The festival news keeps coming thick and fast with Latitude announcing a typically eclectic and exciting line up:

OBELISK ARENA
ALT-J, PORTISHEAD
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
MANIC STREET PREACHERS, CARIBOU, JAMES BLAKE
               LAURA MARLING, WILD BEASTS, LIANNE LA HAVAS, SEASICK STEVE,
JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ, FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE, NAOMI SHELTON & THE GOSPEL QUEENS
BENJAMIN BOOKER, JP COOPER
 
BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC STAGE
JON HOPKINS, THE VACCINES, SBTRKT
DJANGO DJANGO, CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN,
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING,
LA ROUX, YEARS & YEARS, SAVAGES, TORO Y MOI, WOLF ALICE, YOUNG FATHERS, KWABS
SUN KIL MOON, KING CREOSOTE, UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA
THE THURSTON MOORE BAND, DRENGE, THE DISTRICTS, SOAK
 
i ARENA
CLARK, THE 2 BEARS, ADULT JAZZ, KIASMOS, JACK GARRAT, SHURA, GENGHAR,
IBEYI, SUSANNE SUNDFØR, DM STITH, DUKE GARWOOD, LEON BRIDGES,
KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZZARD
THE TWILIGHT SAD, CURTIS HARDING,
MARIKA HACKMAN, NADINE SHAH, DOLORES HAZE
 LATE NIGHT DJS: BEN UFO, DJ EZ, MONKI, ALEXANDER NUT, THE FOUR OWLS
THE BUSY TWIST, WERKHA (LIVE)

COMEDY AT LATITUDE
 ALAN DAVIES, JON RICHARDSON,JASON MANFORD, JACK DEE’S HELP DESK, ROB DELANEY, ADAM HILLS,
DAVID O’DOHERTY, JOSH WIDDICOMBE, KATHERINE RYAN,
NINA CONTI, ROBIN INCE & JOSIE LONG’S FESTIVAL SHAMBLES,
TIM KEY, FUNZ AND GAMEZ, SHAPPI KHORSANDI, SARA PASCOE,
NICK HELM, DANIEL SLOSS, HOLLY WALSH, MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE,
ABANDOMAN, CARL DONNELLY, ROB BECKETT, PAPPY’S, TIFFANY STEVENSON,
JAMES ACASTER, SARAH KENDALL, JOE LYCETT, ROMESH RANGANATHAN,
MAX AND IVAN, LUISA OMIELAN, SUNDAY ASSEMBLY, LIAM WILLIAMS,
CHARLIE BAKER, ZOE LYONS, ELIS JAMES, NISH KUMAR, MATT RICHARDSON,
MATT FORDE, JOHN ROBINS, ERIC LAMPAERT’S COMEDY CINEMA CLUB, PIPPA EVANS, ALEX EDELMAN, DANIELLE WARD, ANGELA BARNES, IVO GRAHAM,
STUART GOLDSMITH, ADAM HESS, JARLATH REGAN, PHIL WANG,
GEIN’S FAMILY GIFTSHOP, GUILT AND SHAME, RHYS JAMES,
DANE BAPTISTE, RACHEL PARRIS, DAVID ELMS, DAVID MORGAN, PAT CAHILL,
SUZI RUFFELL, TOM ALLEN, HARRIET KEMSLEY, LAZY SUSAN, MASSIVE DAD,
KAI HUMPHRIES, SOFIE HAGEN, PIERRE NOVELLIE, ANNA MORRIS, PHIL JERROD, AUNTY DONNA, SARAH CALLAGHAN, ELLIE WHITE, NATASIA DEMETRIOU,
JENNY COLLIER, LOLLY ADEFOPE, JOHNNY AND INEL, TWAYNA MAYNE, YVE BLAKE, LLOYD GRIFFITHS, CHRIS KENT, AMIR KHOSHSOKHAN,
CHORTLE STUDENT COMEDY AWARDS SHOW
 
 
SPECIAL GUESTS
CHILLY GONZALES & KAISER QUARTETT,
GARETH MALONE,
SADLER’S WELLS,
SIMON ARMITAGE, DOCTOR JOHN COOPER CLARKE, MICHAEL ROSEN, GEORGE THE POET

SPECIAL ADDITIONS
SOLAS, OTHER VOICES
SWIMMING IN THE LAKE, HOT TUBS
SKY ARTS
ACTIONAID
 
Plus many more music and arts acts across the weekend including dance on the waterfront theatre, literature, film, science, cabaret, art
 
 
Latitude today announces the line-up for their 10th Edition which takes place Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th July 2015 in the stunning grounds of Henham Park, Suffolk.

