Photo: Danny Payne
Latitude 2014 got underway under scorching sunshine and a run of performances from the likes of Kelis, Temples, Jimi Goodwin, Billy Bragg and many more today (Friday 18 July).
Proceedings began as Sheffield's finest Slow Club opened the Obelisk Arena. Playing a set lifted heavily from their most recent album, Complete Surrender, which came out on Monday (a fact principle vocalist Rebecca Taylor mentions on numerous occasions), Slow Club's new material reflects a more polished-mature sound than has been evident on their first two records. This is no more evident than on the impeccable melancholy jazz of the 'Queen's Nose' which, with the help of Guillemots lynchpin Fyfe Dangerfield on bass, elevates Taylor's sumptuous vocals into the stratosphere.
Despite the fact that 'Giving Up On Love' from first album Yeah So was absent (and which would have been tailor-made for the occasion), Slow Club were the perfect act to open 2014's the festival.
Over at the BBC 6 Music Stage, Gigwise caught Doves' frontman turned solo star Jimi Goodwin's set. "We do covers of a band called Doves", Goodwin joked before launching into 'The Last Broadcast'. 'Sulphur Man' was also in set but it was 'The Ghost of the Empties' from Goodwin's solo debut Odulek that really grabbed attention. Compared to some of his younger contemporaries on show today, Goodwin may be classed as something of an elder statesman - but on this evidence, he's never sounded so good.
Back at the Obelisk Arena, Bill Bragg played a set consisting of self-proclaimed Americana. Pedal steel and acoustic guitar combine effortlessly as Bragg and his band serenade the already frazzled looking audience with a selection of "country music for people that like the Smiths".
An unexpected highlight was 'Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key' from the criminally underrated Mermaid Avenue series that Bragg recorded with Chicago stalwarts, Wilco.
Icelandic multi-instrumentalist and ambient protégé Asgeir entertained the 6 Music tent with a combination of hushed, falsetto vocals and swirling sonic textures. "This burden weighs me down", he sings which, if taken literally, may explain his rather uneasy and at times timid stage presence - but Asgeir is certainly one to keep an eye on. His debut album, In The Silence, is already a highlight of recent years, and live he's only more mesmerising.
Perhaps it was the oppressive mid-afternoon heat, but the energy levels also seemed slightly subdued for The Phantom's Band gig over in the forest at the I Arena. Rick Anthony, frontman of the Celtic-infused indie five piece, stalked the stage and before joining his band mates on guitar.
"This performance was brought to you courtesy of Mogwai", Anthony proclaims later in the set, explaining that the band "hadn't had the best 24 hours" as they'd had all of their equipment stolen, hence the reason they were borrowing fellow Scots Mogwai's guitars.
Given the circumstances, The Phantom Band performed admirably.
Temples not only look like a "proper" rock 'n' roll band (think The Velvet Underground crossed with T Rex) but thankfully they sound like one too, which may go some way to explain the band's meteoric ascent to prominence.
"Two years ago to the day we came to Latitude having written our first two songs", James Bagshaw informs the audience, reinforcing the speed at of the Kettering band's rise to popularity. Set highlights included the title track from the excellent debut, Sun Structures.
A live performance from Swedish seven piece Goat is a remarkable sight, and quite unlike anything that we've seen before - especially in the serene fields of Latitude. So much so, that it's almost impossible to articulate through the written word what was witnessed on the 6 Music Stage. This wasn't a performance; this was a fancy dress, carnival, freak-folk extravaganza. A bass player dressed in a burka was one of the more conservative costumes on show as the band justified their reputation as one of the most esoteric and eccentric bands around today.
It's doubtful that any live performance this summer will match Goat's for energy- see them.
Meanwhile, over on the Obselisk Stage, Kelis proved why she's the perfect festival act. You'd struggle to have more fun with your clothes on - and the sight of the sun-kissed, blissed-out festival fans twerking and losing their minds to 'Milkshake', 'Trick Me' and 'Friday Fish Fry' is a memory that will last with us. All together now: "I need ICE. COLD. WATER"
Latitude day one concludes with sets from Anna Calvi, Crystal Fighters, Slowdive, Mogwai, Editors, surprise act Rudimental and last-minute headliner Lily Allen. Check back at Gigwise for a full report of the day's finale.
The festival continues with performances from Damon Albarn, Bombay Bicycle Club, First Aid Kit, Royksopp & Robyn and many more. Check back at Gigwise for the latest news, reviews, photos and more from Latitude 2014.
Below: Exclusive photos from day one of Latitude 2014
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