Latitude Festival: Day Two with Teddy Swims, Tom Odell, Cian Ducrot and more

It’s another dry, dusty day in Henham Park; heard from one direction is the indie twang of The Lilacs while from another, Gareth Malone is leading a choir of Latitude festivalgoers singing pop staples like West End Girls and Chelsea Dagger.

For The Upcoming’s first Saturday set, this reviewer traipses over to The Waterfront to catch Jacob Alon, apparently with half the festival as one ends up standing on the bridge behind the stage. How surreal it is watching across the lake as a gondola floats by, soundtracked by Alon’s serene folk songs and otherworldly vocals. It’s beautiful to see people sat on the grass rise for a standing ovation, leaving Alon visibly moved.

Then it’s into the trees for Mên An Tol’s set at The Alcove. They sound like The Pogues if they formed during the 2010s, with Not Ideal encapsulating this era’s anthemic vibe. The epic waltz Thoughts of You is another highlight; it’s a real shame the set’s so short. Mên An Tol end their debut Latitude appearance with the speedy NW1 – hopefully it’s the first of many.

Now to the Obelisk Arena for Cian Ducrot’s anthemic pop. It’s a polished performance, aside from Shalalala‘s self-indulgent outro jam (“Thanks for letting us do that,” grins Ducrot). From the country-esque No Way to Live to the intense Hallelujah, the latter complete with a wailing guitar solo courtesy of Eilidh McKellar, the Irish-French musician is having a blast, ably warming up the crowd. I’ll Be Waiting is the big finish to a great set from the Grammy-winning songwriter, which will no doubt be a highlight for many.

It’s back to the Obelisk Arena for Tom Odell’s debut Latitude performance. While he’s evidently enjoying it, his singing sounds pitchy in places, and his band could sound tighter. It’s mostly safe piano pop, with Best Day of My Life veering into full-on cheese, yet things pick up towards the end with elements of soul and funk creeping in as the musicians find their feet. Of course, the song that gets camping chair dwellers on their feet is Another Love, bringing Odell’s set to a satisfying close.

Now for Saturday’s headliner, Teddy Swims, who bounds on, saying “Latitude, what’s up?!” to an elated roar from the packed-out arena in reply. Laid back yet very charismatic, Swims sings with his powerhouse voice like he’s having the best time ever with his phenomenal band, who he evidently loves like a family. It seems he wants the crowd in on this feeling, playing a jubilant cover of Van Halen’s Jump, and inviting Vanessa Carlton on for the ever-anthemic A Thousand Miles (“What a badass!” laughs Swims). His own material is fantastic, from the sensual slow R’n’B jam of Are You for Real to the soulful vibe of 911 and everything in between. “Thank you so much for making our dreams come true, Latitude!” says Swims as the set reaches its end, and he waves off the Saturday crowd with the storming Lose Control.

As the weekend continues, high spirits remain in the face of blinding dust clouds and overbearing heat. Latitude so far has delivered a wealth of excellent music, from the classics to the undiscovered, and we’re on tenterhooks for what awaits on the final day.

Gem Hurley
Photos: Courtesy of Latitude Festival

For further information and future events, visit Latitude Festival’s website here.

Watch the video for Need You More here: