In true Latitude fashion, Thursday began with a whirlwind of emotions. From watching our three Children’s poetry competition winners recite their prize pieces on the Waterfront Stage followed by a lively Folk dance ceilidh jam to get the crowds up and grooving, the return of Transgressive Records’ takeover on our Sunrise Arena and the inaugural opening ceremony of the brand new Cosmic Shambles Forest, Henham Park buzzed with eclecticism and variety from the very beginning.
As the shiny gates to Henham Park opened for the 19th edition of Klarna presents Latitude, the feeling of anticipation and excitement was palpable. Here’s what went down at one of our favourite years yet…
Friday was blessed with golden weather from the get go. And what a day for it… from blistering sets on the Obelisk Arena from professional party-starters Basement Jaxx and a set filled to the brim with classic hits from our headliner Sting, to the long-awaited return of national treasure Greg Davies on our Comedy Arena.
Friday also saw a nature-themed takeover of our on-site Bookshop from beloved broadcaster Martha Kearney, a preview of renowned theatre-maker Bryony Kimmings’ first solo show in a decade, and the Latitude debut for the exceptional contemporary circus group Gravity & Other Myths, who left us completely mesmerised in the Theatre Arena.
Lovers of dance music rejoiced, as Saturday at Latitude belonged to Fatboy Slim. From a surprise Q&A with The Independent on our Listening Post, to his intoxicating two-hour headline set on our Obelisk Arena, to a secret 1AM DJ set in the woods, there was no stopping Norman Cook in his quest to take over Henham Park.
Across the festival, the energy was high. From a sensation run of performers on the Comedy Arena (including Marcus Brigstocke, Jordan Gray, Mark Watson, Sophie Duker, Kerry Godliman, Michelle Wolf and Reggie Watts, need we say more?) to the return of Kaiser Chiefs, Example and Clean Bandit keeping our feet firmly off the ground.
The Sunday of our 19th edition was a perfect conclusion to another wonderful weekend. Gareth Malone opened the Obelisk Arena with his second ever Latitude choir, a decade on from his first. 100 festival goers joined together on stage to create one of the weekend’s most special and uplifting moments. In fact, we wholeheartedly believe that it was their rendition of It’s Coming Home that later secured the win for our Lionesses…
Elsewhere across the festival, Sunday saw an abundance of big hitters take to the stage, ensuring the final day’s energy didn’t dip for even a second. Mika demonstrated his expert showmanship; London City Ballet brought their sleek and awe-inspiring movements to our Waterfront Stage; Elbow made their emotional and highly-anticipated return; Snow Patrol capped off the evening with one of the biggest singalongs of the weekend.
Now that our 19th edition has drawn to a close, we’re gearing up for a celebration two decades in the making… Join us in 2026 for our milestone 20th anniversary. Tickets are on sale now at the link below.