Latitude Thursday + Friday

So then, my third Latitude and the one that had (for me) the weakest line-up on paper...

Things did not get off to a particularly promising start - delays getting into the carpark and then into the campsite. Normally they happen like clockwork, but it seems like a lot more people have decided to arrive early on the Thursday this year. Still, not to worry, friends met and tents up we settle back for a beer or two and let the festival begin!

Opening the Friday on the Sunrise stage is Godwits who appeared to be absolutely petrified at the size of the crowd as they start. Despite the singer admitting his nerves they improve as the set wears on but never really manage to shine.

After a quick beer break we catch the second half of Rosie and the Goldbug who played some energetic indie pop accompanied by dancers dressed as gold bugs (do you see what they did there, etc?) and are a lot more livelier than Godwits.

Next up is one of the highlights of the first day, Broken Records who have improved on the Great Escape show we saw in May. They seem more confident than before and the result is a more powerful performance. Single "If the news makes you sad, don't watch it" is one of many highlights and if these guys don't make it to near the top of one of the main stages next year then the world is truly a cruel place.

Slow Club, by contrast, seem a little subdued compared to their Great Escape gig so we head off to the lake stage for Derwyddon Dr Gonzo who by some margin are the most fun band of the weekend. With a horn section dressed as superheroes (except one dressed as a nurse, for some reason!) and the rest of the band in a variety of different fancy dress outfits their welsh ska/funk gets a good sized crowd dancing along despite not knowing any of the words. Recent single Bwthion/Chaviach gets a good reception (and gets purchased by me on my return home!).

After that it's off to the main stage for Aliens who faff around a lot, play Robot man for about 15 minutes and don't play happy song... could have been good but aren't. Beth Orton is next on and does well despite playing a fair amount of new songs. Swears a lot too...

British Sea Power follow Beth and despite the addition of a Bulgarian choir they just don't recapture the energy of the Canvey Gig. It's hard to say why, but the band just never seemed to get going so I leave a little early and head for the lake stage.

..where I find Gideon Conn rapping away. I arrive just as he finishes my favourite song of his, I want you around, but the rest of the set is of a consistantly high quality with his witty lyrics and funky beats going down very well.

A quick bite to eat later and I head to Julian Cope who produces perhaps the most frustrating set of the festival (or indeed any festival)... comes on late, then after a slow start is just beginning to hit top form when he runs out of time... hopefully next time he'll be given a bit longer!

Leaving frustration behind I head back to the lake stage for the headliners, Errors who put on a suitably intense show. The usual description of them is a more electronic Mogwai which seems to be fair. I'll be seeing them supporting the aformentioned Mogwai in October so will say more then, except to add I'm looking forward to the support acts almost as much as the headliners for that gig (I did say almost!).

Franz Ferdinand headline the main stage but are hampered by poor sound in the back half of the arena so after hearing most of my personal favourites I head to the poetry tent when the rain arrives...