Sam Campbell at the Comedy Arena
Sam Campbell’s comedy show at Latitude Festival was a whirlwind of laughter and unexpected twists. The 32-year-old comedian from Queensland, Australia, who has made a name for himself with his unique blend of stand-up and sketch comedy, brought his distinctive style to the packed-out tent. Known for winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show in 2022 and the award for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2018, as well as appearances on Taskmaster, Would I Lie to You and more, Campbell did not disappoint. Equipped with his sharp wit and offbeat humour, the audience were left in stitches, further forging his way to become a favourite in the comedy circuit.
Good Neighbours at the Sunrise Arena
Born out of the creative synergy between Oli Fox and Scott Verill in their East London studios, Good Neighbours emerged from a desire to create something positive and raw in a mellow music scene. Their standout performance at this year’s Latitude Festival stood as a nod to the early 2000s sound of Passion Pit and MGMT, with a blend of classic song-writing and raucous production that has managed to put the duo on the radar of indie fans all around the world. Taking over the Sunrise Arena, they wowed the crowd with favourites such as ‘Daisies’, ‘Keep It Up’, and of course their mega-hit ‘Home’, which famously blew up on social media and put the group in the industry’s limelight.
Circa: Humans 2.0 at the Theatre Arena
Humans 2.0 by Circa was an awe-inspiring display of acrobatics, sound, and light. Originally created by Yaron Lifschitz, the breath-taking show intimately explored the human condition, as ten performers began in perfect harmony, then transitioned into a trance-like state, building and dismantling human towers and pushing their physical limits. The performance, set to Ori Lichtik’s evocative music and enhanced by Paul Jackson’s dramatic lighting, posed profound questions about balance and adaptation, hypnotising the audience throughout and highlighting Circa’s cutting-edge approach to contemporary circus.
Keane at the Obelisk
Marking the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album, ‘Hopes and Fears’, Keane’s set at Latitude Festival was a triumphant celebration of their enduring legacy. Originating from Battle, East Sussex, the band performed with the same passion and honesty that has defined their music for two decades. Their setlist was a perfect mix of beloved hits and selections from their newer discography, but, of course, the big numbers such as ‘Everybody’s Changing’, ‘This Is the Last Time’ and the fan-favourite ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ had the crowd come alive. Lead singer Tom Chaplin’s emotive vocals, paired with the rest of the band’s poignant compositions, created an atmosphere charged with the shared love for their craft, making their performance a timeless highlight of the festival.
Dr. John Cooper Clarke at the Listening Post
Dr. John Cooper Clarke’s conversation at the Listening Post was a captivating insight into the life and mind of the Bard of Salford. Known as the Poet Laureate of Punk, Clarke took the audience on a journey with his wit, humour, and encyclopedic knowledge of popular culture. Discussing his new memoir, ‘I Wanna Be Yours’, Clarke recounted tales from his extraordinary life, featuring encounters with personalities like Nico, Chuck Berry, Bernard Manning, Joe Strummer, and modern collaborators such as Alex Turner and Guy Garvey, while his anecdotes provided a fascinating look into his rock and roll career. Overall, Clarke’s engaging storytelling and sharp commentary made for an enlightening and entertaining session, offering a deeper understanding of the man behind the poetry and his remarkable journey through the world of art and culture.
London Grammar at the Obelisk
Saturday at Latitude Festival came to a close with London Grammar’s headline show at the Obelisk and an entrancing musical walk down the path of their musical evolution and enduring appeal. The trio made up of lead vocalist Hannah Reid, guitarist Dan Rothman, and drummer and keyboardist Major initially burst onto the UK music scene in 2013, selling over two million copies of their debut album, ‘If You Wait’.
From their beginnings as university students in Nottingham, recording in Rothman’s family garage, to signing with Ministry of Sound, their rise was meteoric, as their blend of soulful electronics, techno-folk, and Reid’s powerful vocals has always been enchanting. Offering a stunning mix of old favourites paired with newer tracks and mesmerizing visuals, the group’s set was both intimate and epic, showcasing the same passion and authenticity that has always defined them. Ending the slot with their uber-hit ‘Strong’, performed by a fan who had been invited on stage by singer Reid, London Grammar’s show exuded the camaraderie and love for music that once started in a garage and left us longing for more.
