Glasvegas, Seasick Steve, Iron and Wine and Dog is Dead Apr 05, 2011
Visually stunning, awe-inspiring and mind-expanding – Latitude Festival just gets better and better with these new additions:
The roaring down tempo swarm of Scottish quartet Glasvegas seduced the world in 2008 with their critically acclaimed and platinum selling eponymous debut album which received a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize a year after its release. They also played Latitude in the same year where new fans Blondie watched in awe from the sidelines. They return this year armed with second album 'EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\ ' which sees the band incorporate spoken word into their cresting, shoegaze-inspired rock. This long awaited return will be a soaring and phenomenal comeback.
America’s most famous former busker Seasick Steve has been spinning yarns upon impulsive-sounding 12-bar blues since his pre-teens. Drawing on his early life (before hitting the big time in the UK after his appearance on Jools Holland’s ‘Annual Hootenanny’ in 2006) his ramshackle blend of rock and blues using old and homemade instruments has hit a chord with a huge audience. Following last year's stop gap EP 'Songs For Elisabeth', Seasick Steve is due to release his fifth album 'You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks'. Be sure to be part of the crowd and join in the boot-stomping frenzy!
Singer songwriter Samuel Beam, or Iron & Wine to his legions of fans, has consistently delivered a fine body of hush-voiced folk and Americana. From his debut on legendary label Sub Pop, 'The Creek Drank the Cradle', to this year's excellent 'Kiss Each Other Clean', each album is soaked in lantern-lit strums and Samuel's throaty whisper. This year's release sees lilting melodies coming more to the fore, with less of the organic twang of the past and more of the propulsive simplicity that will grasp an audience and throw them into a spontaneous choir, perfect for Iron & Wine's soothing lullabies.
Dog Is Dead hail from Nottingham; formed in 2007 the band has played various festivals and supported bands of the calibre of Ok Go, Cajun Dance Party and One Night Only. They released their first two singles last year with a third - ‘River Jordan’ to complete the trilogy in March. Both 'Glockenspiel Song' and 'Young' have been featured on popular E4 drama ‘Skins’. Their almost gospel like, vocal-led indie is uplifting and harmonious making these new kids on the block ones to look out for!
Also playing in the Music Arenas over the weekend is a fantastic mix of burgeoning acts and household names including: one of the final performances by Bright Eyes, the euphoric noise of Deerhunter, Bellowhead, Everything Everything, Wanda Jackson, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, the magnificent Eels, Esben & the Witch, Gold Panda, French soundtrack master Yann Tiersen and The Cribs to name just a few.