Latitude - re-inventing the festival

United Kingdom | | 27 April 2006

Expand your festival horizons!

Latitude is the latest creation of Mean Fiddler - who run Reading, Leeds and Glastonbury - and mastermind Melvin Benn explains his vision: "Diversity is the main thing here. I want to bring that genteel, less manic feel that European festivals have to Latitude...  I am looking forward to that feeling of being able to listen live to the music and then the words of an author or poet or environmentalist rather than just reading it in the newspapers or listening on a cd."

The sense of something a bit special begins with the enchanting site - a natural, tree-lined estate that hosts both an ancient fairytale woodland and an 11-acre lake, stretching to the coast. That's fairly impressive but how many other UK festival sites can also boast the UK's only two weeping larches [rare trees - arbolist Ed],  the headless ghost of the Hound of the Baskervilles (it's in the official press release) and an obelisk marking the point of exactly 100 miles to the old gallows of Marble Arch? 

The main arena will host three main live stages showcasing an eclectic range of alternative music spread over the three days - including Mogwai's only British festival appearance this summer. The music will be specifically hand-picked to "perfectly soundtrack a hazy summer weekend and create a holiday atmosphere."  

Latitude is about much more than the music, though. Unlike some UK festivals that stop at midnight, Latitude - like Virtual Festivals - believes the fun should never end. All day and all night random and surreal situations will present themselves, enticing people to join in activities they never thought even existed.

Tania Harrison, in charge of all things weird and wonderful says: "It's always the weird and wonderful aspects that give us the best festival memories. It might be the headline band you've bought the ticket to see but it's often the ride on the ghost train or dancing in a bikini and wellies to Chas and Dave that you remember the most. It's these special moments that I hope people will take away with them."

From what we have heard so far, Latitude is clearly a must for the more adventurous festival-goer, seeking an uplifting cultural experience, and - as well as top music acts - will feature the best in art, comedy, cabaret, film, literature, theatre, performance art, dance, sculpture, workshops, restaurants and even bars offering waiter service.

Tickets are on-sale now, priced £95 (weekend) or £40 (day) plus booking fee, here.

Stay posted for more announcements in the coming weeks. For more information (and some photos of the festival site) check out www.latitudefestival.com or click on the links below.