Latitude

So, it's almost time for Latitude. The very family friendly, yet somehow “with it” festival has managed to provide another line up to tempt just about everyone. As usual in addition to the music, there is a wealth of other entertainment available. With so many acts covering each and every base, Latitude could be considered a jack of all trades.

As well as comedy and cabaret arenas showcasing everybody from Omid Djalili to Duckie, there's a wealth of theatre playing on two separate stages 'The Theatre Arena' and 'The Outdoor Theatre'. Companies such as Lyric Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland and Gate Theatre are each appearing on multiple days. Sadler's Wells will be showcasing dance performances from their at The Waterfront Stage. There are films, too, and Q&As with luminaries such as Ralph Fiennes and Steve Coogan being shown. There's even a Poetry Arena, a Literary Arena and more than enough facilities and activities for children and young teens.

But, what with us being a music site, we should zero in on what's happening in that regard.

Friday

Starting us off on the first day at the Word Arena we have the lovely Avi Buffalo, followed at the Sunrise Arena by the most enjoyable The Phantom Band. Next, it's a matter of hoping the rising Grouplove and the indie godheads Deerhunter don't clash. Deerhunter would naturally be completely unmissable, but Grouplove are an excellent young band that could be headed for bigger things. If you saw Deerhunter you might stick around for Polaris prize winners Caribou, before heading off to see the Obelisk Stage trio of indie heart throb Bright Eyes, the colourful Paloma Faith and the possible highlight of the entire festival The National, whose slow and steady rise to fame have earned them many fans, and a deserving headline spot. An alternative would be Admiral Fallow over at the Lake Stage, whose Frightened Rabbit-esque growly, slightly twee, indie-rock should go down a treat. Also playing at this time are The Horrors front man Faris Badwan's side project, Cat's Eyes, at the Sunrise Arena.

The comedy programme offers up Tom Deacon and Joe Wells, both great young comedians, and appearing earlier in the day. You'll recognise the musical Isy Suttie as Dobbie from Peep Show, and she's an excellent comedian in her own right. Influential, 'comedians' comedian' Simon Munnery is also worth seeing, while the day's biggest draw is the edgy, clever and very funny Richard Herring. Black Books star and comedian extraordinaire Dylan Moran hasn't yet had his day confirmed, but it looks like he'll be headlining Friday night In addition, Richard Curtis is interviewing Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as well as the entire creative team from The Trip.

Saturday

Early risers on Saturday get to see fresh-faced singer songwriter Ed Sheeran and the experienced, platinum selling They Might Be Giants, who are returning with new material. Dog is Dead, The Head And The Heart and Irish shoe-gazing punks Fight Like Apes provide assorted thrills over at the Sunrise Arena. Man of the moment James Blake is 'also appearing' at some point on the Lake Stage. He'd best not clash with British Sea Power, a deservedly acclaimed live act. Echo And the Bunnymen should provide an experienced set full of old favourites, while Word Arena headliners Foals have produced a set of very strong songs in second album Total Life Forever. Middle of the road folk juggernaut Paolo Nutini, who opened the first Latitude Festival, now finds himself headlining the Obelisk Stage.

Saturday is also an excellent day for comedy, with literary comedianRobin Ince and Tom Wigglesworth on early in the day. Later, the energetic Danny Bhoi and inbetweeners star Jon Richardson are appearing, and Omid Djalili is headlining. However, Tim Key will be reciting his hilarious poetry over at The Poetry Arena, and shouldn't be missed by any fans of either comedy or poetry.

Early on Sunday Morning, try to get up for the lovely folk of the The Leisure Society, and ex-Libertine Carl Barât at the Word Arena. The diverse, individual folk ofSea Of Bees at the Lake Stage is also worth seeing if you want to catch a talented young artist. Later in the day, there is the acclaimed country singer Caitlin Rose on the Sunrise Arena, and folk mainstay Iron And Wine at the Main Stage. Gold Panda and Everything Everything are, as ever, worth catching; both play over at the Word Arena. Suede are headlining at the Obelisk Stage, and should provide a good burst of nostalgia for the older attendees of the festival, while the experimental, arty Eels provide a strong alternative at the Word Arena. However, Dry The River are gracing us with their Fleet Foxes-esque folk over on The Lake Stage, and if you hold no love for either of the other two headliners, then they should be worth a look.

If you feel like a break from music, there is, again, a wealth of good comedians playing. Bill Hicks-esque Steve Hughes is great fun, while later in the day we've got half of Adam and Joe in Adam Buxton, and Mock The Week regular Mark Watson. Alan Carr headlines the comedy bill, while multiple award winning Jo Shapcott closes the Poetry Arena.

There's far more to see at Latitude, for it is not merely a music festival. There really is something for all the family, as well as holding enough enough relevance and entertainment value to attract those who don't have children to entertain. While Latitude may not have attracted many of the biggest names in the industry, it maintains its unique identity on the festival circuit.

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