It was Summer 2009 when three friends put their lives in the hands of National Express (foolishly) and headed for The Sunrise Coast. Doesn't it sound magical?! Latitude, AHOY!
We set off in the very early hours and found ourselves feeling that Christmas Eve excitement, even if it was mid-July. Having decided to attend a festival that looked a bit 'interested' and had a few good but obscure bands playing, we had no idea what we were in store for. We knew no-one else who had ever been as it was only in its fourth year of running and in the months before, not many well known acts had been announced. Were were wasting our money? We had assured ourselves that it would be good either way as we would just enjoy the company and the well-reccommended beauty of the Sunrise Coast.
My goodness, did we enjoy ourselves. Wandering sheep were painted different colours and seemed to increase in numbers as the days went on. Gondolas floated along the lake and offered rides with the cheeky chap's that considered themselves 'professional gondoliers' but found it somewhat hilarious to entice people that really didn't have the appropriate footwear. Art was scattered throughout the woods, hanging miscellaneously on trees and along riverbanks. As each day became another night, a dazzling light show shot across the lakes and Henham Park became somewhere entirely different - it was time to party. And the place to party? Apparently, The Disco Shed.
The Disco Shed was quite literally a shed. I can't say it was without a few frills in the form of lighting and one of those disco balls that most teenage girls had in their bedroom to feel a bit cool when they had friends over. So fetch. The disco element was the grassy space between the Theatre Arena, the Cabaret tent and the many different food stalls. We found ourselves just dancing around, over-priced pints in hand and burnt faces smiling back at the equally jolly strangers dancing beside us. For me, that was the most amazing thing about this festival. That word, festival, brings a certain image to mind of drugs, alcohol and a severe lack of cleanliness- I personally think that rubbing baby wipes under your armpits does not count as a wash but then again, I chose to share a shower in a field with far too many naked women.
The people at Latitude were there for something different. With Poetry, Literature, Theatre, Music and Art all scattered across one field for your viewing pleasure there was little time to get drunk and bump uglies with the grubby guy from the tent next door. I could go ahead and list the amazing acts that my friends and I had seen, acts that we learnt of and fell in love with during those four days but I don't know where I would start.
Latitude 2010 is rumoured to be bigger and better. My ticket will be purchased on the day of release and I'm sure my friends will be doing the same. If you enjoy any of the things mentioned in this here blog, have a gander and you won't be disappointed.
