonically, this album will not be alien to any fans of theirs. For any songwriter to come out of a 10 year association with a band (let alone one as fantastic as The Delgados) and then establish themselves as their own artist takes time, however Pollock is well along the way, and keeping the quality-meter high as she goes.

No related posts.

SUBSOURCE SAY – “Four years ago, 20 miles south of central London, four people went into a studio to start a war.  Fucked off with so-called live dance acts mincing behind laptops, and rock acts with no more substance than the product in their hair we decided things had to change.”

The snarl of Punk, the oscillating sub bass of dubstep, the harrowing melody of coldwave all had to be in there with as much of electronica’s glitches and edits, hip-hop’s flows, the galloping ferocity of drum’n’bass and metal as possible. No subgenre’s safe from the “treatment.”  The vivisection becomes complete when firing up the live beast. Amalgamated from double bass, synths, drums, guitars, and vocals, like an amphetamised Rottweiler running riot through a free warehouse party, tearing holes in speaker cones, our live shows leave saucer eyed audiences writhing in sweat-drenched ecstasy.

This is not a war of conflict but a war of unification.  Ravers throw shapes, as Rockers bang heads, and Rude Bois throw their hands in the air. Subsource are a Beat and Bass driven Rock act representing the underground UK dance music scene.  No treaty will be signed and the occupation will be total.”

Following October’s release of crowd favourite ‘The Reason (Parasite)’, Subsource’s electro, metal and unique take on dubstep (Substep anyone?) influences come to the fore on the socially charged track ‘The Ides’. This single will be released on 29th March with album ‘Tales From The Doombox’ set for release on 5th April. This ethos flows into the band’s art with the album cover for ‘Tales From The Doombox’ being a piece by street artist Faith47, who’s been dubbed the ‘South African Banksy’. The cover’s inscription statement of ‘build you up to tear us down’ reflects the nature of a self sufficient band who have fashioned lyrical paeans to the true accounts of island tribes fighting off oil companies. But it’s not all work and no play. A nod to their dance roots inspired them to create the Subsource iPhone rave app, complete with flashing glow stick and lighter, not that you’ll find many tender moments in a Subsource live set…

Catch the band’s exuberant live show at the following dates –

11th March – Hoxton Underbelly, London Onstage 9pm

12th March – Queen of Hoxton, London
16th March – Monarch, Camden, London Onstage 8.30pm
22nd – Water Rats, London Onstage 9pm
27th March – Wonka, Monkey Bar, Swansea
17th April – The Brickyard, Carlisle
19th June – Globe Theatre – Hay on Wye
25th September – The Big Noise, Swansea

Want More?

1. Subsource to release album in April
2. Subsource- ‘The Reason’
3. Chase & Status announce live dates

After the much-lauded success of previous single ‘Up All Night’, Milwaukee brothers the French Horn Rebellion return, with Brazilian mates Database,  with an EP based around one firecracker of a single, ‘Beaches & Friends’. Cheesy vocals and plonking keys lead us into a real beach party of a song—a beach party, that is, populated by blonde bimbos and grinning Ibiza DJs. Yes, ‘Beaches & Friends’ is aptly titled. And yet, as the track continues and you begin to tap your feet like an insane puppet, strings pulled by French Horn Rebellion, you realise that there is absolutely no stopping the euphoric rollercoaster that is ‘Beaches & Friends’. The backing vocals are as infectious as anything you’d find in the worlds of dance or pop, while the track is so summery, it should actually have been illegal to put it out as a single while we’re still in March. Meanwhile, the EP slides down-tempo with ‘New Florida’ but doesn’t let up on the groove, with big, ethereal vocals and some cracking synths. And there are the usual array of remixes of the title track. Stirring synthtastic stuff, lads.

Want More?

1. French Horn Rebellion NYC show gets closed down
2. Friends & Foes EP – Isaac’s Aircraft
3. Isaac’s Aircraft New EP ‘Friends & Foes’

Lincoln has never really been a myriad cauldron of musical ingenuity. For all its picturesque views and historic timelines, Lincoln’s musical history is one of the most nondescript you‘re likely to cast your wandering eye upon. But with the city’s new foremost venue The Engine Shed in the hub of the University campus there seems to be a newfound ardour igniting Lincolns dormant musicians.

