Photo: Press
Latitude is turning 10 this year so we thought we'd have a chat to the man that's been there at both ends of the UK's sweetest festival. Ed Harcourt has been busy this year writing his follow up album to last year's brief but beautiful, Time of Dust - and also found the time to play with The Libertines.
More recently, Harcourt has been spotted on the Glastonbury main stage invited on by The Libertines during their not-so-secret, secret set. We wanted to know how this miraculous collaboration came about, so we caught up with Ed to talk about Latitude over the decade, his new album and The Libs.
Over the last decade what do you think has changed for Latitude in terms of atmosphere and music?
Ed: I don’t know, the first time playing was a very fleeting visit, it was very in and out. When I played two years ago I really enjoyed it. I got to walk around until the early hours. [Latitude] has really got a unique style of it’s own. I like the fact that it incorporates culture and art and random things like that. I recall there were these men in tights wondering about which was quite thrilling.
They seem to up the weirdness every year, don’t they?
Ed: Yeah! I really like that and I like the sheep as well.”
Are you going to be playing anything new during your Latitude set?
Ed: We just finished rehearsing two or three songs, I’m both scared and excited. They’re a little bit louder and playing with the full band, I feel like I’ve been liberated. Normally, at solo shows, I’m on the piano a lot but when I have a full band I get to be centre stage, it feels liberating.
You worked with Flood on this album, how was that?
Ed: It took about three and a half years to get in the studio, but I wrote him a song years ago and he was like ‘this is good, write more’ and then ‘yeah, not bad, write more’. He just kept kicking my arse. He’s a hard taskmaster but he really cares about the end product. He cares about the music, if it makes you feel something great, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Again, it’s just so liberating, in totally different ways.
Do you think Flood’s influence has changed the mood of the album?
Ed: The mood was already there from the start. I’m trying not to analyse it too much. Overall, It’s just a bigger, wider, more epic sound...I guess, it’s hard to explain. But I’m very excited about it.
Are you planning to stick around after your Latitude set on Friday?
Ed: No, no. I’m just gonna have a drink watch Femi Kuti, see you guys and go back to London, I got kids.
You’re playing early on the first day, do you feel like crowds change depending on what time of day you play?
Ed: Hopefully they’ll be eager little bunnies. I’ll break them in gently.
How do you feel about potentially being the introduction to some people’s first Latitude?
Ed: No pressure! I’ll make sure I’m wearing fancy shoes and a frilly shirt, see how it goes.
You joined The Libertines onstage at their Glastonbury secret set, how did that day come about for you?
Ed: I kinda got a call the day before, pretty much. Carl is very much family, we’ve known each other for a long time. Basically, he said ‘do you want to come down?’ and I said ‘sure’. I learned the song on the train so it was definitely a baptism by fire. I didn’t really have time to shit myself.
So what’s the plan for the rest of the year?
Ed: We need to finish mixing the record and then in October, I’m working on an gig of covers of Lee Hazelwood so that’s going to be with Josh T Pearson and Caitlin Rose and lots of great people and then there’s my friend Gideon from Joe Gideon and The Shark who’s got a really great solo album so I’m gonna rock up play piano with him and just try not to get in trouble.
Ed Harcourt plays the Latitude's main stage Obelisk Arena on Friday 17 July.
This weekend's Latitude Festival at Henham Park in Suffolk will also be headlined by Noel Gallagher and Alt-J, while also seeing performances from Manic Street Preachers, James Blake, Laura Marling, Caribou, The Vaccines, Wolf Alice, Years & Years, and many many more. For Latitude tickets and more information, visit here.