Ten years ago Latitude Festival creator Melvin Benn set out to rewrite the festival rulebook, showing that music lovers could also be culture lovers, by creating the UK’s first multi arts boutique festival set out to challenge the festival status quo.
 
Today, festival organisers reveal the music and comedy headliners, plus over 100 other acts and plans for a new era of the festival including two new areas; swimming in the lake for the first time in the festival’s history, and hot tubs where Latitude audiences can soak up the atmosphere of the idyllic site.
 
 
Melvin Benn, Founder and Creator of Latitude comments:
“I’m delighted to reveal the first acts for Latitude 2015, with alt-j, Portishead, Noel Gallagher, Alan Davies, Jon Richardson and Jason Manford heading up a music and arts bill that is as strong as it is broad.
 
“This year is the 10th Edition of the festival and we’re celebrating with an event which, although it has evolved significantly from the intimate 4,000 attendees we started out with, I really feel has kept the special atmosphere and unique quality which sets it apart.

“Every year I challenge myself to build on previous summers and make each festival even better than the one before. With the start of a new decade for Latitude, I wanted to bring something really fresh and new to Henham and I think we’ve done just that. We’ve added a whole new spa area, Solas, offering massages and treatments alongside hot tubs and installations, which will all turn into a late night party area for festival-goers to discover after sunset. In addition – the extraordinary Other Voices will make the journey from the west coast of Ireland to the east coast of England to create their incredibly intimate music environment. And we’re also bringing swimming to the lake for the first time, which will absolutely be the icing on the cake for Latitude 2015! I’m looking forward to welcoming back all our regular festival-goers, and seeing some new faces there this July.”
 
First to headline Latitude’s Obelisk Arena on Friday night is a band close to Latitude’s heart; Mercury Prize-winning art-rockers alt-J. Having delivered outstanding sets on smaller Latitude stages over the years, 2015’s triumphant return promises to be a special moment for all who have witnessed their incredible Latitude journey. With a recent sold out arena tour and two critically acclaimed albums, the Leeds trio will no doubt give the Latitude audience a stunning set.
 
Portishead will give a rare UK appearance as they top the bill on Saturday. Emerging in 1994 with landmark album Dummy, Portishead have remained adventurous and uncompromising throughout their 20-year career.  Compelling, provoking and moving; this will be an unmissable performance.
 
Closing Latitude this year is an outfit fronted by one of Britain’s most loved musical figures; Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Song-writing pioneer and out-spoken cultural icon, Gallagher’s relevance has never faltered and Latitude is delighted to welcome him and his latest band to their 10th anniversary Edition. Performing tracks from the recent critically acclaimed album Chasing Yesterday (which Gallagher produced as well as wrote), plus plenty of classic sing-along Oasis tracks, this will be a closing show to be remembered.
 
Quotes from headliners:
 
“We are hugely excited to return to Latitude for the third time. Playing there has always been so memorable. Latitude has always supported us, and to go from playing the smaller stages to this means it will be a night of celebration.”
alt-J

“I’ve been to Latitude before as a festival goer and really enjoyed it I think the effort they put into their whole programming –  music,  comedy and film  –  is what makes it a great festival to  be part of. And  I’m really looking forward to it.” Geoff Barrow from Portishead

“I love the vibe at Latitude and the location. Good forward thinking programming as well, I played a couple of years ago in the cinema tent with a silent film project I was doing and it was a really good experience…looking forward to this one very much.” Adrian Utley from Portishead

 “Well not only have I never played at Latitude before, but I’ve never even been there, ever. So yes, I’m really looking forward to headlining the Festival on July 19th” Noel Gallagher
 
Other special appearances on the Obelisk Arena will include a selection of some of today’s most exciting and respected British artists; we start off by welcoming Nicky Wire back to Latitude ten years down the line with the legendary Manic Street Preachers who will be performing a selection of loved tracks from their varied and extraordinary career, Canadian electronica-maestro Caribou, electronic auteur James Blake will return for a third time, and both soul sensation Lianne La Havas and folk singer-songwriter Laura Marling for a second and all with new albums to share. Festival favourites, Wild Beasts return to share their latest critically acclaimed album with us and we also welcome the soulful Mancunian JP Cooper to Henham Park for the first time.

Gracing us from all corners of the globe are four time Grammy award nominee Nigerian musician Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, transfixing Swedish singer-songwriter and Latitude favourite José González, American soul singer Benjamin Brooker, blues veteran Seasick Steve, and soul veteran Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens will be bringing us her Daptone released gospel music.
 
This year the BBC Radio 6 Music Stage will host even more exciting musical treats including headline sets from three accomplished British acts; top of the bill on Friday is pioneering sonic technician Jon Hopkins, platinum selling rock band The Vaccines will headline on Saturday, and a festival exclusive show from SBTRKT who will close the stage on Sunday night with his soulful and textured take on electronic music preceded by the highly acclaimed live show from La Roux.
 
Other acts set to play on the coveted BBC Radio 6 Music Stage include; Catfish And The Bottlemen who have risen up through the Latitude stages, all-female punk rockers Savages, acclaimed alternative pop group Django Django, London-based pseudonymous musical duo Public Service Broadcasting and Americana four piece The Districts. With forty albums under his belt King Creosote is back to perform songs from an extensive career and has previously graced both the Poetry Arena and iArena at Latitude, also announced today is American musician and legend The Thurston Moore Band and two-piece grunge band Drenge.
 
Esteemed artist Mark Kozelek brings Sun Kil Moon to Latitude, also announced are Years & Years with their eccentric blend of R&B and 90’s house, and Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers returning for round three, South London’s Kwabs, alternative rock group Wolf Alice, and BBC Sound Poller SOAK is also on the bill as well as exclusive performances from Toro Y Moi and Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
 
Announced acts for the i Arena include one of electronic music’s most renowned talents, Warp Records cult artist Clark who headlines Saturday. Joining the festival to headline Sunday are London based musical duo Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell otherwise known as The 2 Bears. Also announced; the unique and the distinctive Adult Jazz, hot new talent Jack Garratt, multi-instrumentalist DM Stith, blues rock experimentalist Duke Garwood hugely talented singer songwriter Shura, the incredibly refreshing indie rockers Gengahr, Texan gospel and soul songster Leon Bridges and folk-pop star Marika Hackman. .

Joining the eclectic line-up are; Icelandic ambient techno duo Kiasmos, hotly-tipped twin sister musical duo Ibeyi, post-punk indie rock band The Twilight Sad, captivating singer Nadine Shah, soul powerhouse Curtis Harding, Norwegian singer songwriter Susanne Sundfør and the brilliant, all-female Swedish pop-quartet Dolores Haze outrageous King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard who specialise in psychedelic tunes!
 
The People’s Ear will present a line-up essential to create a heat to warm the ears from 11pm-3am every night on the iArena. Acts include self-taught musical craftsmen Ben UFO, three of the most innovative names in electronic music – untouchable London wordsmiths The Four Owls, Grammy nominated funk master Werkha (Live) and his live band, musician, three-piece DJ EZ, producer Monki and Alexander Nut and tropical bass heroes The Busy Twist. Expect and believe!
 
In an exclusive festival appearance at Latitude, Gareth Malone will this year be putting together a unique choir of Latitude festival goers. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to apply to be part of this 100-strong group who will rehearse at several points over the weekend, culminating in a Main Stage lunchtime performance on Sunday 19th July. In addition, Gareth and his Voices choir will be performing on the Waterfront Stage on Saturday 18th July.’

Natasha Haddad, music programmer commented:

“I’m ridiculously excited and honoured to be a part of curating Latitude’s 10th edition line-up. Music, arts and emotions go hand-in-hand and we’re so lucky to have an audience whose appetite for these covers such a broad spectrum; from the hands-in-the-air euphoria of Jon Hopkins, Caribou and Kiasmos to united sing-alongs during Noel Gallagher, Manic Street Preachers and Laura Marling, Latitude will also embrace the celestial moments of Portishead, James Blake and Sun Kill Moon.

We’re 100% behind new experiences and new artists and have seen many of this year’s line-up rise through the stages, such as headliners alt-J, The Vaccines and festival favourites Wild Beasts. We’d hedge our bets on artists such as Leon Bridges, Jack Garratt, Marika Hackman and Nadine Shah all following the same successes, but really I’d raise a glass to everyone involved, here’s to a unforgettable Latitude.”

 
COMEDY AT LATITUDE
 
Over the last ten years Latitude’s comedy line-up has set the bar for summer festivals, offering the Latitude audience a unique opportunity to see some of the biggest names in the business all over the same weekend. It’s also the first chance to see the acts destined to make waves in Edinburgh later in the summer.
 
Headlining this special 10th Edition year will be national treasure Alan Davies, the longstanding QI panellist is well-known for his glorious insight into worldviews. Growing up in the ‘70s, losing his mother as a little boy, the vagaries of Facebook, sex toys and being a father are just some of the subjects he tackles.

Festival organisers are hugely excited to announce Jason Manford to headline the Comedy Arena. Renowned for his hilarious observations and loveable, friendly delivery, Jason has been a firm favourite with comedy fans of all ages since his first solo stand-up show earned him huge critical acclaim. The Perrier nominated comic won Chortle Breakthrough Act in 2006, Latitude’s inaugural year, and has risen to become one of the UK’s favourite TV comics.

2013 British Comedy Award Best Male Comic nominee, and Live At The Apollo star, Jon Richardson is one of the UK’s brightest and immensely likeable stand up heroes. Back with a brand new stand-up routine to delight audiences, Time Out call him ‘Sublimely brilliant, stunning…He is a comic right on the verge of greatness. If you haven’t seen him yet, get your finger out and sort it!

Off the back of his hugely successful Channel 4 TV show ‘Catastrophe’ Rob Delaney brings his performance to the Suffolk setting. Voted the funniest man on Twitter, Latitude welcomes Rob’s hilarious but sometimes dark anecdotes and tales to the festival for the first time.

Australian comedian and television presenter Adam Hills best known for hosting The Last Leg on Channel 4 will bring his combination of positive uplifting comedy and rampant spontaneity to the Comedy Arena.

Another award-winning comic performing at the festival this year is Jack Dee. Best known for his sarcasm and deadpan humour, he takes a break from being everyone’s favourite grumpster to lend a helping hand to Latitude Festival goers with his side splittingly funny show Help Desk where he will be joined by a panel of star comedians from the festival line up to offer expert advice on the Latitude audience’s problems.
 
Perrier Award winning Irish comedian David O’Doherty will bring his stand-up routine to the festival this summer. Also on the bill is; Latitude’s resident prankster Josh Widdicombe, Canadian super comic Katherine Ryan, one of many stand out female comics programmed for the festival this year. With a formidable reputation on the live circuit and high profile TV appearances to her name, Katherine will pull out all the stops this summer.
 
This year’s festival will host; self-proclaimed “spit and sawdust” performer Shappi Khorsandi, Best Show nominee at the Edinburgh Fosters Comedy Awards in 2014 Sara Pascoe, brilliant Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss, top of the 2015 tipster list Dane Baptiste, lyrical anti-lad, Liam Williams, the hugely popular Holly Walsh, the effortlessly talented Joe Lycett, fantastic bombastic star of the hit show ‘What Would Beyonce Do’s Luisa Omelian, ventriloquist Nina Conti with her popular puppet characters and Viral Tap star Matt Richardson who all join the 10th Edition celebrations.
 