So we come onto a band that has risen from the smouldering ashes of their previous defunct bands that frequented Lincoln‘s diminutive musical havens to no avail. This band is Lost Souls. Now they’re stalking London, Manchester, Liverpool et al. Having finished their debut EP this stylistic pleasing-on-the-eye bunch with a penchant for swirling hypnotic electro layers are yearning for more grandeur auditoriums. Their roots lie primarily with indie music, the production has a zealous affluence to it and their crowd are evolving as fast as the band are.

Amongst all of this bravado is of the course the band, and they are;

Sam Warner – Vocals
Mick McKiernan – Bass, Guitars
Andy Brown – Guitar
Tom Wilkins – Drums
Tommie Wincott – Live Production, Electronica

We caught up with frontman Sam Warner on the Shout4Music sofa for an insight into why Lost Souls are garnering so much support of late…

Hey Lost Souls, talk us through the events of your day so far?
Hey how you doing. Today has been really cool we played a warm up show of our new set that we are taking to the shows on this little tour starting at the Water Rats on Saturday. We’ve been sound checking, kicking back, back stage in the Green Room, emptying the fridge of the rider…and generally having a good crack. We’ve got a young fan with us all day she’s only 9 so she has been our entertainment for the day, ‘you were very funny little miss’  its been a top day…..the show was great the kids really had it with us, it was special… so its  been cool.

For our readers that are unfamiliar with you describe the band’s sound in four words…
Heavy, anthemic, dark & dirty.

Where was your name derived from? The eponymous Doves debut maybe? Or even the novel by Poppy.Z Brite?
Well, The Doves album is a brilliant, brilliant album by a band  we love, but the name is just one of those things that came around and fits for too many reasons to get into. After all we’re all lost souls aren’t we?

You were all in local bands before the birth of Lost Souls. What made you steer away from the likes of Live Riot and Recruit?
Lost Souls came around naturally in terms of getting together, we all had bands going on at some point but no one thought ‘right I’m not having this we gotta try summit else’, it was some things dying and some things being born, just timing and a little bit of fate. I don’t think you get a choice, some things just seem to be….

You’ve been garnering support of late around your hometown Lincoln. Is it due to your hard work ethic? Or, do you think the music has started to infiltrate the local indie scenester’s peripherals?
It’s both man, without doubt! You can’t make people take notice if ultimately the substance is not there! You gotta be aware of that and if something is good people usually know. But you gotta put it out there, if it isn’t there you don’t see it, if your passionate about something then you normally wanna share it…it’s just that, that passion is also a product in this case and products need marketing. So many good bands will drop under the radar because they are not savvy to get there promotion heads on and see the gaps. It’s a shame because we all miss out on so much real music.

You’ve got a mini tour around the countries quaint music Mecca’s, any shows that you’re particularly looking forward to?
All the shows on this small tour are gonna be great because there the first little slew of shows together the band has done and we feel like we are maturing with every one we do. They’re all great venues for unsigned breaking bands and we are made up all the promoters, bookers are feeling what we are about. It’s real early for us as a band and as you pointed out earlier we been in the game a long time, with other bands individually so we are aware that there is something that feels special about Lost Souls. That on its own is a strong, strong vibe to have collectively and we take it on stage. So, like I said these first shows are shaping what we do next…..

Have you announced who’s supporting you at any of the dates?
No, to be honest we didn’t wanna headline these shows as we wanna earn our place and to do that we gotta to win people over in a live environment. You gotta remember this is the first time we are playing each of these big city’s and they probably don’t know Lincoln let alone Lost Souls. But they will do when they have seen us, an then we grow. We do however headline the Night and Day Cafe in Manchester on their request so we will see how that goes….

Give us an insight into who’s getting airtime on the LS iPod at the minute…
Well for me I’m bang into some rare John Lennon stuff lately I found, it’s nuts he is just recording in this apartment in Dakota, doing some really far out shit. Other than that I been listening to a bit of Florence she is cool, ‘In Rainbows (by Radiohead), Recruit and been hitting ‘War Stories’ by Unkle hard since it came out. They are mega for me and that album catches me every time. It’s heavy and its dark, it smashes me up.

The last band you went to see that made you dance?
Haha, Doves actually at the Engine Shed (Lincoln), they were having it, and Michael (Lost Souls bass player) met Jimmi Goodwin after the show on there bus and he was totally cool as we thought he would be. Michael gave him our record he mentioned our name obviously and was real genuine in his respect. The Doves left Lincoln listening to Lost Souls now that is cool.

