I can see a theme here...

Searching for lyrics certainly remains an issue and, while I wish I could do more, time is the problem. I have an agenda of my own and, while it certainly does include lyrics, that it is only part of the whole. Live music is a large part of it, but not certainly not the only thing that I liked about Latitude in 2007 and 2008.

On Saturday evening, as we were waiting for Sigur Rós to do an encore, the moon rose over the proceedings and I pretty much had my back to the stage when I took this.
Taken a couple of hours, and a couple of pints, later is this snapshot of festival life...

Home for the weekend - 'red sector campsite' @ 2am Sunday.

I'm still not quite sure how I would define Sigur Rós, and I never have been, but seeing them live was quite something.
They are, and this is nothing of a revelation, quite unlike any other. As a live show it was certainly convincing and some, that I later overheard or talked with, described it as 'biblical'!
I'm still not sure exactly what I think so this, at least for now, is about as good a description as I can currently muster. Nevertheless I'm very glad that I was there listening to it for if live music is not to engender debate then I wonder what purpose it has!

Latitude 2008 - first thoughts

Latitude 2008 is where I've been these last few days. This will be brief, because I got back not long ago and some things such as a hot bath and some proper mugs of tea (simultaneously!) came before blogging.

I must say that, despite doubting it could be as good as last year, I wasn't disappointed. More importantly, perhaps, is that the many others that I discussed this with were largely of the same opinion. Everyone can think of a few things that they would change at a festival, were they in charge, but once again, although the weather was rather cool and gave us a few showers, there were no problems with that. It remains so genuinely friendly and real and, although it is a very selfish point to make, we all hoped that it isn't spoilt it by making it too big next year.

In one sense it the biggest little festival and that certainly goes for some of the music too. Sure the headline acts probably sell the most tickets - and Joanna Newsom and Sigur Rós are two that are about as diverse as one could wish for - but that is not to say that lesser known acts are any less important and that is what really matters at Latitude.
I'll mention some of both, and add pictures of my own, in the next week but to start off here is one that I took at the Sunset Stage on Saturday morning:

Wallis Bird live at Latitude 2008.

Also live on the Sunset Stage, but on Friday morning, were the now London-based three-piece 'The Joy Formidable'.

Ritzy (guitar and vocals) trades venom with Rhydian (bass and vocals) to good effect while Justin, drums and vocals but not visible in this shot, ensures that the whole show keeps on track!