Damian Lewis and more join our line up!

Actor and musician Damian Lewis plays his biggest festival to date at Latitude 2024, plus we’re welcoming some artists to our Alcove and Sunrise Arena, hand-picked by BBC Music Introducing and First Light festival!

The announcement follows the success of his acclaimed debut album ‘Mission Creep’ last year and subsequent headline tour across the UK Released last year to critical acclaim, ‘Mission Creep’ is a testament to Lewis’s multifaceted talent, featuring standout tracks such as the debut single ‘Down On The Bowery’, the bluesy ‘Zaragoza’, and ‘She Comes’. The album, praised by The Daily Telegraph as “a rootsy, bluesy, folky, rocky set of songs about love and life.’

A festival appearance at Wilderness led to more live shows. Packed gigs at London’s The Tabernacle and Hoxton Hall resulted in glowing reviews from the crowds and the critics who described Lewis as “a compelling performer apparently in his element” (Telegraph ★★★★) as he “wowed the crowd” (Times ★★★★). A label battle for his signature ensued. Last year he played Deer Shed Festival and began his first headline tour.

Lewis wrote all of the original songs on the album during the first lockdown of the pandemic, allowing the continuation of a story that first began when Lewis, after leaving school, took to the road with his guitar and went busking through continental Europe. This experience has stayed with Damian ever since and is reflected on the album.

Once the songs were complete, Lewis presented them to his friend Giacomo Smith, one of today’s most exciting jazz musicians. Smith liked what he heard and gave Lewis all the encouragement he needed, offering to produce the album. Led by Lewis, the pair then set about putting a band together, with Smith introducing Lewis to an array of brilliant musicians, many of whom had played with Smith in the hugely loved and admired Kansas Smitty’s House Band.

Of performing at Latitude this year, Damian Lewis said,:

“Latitude Festival holds a very special place in my heart. It’s a festival we have attended as a family for years. There is something very magical about the festival; the site itself is glorious, and I’ve seen so many amazing artists there. From busking on the streets of Europe to gracing the stage at Latitude Festival, this musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. It’s a testament to the power of music and the unwavering support of my fans. This is undoubtedly the biggest show I’ve ever done, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity. The Latitude audience is incredibly special, and I cannot wait to perform with my brilliant band!”

 

We’re also excited to welcome five new music artists heading to Latitude this summer!

Courtesy of First Light festival in Lowestoft, Cam T and Finn Doherty join the line up. Cam T will open our Sunrise Arena on the Friday, whilst singer-songwriter Finn Doherty takes to our Alcove Stage.

BBC Music Introducing have also curated the opening acts on our Alcove – EV brings his 90s progressive dance-inspired beats to the Friday slot, multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer LOOME opens up on Saturday, and the alt-pop, synth-obsessed Samfire graces the stage on Sunday.