The musician that changed the way you dressed?
Well that’s a tough one for me.  I’m not sure, couldn’t say I think its not a case of someone but something’s. I’m influenced by stuff I consider to be genuine and not forced…..I’m a plain Jane me when it comes to cloth.

London or Manchester?
Manchester! Gotta be, we are Northerners at the end of the day.

Johnny Marr or John Squire?
John Squire for me

Doves or Elbow?
Ah man this is a tough one because I met Guy Garvey last year at an Oasis show and he was a top bloke, he too asked us about the name Lost Souls and mentioned the doves – who by the way he loves. But band wise I gotta say Doves for me, sorry Guy.

Koko or Brixton Academy?
Koko….I had one of the best nights out ever there and ended up drinking with Oasis’ road crew all night so special memories for me.

If you weren’t boasting about how good Lost Souls you’d be telling us about which other up-and-coming band?
Well we haven’t played with too many just yet so its hard to say unless you have seen someone live. Recruit are a great band and they are, our brothers too so respect to Recruit.

For each letter of the band’s name, name a band/artist that has inspired you, for instance the La’s, Ozzy osborne, Supergrass, Television etc.

Lennon
Orbital,
Sub Sub (Doves)
The Prodigy(for the T) …That’s technically cheating but we’ll let you off.

Stone roses,
Oasis ,
Unkle
La’s ,
Spiritualized

Aspirations for 2010?
2010 for us is gonna be great because that’s all it can be, its in our control. We just gotta enjoy what we are doing, keep writing, keep recording and put on the best shows that we can, the rest will follow. We know what it takes to be heard and we know we have something people can enjoy and connect too. We have the desire and  belief and that will show in our shows and in our music. We have got some great people around us working with us, and also a great growing support,  the momentum is ticking over nicely.

Peace and love LS

Lost Souls upcoming dates are;

Hope & Anchor                                 London                                 Mar 20

Zanzibar                                               Liverpool                             Apr 24

Water Rats                                          London                                 Apr 27

Dublin Castle                                      London                                 May 1

BBC Introducing                                Lincoln                                  May 14

Engine Shed                                       Lincoln                                  May 22

Riverside Festival                             Stamford                             Jul 3

Fake Festivals                                    Lincoln                                  Jul 24

Fake Festivals                                    Gainsborough                   Aug 7

Check the band out @ www.myspace.com/lostsouls5

Want More?

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3. Alberta Cross gig overtaken by Guns ‘N’ Roses

Sound of Guns have trudged their way through the intern ranks of BBC’s Introducing, leaving half-arsed bands in their wake. Now with a penchant for booming anthemic chorus’, raucous power chords and vocal dexterity it seems that the buzz is beginning to gather momentum. ‘Alcatraz’ is the first single from their forthcoming album that’s due for release later this year. Produced by Chris Potter (The Verve/U2), ‘Alcatraz’ boasts a boisterous zeal to its  rock sheen. Accessible, radio-friendly rock that’s seen them secure a touring spot with the erudite Adam Green and a slot at Dubai’s Sound City festival. ‘Alcatraz’ is by no means impenetrable like it’s namesake prison, but I’m not saying you’ll be able to escape from their walls of noise once you’ve entered it either…

Want More?

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3. ‘59 Sound – The Gaslight Anthem

Now very much a prevalent fixture in UK’s hip hop circles, Scroobius Pip and his beat master extraordinaire dan le sac have returned with this, their sophomore album ‘The Logic of Chance’. The Essex double act begin here, where they finished on their debut ‘Angles’- spitting winsome rhymes on a fountain of deep bass. The first single taken from this album, the Italo-disco ‘Get Better’ is a refulgent tail on nurturing one’s self without falling into pregnancy traps and reaching out to kids “but not in a Daily Mail way” as Scroobs wittingly trips. But where ‘Angles’ had the hits; ‘Thou Shalt Always Kill’ and the album’s namesake track, it’s hard to see where they’ve recreated that winning formula. ‘Great Britain’ casts a sword over the growing gestation of knife crime in the present day, ‘Sick Tonight’ sees Pip at his most rabid over a backlash of bleeps and glitches. ‘Cauliflower’ ensues a more accessible melancholy tone to it, underpinned by the Micachu-like vocals slurs of U.S rapper Kid A. In short though, that’s the tail-of-the-tape, le sac and Pip –not for the want of trying- are unable to snap their rhymes cosily around your laughing and gyrating carcass as ‘Angles’ comfortably executed. It’s a little too abrasive but still the prophecy of Scroobius Pip’s intelligence stabs proves a worthwhile aural treat.