WATERFRONT STAGE 

Following from his sold out Barbican shows, we are hugely excited to announce that piano virtuoso Chilly Gonzales will be performing his new album Chambers on the Waterfront Stage with the Kaiser Quartett. Switching gears from his 2013 collaborations with Grammy winners Daft Punk and Drake, Gonzales’ Latitude show will be an entertaining and intimate experience orchestrated especially with Hamburg’s Kaiser Quartett displaying his inimitable touch. This will be a stunning highlight of the festival and it is not to be missed.

Since 2008 Sadler’s Wells has presented a special programme of dance at Latitude Festival to audiences in excess of 40,000 people across the years. This summer the theatre returns for an eighth consecutive year, presenting a diverse programme on the outdoor Waterfront Stage that will appeal to audiences of all ages and that reflects the theatre’s reputation for presenting world class dance in all its forms. Full line-up to be announced.

POETRY ARENA
At the heart of Latitude the Poetry Arena showcases the very best stand up and beat poets, alongside laureates and literary legends. Headlining this year’s Poetry Arena will be the former laureate and award winning poet Simon Armitage CBE who is described by Poetry Review as “the front man of his generation”.

Tim Key, star and creator of Radio 4’s Late Night Poetry Programme Tim Key is as a poet, actor, comic and film star, appearing as Alan Partridge’s sidekick in Mid-Morning Matters and Alpha Papa. A brilliant poet and Edinburgh Perrier Award winner we are delighted he will be joining us in the Poetry Arena this year.
 
Children’s favourite and recently appointed professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths and presenter of Word of Mouth on Radio 4 Michael Rosen joins the celebrations. Last year Michael packed the Poetry Arena to the rafters. Number one poet of the parents, Michael was the subject of a recent viral campaign to hire him as Education Minister.

Punk Rock legend, performance poet and Latitude favourite the inimitable Doctor John Cooper Clarke is expected to bring a new collection of poetry. A seminal influence on punk the voice of Manchester and beat poets everywhere, expect a ferociously funny performance and make sure you get a seat early.
 
Smashing into the Poetry Arena to read his latest poems will be BBC Three’s ‘Uncle’ writer and star Nick Helm, his hilarious stand up style has been described as ‘brash and bullish’.
  
FILM & MUSIC STAGE

The first name announced for the Film & Music Stage is Brit Award nominated George the Poet. A poet for the people, George mixes social and political comment with humour to demonstrate his passion for poetry as a powerful tool to educate the masses.  George delivers an unforgettable live performance, which consists of a hypnotic blend of poetry and rap.

Further artists will be announced in the coming months.
  
Tania Harrison, Curator of the Arts Arenas commented:
 
“As a festival, Latitude has always prided itself on the breadth of our line ups and this year is no different. We will have comedy in all its guises across our arts arenas from Tim Key and Nick Helm in the Poetry Arena to Jack Dee in the Theatre Arena, Nina Conti in an interactive gig in the Cabaret arena and Alan Davies and Rob Delaney making their Latitude stand-up debuts in the Comedy Arena. At Latitude there is a home for every kind of comic and comedy fan.

“Latitude has grown a reputation for being the place to see new talent and indeed we are excited to be supporting a wealth of new talent across the festival this year.  And from ones-to-watch to one-offs to must-sees- we will have some spectacular special guest appearances from the virtuoso talents of Chilly Gonzales on the Waterfront Stage to a celebration of poetry spanning the festival and the ages. From the genius of Simon Armitage, fresh from bringing Greek tragedy to our airwaves and stages with Troy in the Poetry Arena, to the Sound of 2015 George The Poet, a voice for his generation who can be found in the top five of the BBC Sound of 2015’s list and performing from his new album in the Film and Music Arena. We are thrilled to be presenting a line up befitting of our 10th anniversary – it’s set to be quite the Birthday Weekend!”
 