Want More?

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3. dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip – ‘Get Better’

Choosing a life on a tour bus over university (well, there’s less debt involved in being a rock star, one would hope), Cambridge’s Violet Bones have honed their skills through packed gigs in their home town’s Corn Exchange and tours with the likes of the New York Dolls. With their indie spiky enough to verge on punk, Violet Bones offer up a sound that’s obviously influenced by the likes of The Libertines, but with enough attitude to get to those Green Day fans out there who still hanker after a time when ‘Basket Case’ was the order of the day. ‘I Feel The Need’, their debut single, sees Violet Bones churning out raw, yet catchy, sing-a-long fodder, complete with lyrics charting the trials and tribulations of everyday life and the situations we find ourselves in. The whole thing rattles along, bursting with energy and robustness but without offering anything particularly new or inspiring but Violet Bones seem to have found a winner amongst the masses with their simple indie-punk formula.

Want More?

1. A Fool For Everyone – Mike Bones
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Fresh from tours with the likes of The Wildhearts, melodic rockers Circle of One hit the ground running with their first full-length. Tracks like ‘Everyday Miracles’ boast some great anthemic choruses, big bombastic affairs which will sound pretty spectacular being screamed exuberantly from a hundred sweaty fans in a mosh pit. Meanwhile, check those metal stylings and neat riffing on ‘Power Of One’. Album opener ‘Tied To The Machine’ is frantic, desperate even, and though its subject matter—governmental incompetence—may be a bit hack-eyed, it sets the scene nicely for an album full of passionate rock with vocals reminiscent of Chris Cornell. A bit of fine-tuning wouldn’t have gone amiss here, as some efforts feel overly ambitious or a little undisciplined. But what abounds on this release is sheer potential. This may sound like a cliché comment from some X Factor judge—for which this writer is truly sorry—but Circle of One really do have that ‘raw talent’ that should lead them to some success in the not too distant future. They certainly know when they’ve written a tasty hook, and it’s this craft that provides ‘Tied To The Machine’ with a host of stand-out moments.

Want More?

1. Florence + The Machine – ‘Lungs’
2. Florence And The Machine
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Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5^th Edition on 15-18^th July 2010 set in the beautiful countryside of Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast.

Celebrating its fifth year, Latitude continues to lead the way as a bold and pioneering festival cherry-picking the very best from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret and bringing them together for one glorious weekend. It is a place like no other; an intimate world away from reality that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be whilst indulging in the spirit of exploration and discovery.

Building on its reputation as one of the most respected and highly anticipated events of the season, 2010 promises to be an inspirational and entertaining, sophisticated and scintillating weekend. Day and night, Latitude will boast an eclectic array of acts spread throughout the site with all manner of unexpected pleasures hidden around every corner. With over 700 performers to be announced over the coming months and a wealth of other weird and wonderful delights to be discovered – it is shaping up to be another spectacular slice of unadulterated cultural fun and adventure.

Festival Republic Managing Director, Melvin Benn says:

“Five glorious years on and Latitude Festival continues to be everything I wanted it to be.  The breadth and calibre of programming across the arts and music consistently astounds me and I am delighted that Latitude has earned its place as a festival of choice for many.  With an incredible wealth of talent joining us at Henham Park year on year, Latitude holds its unique position in the festival season.

It is indeed a very special weekend.”

~ MUSIC ARENAS ~

Showcasing a wealth of diverse musical talent, Latitude’s four dedicated arenas provide a unique and perfect soundtrack to the weekend’s festivities. Across the Obelisk, The Word and Sunrise Arenas and the Lake Stage, the very best in both emerging and established bands and performers will play throughout the weekend. In the past Latitude has seen such spellbinding performances from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Tindersticks, Sigur R?s, Arcade Fire, Blondie, Amadou & Mariam, dEUS, Glasvegas and has helped propel up and coming acts like The xx and Marina & The Diamonds into the spotlight. Across the four arenas, audiences can expect everything from rock to pop, indie to folk, electro to dance and world to jazz – whatever your taste, Latitude has it all.

Jon Dunn, Music Arenas Booker says:

“Year five…The first four Latitude festivals have left me with many highlights..Antony & Johnsons, Patti Smith, Arcade Fire, The Rapture, The Mars Volta, Blondie, Foals, White Lies, Thom Yorke, Joanna Newsom and Sigur Ros…..

I’m excited and honoured that such acts as Florence and the Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend will be headlining our main stage, meanwhile I feel that in The Word Arena we have the real essence of Latitude in The National, The xx and Grizzly Bear, acts that carve out their own niche and journey and who are taken on the brilliance of their music..”

~ OBELISK ARENA ~

~ Florence + The Machine ~ Belle and Sebastian ~ Vampire Weekend ~

~ Empire of the Sun ~ The Maccabees ~ Rodrigo y Gabriela ~

The Obelisk Arena has been the focal point for many of Latitude’s most memorable performances. Thom Yorke’s mesmerising Sunday noon set, Grace Jones’ blazingly colourful headlining slot, Regina Spektor’s whimsical elegance and Doves’ epic street-swept triumph are all highlights from last year’s main stage line-up. Once more you’ll be watching this year’s exceptional cast assembled under the sun or the stars, which lends to the natural ambience so many have come to expect from Latitude.

This year – Latitude’s music headliners are:

Florence + The Machine, led by flame haired songstress Florence Welch, had an incredible 2009. Beginning with winning the Critics’ Choice award at the Brits, Florence won the coveted South Bank Award, graced NME covers and was a constant visible presence throughout the year at festivals and other award ceremonies. Her stunning debut album ‘Lungs’ released in June last year was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and has since won another Brit for Best British Album. ‘Lungs’ reached Number 1 in January this year, having been in the Top 40 since its release. On a heady wave of popularity that shows no sign of stopping, her effortless rise sees her top the bill on Friday night at Latitude 2010 – in what will be Florence and her mighty Machine’s very first festival headline performance. With her potent, soaring anthems and confident stagecraft, Florence will light up the Obelisk Arena.

With barely contained excitement, it’s a pleasure to announce the end of these legendary Scottish heroes’ hiatus. Belle and Sebastian haven’t played live together since September 2006 and it’s been a long four years without them. The quirky and humorous songwriting of this indie collective is widely celebrated and the band is highly revered by their fervent fanbase. They were voted Scotland’s greatest ever band via a poll by The List magazine back in 2005, assuring their beyond-cult status. With a brand new album, the follow up to 2006’s ‘The Life Pursuit’, soon to arrive, 2010 is bound to be a big year for Stuart Murdoch and co. It’s sure to be topped off, no doubt, by their Saturday night headline slot – one of Latitude’s most highly anticipated performances so far.

Literate New York quartet Vampire Weekend have exceeded all expectations with the release of their second album ‘Contra’, in January. It did the unthinkable and reached the top of the US Billboard Chart, a phenomenal success, coming only four years since their inception. Their afro-beat inspired tropical jangle, synonymous with a new breed of intelligent collegiate pop, has now reached mainstream success. With two inspired pop records under their belt plus a reputation for scintillating live shows, Vampire Weekend have earned their headline slot and we are proud to announce them as Latitude’s Sunday bill topper.

Luke Steele’s electronic synth-pop outfit Empire of the Sun has been embraced by a wide range of fans, young and old, with its timeless and infectious feel. Taking time away from his usual day job, The Sleepy Jackson, Luke has crafted a debut album of futuristic carnival ditties with elegantly crafted melodies and warped keyboard soundscapes. Empire of the Sun’s slot on the Friday night is sure to entice and enrapture with selections from their debut, Walking on a Dream.

Brighton’s finest The Maccabees join the Obelisk Arena’s line up for Saturday night. This indie-rock five-piece have gone from strength to strength in the three years since their debut album ‘Colour It In’ hit the Top 40 charts. Their youthful and vibrant music has won them a legion of fans and their recent second album ‘Wall of Sound’ released last year earned them critical acclaim from Steve Lamacq, Zane Lowe and NME.

The spellbinding musical brilliance of Rodrigo y Gabriela comes to Latitude Festival, to play the Obelisk Arena on Sunday night. Specialising in fast, rhythmic acoustic guitars, Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are masters of fret-board wizardry straddling both world and rock with obvious Hispanic influences. Passionate yet melodic, the fire in their playing comes from their life-long love of metal music and they often cover Metallica and Led Zeppelin in their live performances. Gaining a burgeoning cult following since their inception in 2001 their recent album ’11:11’ has pushed them further into the mainstream prompting appearances on American TV and Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. Their performance at Latitude will be an absolute must!

~ THE WORD ARENA ~

~ The National ~ The xx ~ Grizzly Bear ~

~ Charlotte Gainsbourg ~ The Horrors ~

Inside the deceptively large canopy that comprises The Word Arena will be an amazing set of alternative artists crossing genre boundaries seamlessly. You’ll discover a host of fresh and exciting acts from across the spectrum. Last year included the lavish melodies of Bat For Lashes, a wall of light and sound created by the incredible Spiritualized, the spiky post-punk thrash of Magazine and the tribal drum passion of husband and wife duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums. The Word Arena is bound to satiate both the esoteric music fan and the casual passer-by as they enjoy these introductions to their new favourite sounds.

Latitude is proud to welcome Brooklyn-based indie rock outfit The National to The Word Arena. The Friday night headliners’ unmistakable sound coupled with lead singer Matt Berninger’s distinctive baritone vocal and a career now spanning over a decade will make this a must-see performance. With a new record to be released in May you can expect the band to have reached even greater heights when this headline performance comes to pass.

The xx have to be one of the success stories of Latitude’s short but prominent history. The Wandsworth three-piece performed an early afternoon set on The Lake Stage in 2009 and this year sees their return headlining The Word Arena on Saturday night. With the band’s debut album ‘xx’ only arriving in August of last year NME has already placed the record at #2 on their ‘50 Best Albums of 2009’ with Rolling Stone also placing it at #9 in their ‘Best of the Year’ list in 2009. Catch one of the fastest rising acts of the moment at The Word Arena.

Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear are set to bring their psychedelic folk/pop to Latitude closing The Word Arena on Sunday night. The headliners will be showcasing old favourites and material from 2009’s critically acclaimed ‘Veckatimest’ album which has brought the band mainstream success with its accessible pop overtones reaching a Top Ten position on the US Billboard 200 chart. Their ambitious, symphonic pop will be the perfect way to bring Latitude 2010’s Word Arena to a triumphant close.

The velvety vocals of French actress and singer-songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg will be soothing Latitude’s crowds with songs straight from her recent critically-acclaimed release IRM. As part of her very first tour, this performance will be exceptionally special as she brings her European chic and unshakable melodies drawn from renowned US songwriter Beck. Gainsbourg has also recently starred in the controversial and vivid Lars Von Trier masterpiece Antichrist.

Originating from Southend-on-Sea, black-clad quintet The Horrors formed in the summer of 2005 and quickly gained notoriety around London for their look, sound, and brief but frantic live shows.  They released their debut album Strange House in 2007, reaching number 37 on the UK Albums Chart, and not long after that a world tour followed. Their second album Primary Colours was released in 2009 and saw the band opt for a very different sound, mixing shoegaze, post-punk, and goth. The album reached number 25 in the UK album chart and was nominated for the 2009 Mercury Prize. NME later gave the album first place in the 50 Best Albums of 2009.

~ SUNRISE ARENA ~

A deliciously unexpected treat waits within the fragrant woods on the other side of the lake. The Sunrise Arena, situated along the nature trail spattered with flourishes of art and decadent spirit, is host to a splendid foray of new acts. Some of them will have been on the hushed lips of dedicated gem hunters for a while and others will be on the rise already, about to break for all to enjoy. With the likes of Band of Skulls, First Aid Kit and Local Natives rising steadily after last year’s appearances, The Sunrise Arena is the place to discover tomorrow’s stars today.  This year will see plenty of tasty morsels for those who like to be at the start of something very special.  

~ LAKE STAGE ~

curated by Huw Stephens

A few metres away from the crystal waters of Latitude’s central landscape feature, The Lake Stage provides tantalisingly early glimpses of Huw Stephens’ freshest tips. Latitude audiences are treated to a full parade of diverse and exhilarating bands about to be splashed across magazines up and down the country. Last year, critics’ favourites such as Golden Silvers, Bombay Bicycle Club and Pulled Apart By Horses have since enjoyed mainstream successes, proving Latitude is the perfect place to catch such rising stars. Take the opportunity to absorb the sounds of next year in the surrounds of Latitude’s exquisite Lake Stage.

Want More?

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2. Øya Festival 2010 add The XX and La Roux to this year’s bill
3. M.I.A and Paul Weller added to Øya Festival line up