 
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
 
The Kids Arena keeps children entertained all day and into the night with everything from pond dipping & astronomy to pizza making and night-time disco and fire-show. There’s something for everyone! Use traditional tools or pan for gold, explore the woods or ID animal bones!…investigate a crime scene or head to the Kids Theatre for shows, music, drama classes and puppetry. There are giant crafts from building with architects to shaping willow, working with clay, knitting, felting or getting busy with a million stickers! Amazing activities come from a range of trusted names, from Macmillan’s Children’s Books to the Zoological Society of London, Suffolk Wildlife Trust to the Woodcraft Folk and many more.
 
The Inbetweeners’ Teen Area is a hidden woodland wonderland-offering teenagers a packed weekend. Chose music, media, fashion and technology workshops, including; a live stage, new DJ Academy and chill-out area with Culture Works East and Access to Music. Or join our friends from Greenpeace; tackle wildlife, bush-craft and survival skills or get physical with climbing nets and a zip wire suspended high in the trees – a real walk on the wild side!
SPECIAL ADDITIONS
Other Voices will bring a little bit of musical magic from its spiritual home on the Wild Atlantic Way in the West of Ireland to Suffolk for this year’s Latitude Festival. Now in its fourteenth year, Other Voices has previously accepted invitations from Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, Wilton’s Music Hall in London and The Glassworks in Derry-Londonderry during their Festival of Culture in 2013. 

Philip King, founder of Other Voices said:
“We’re delighted to accept an invitation from Latitude to join them for this, their tenth anniversary. The spirit of Other Voices is very much in tune with the spirit of Latitude. I know we’re going to have a wonderful time. We’re excited and will bring with us a remarkable line-up.”

This year Latitude welcomes, Solas, a new area providing an oasis of calm by day and a colourful cocoon of meticulous merriment by night. Meaning ‘light’ in Irish, Solas invites festival goers to follow the beacon across the water and into another world. It’s an invitation to learn the art of chilling out in a pleasure garden of mottled light, surprising encounters, intimate secrets and embracing experiences.

Sky Arts returns for the 10th celebrations to bring fans highlights from the Latitude weekend. Two 120minute jam packed shows of performances, interviews and highpoints will be televised the weekend after the festival.

The final of Sky Arts ​Guitar Star, a major new competition to search for a world-class guitarist, will film the winning player performing on Latitude’s Obelisk Arena. For more information visit: http://www.sky.com/tv/show/guitar

This year for the first time ever Latitude will be partnering with ActionAid a leading international development charity who support women and children living in extreme poverty. They work to help empower women and children to fight for their own rights and to create lasting change.

By day, the new ActionAid tent will be home to creative craft workshops, games and festival fun activities and by night the tent will transform into a late-night party venue with DJ’s playing until the early hours. Look out for signings and guest DJ sets from some of the festival acts too.

With support from Festival Republic and Firebrand merchandise, ActionAid will also be teaming up with one of the 2015 Latitude acts to create a limited Edition festival item which will be available to buy exclusively at the festival. All proceeds will go towards supporting ActionAid’s work to change lives for good.

Latitude is synonymous with the perfect festival experience, and this year organisers are going one step further with Latitude’s Charity Concierge. Imagine someone going to the bar for you…putting up your tent….even holding your place in the queue for the Comedy Stage or Theatre tent. Latitude’s team of 100 enthusiastic volunteers will be offering these services throughout the arena and in some campsites, to raise money for the Kenyan Orphan Project. And Festival Republic will match fund every penny. The team are aiming to raise £50,000 so lie back in the sunshine and let someone else do the leg work!

TICKET INFORMATION

Weekend adult tickets £192.50 face value + £8.00 booking fee per ticket
Accompanied Teen Ticket (13-15 years) £132.50 face value + £8.00 booking fee per ticket
Weekend Child Ticket (5-12 years) £8.00 (no booking fee)
Day adult ticket £77.50 + £7.00 booking fee per ticket
Day child ticket £5.00 (no booking fee)
Campervan Permit £40.00/£60.00/£80.00 (depending on size) / Lockers £16.00
Tickets available from http://www.seetickets.com/tour/latitude-festival-2015
Terms & Conditions apply. For full details head to http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk